H-1, NA-23, AND C-13 MR SPECTROSCOPY OF CARTILAGE DEGRADATION IN-VITRO

Viable bovine nasal cartilage was examined with magnetic resonance (MR ) spectroscopy. Digestion of the proteoglycan matrix by papain or tryp sin was accompanied by substantial changes in carbon-13, sodium-23, an d hydrogen-1 MR spectra and relaxation parameters, with C-13 MR spectr a showing the most pronounced changes. These results indicate the pote ntial of MR spectroscopy (and imaging) for noninvasive evaluation of c artilage disease and monitoring of patients with degenerative joint di seases.