CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE CRYSTAL-FORMATION IN MODEL HYDROGELS .2. HYALINE ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE AS A GEL

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (3) , 451-455
Abstract
Calcium pyrophosphate crystal formation was studied in an in vitro cartilage system. Two parallel troughs were excavated in [human] tibial plateau articular cartilage obtained postmortem. One well was filled with solid sodium pyrophosphate, the other with calcium chloride. After incubation for 24 h at 10.degree. or 37.degree. C, the precipitate band between the troughs was analyzed for the size and nature of crystals present. In subsequent experiments the cartilage was pretreated by laceration, contusion, trypsin or hyaluronidase denaturation. Cartilage denaturation resulted in formation of larger crystals but the crystal product in all experiments was identical, .alpha.CaNa2P2O7.cntdot.4H20, a nonphysiologic crystal.