Morphologische Untersuchungen zur Struktur degenerativer Gelenkläsionen beim Kaninchen ohne und mit Behandlung mit GAG-Peptid-Komplex (GAG-Pep)

Abstract The effect of the GAG-peptide-complex Rumalon was studied following partial meniscectomy in 12 rabbits, one half of which received the drug and the other half a placebo. The osteoarthrosis model according to Moskowitz shows pathologic anatomical changes in the articular cartilage conforming to those of human osteoarthrosis, and is therefore suitable for therapeutic studies. 12 weeks after the operation on the right knee the articular cartilage was subjected to gross examination with a stereoscopic magnifier after staining by the Indian ink method. In the qualitative assessment by index evaluation the treated animals already showed somewhat less marked surface changes, a smaller proteoglycan loss and less disruption of the collagen structure. A quantitative comparison of the cartilage changes based on the cartilage thickness measured in systematic sampling and the chondrocyte density (number of cells/mm 2 ) showed a thicker cartilage layer and a greater cell density in the treated animals. In the control animals the measured values were considerably lower in the lesioned right knee than in the contralateral joint. In the treated animals the reduction in cell density observed in comparison between the right and left sides was less marked than in the control animals, and the average cartilage thickness was unchanged. Thus in this comparison Rumalon showed itself to have a statistically unequivocal protective action against the degenerative process.