CHONDROITIN SULFATE CONCENTRATION AND PROTEIN-POLYSACCHARIDE COMPOSITION OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS*

Abstract
There is no decrease in chondroitin-sulfate concentration in normal cartilage with increasing age. A decreased chondroitin-sulfate concentration was found in osteoarthritic cartilage (more marked in the more severe lesions). Collagen concentrations remained unchanged. The polysaccharide content of the cartilage protein-polysaccharide complex was decreased in osteoarthritic lesions, but the protein concentration was unchanged. The biochemical findings suggest excessive breakdown of polysaccharide in osteoarthritic lesions, apparently due to a hyaluronidase-like enzyme.