The role of nitric oxide in articular cartilage damage

Different experimental approaches have been used to examine the role of nit ric oxide (NO) in cartilage degradation. Studies on cultured cartilage and isolated chondrocytes addressed the effects of endogenous and exogenous NO on cell function. Cartilage from arthritic joints was analyzed for evidence of NO production. Ln vivo studies used experimental models of arthritis an d mice with a gene knockout of inducible NO synthase to elucidate the role of NO in the pathogenesis of arthritis and cartilage destruction. This arti cle summarizes the results of these various lines of research and describes current concepts of the role of NO in cartilage biology and pathophysiolog y.