RADIOAUTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF S35O4 UPTAKE BY EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGE IN EXPERIMENTAL LATHYRISM

Abstract

Disturbances in the uptake of radiosulphate were observed in radioautographs of the epiphysis of rats made lathyritic by giving either beta-aminopropionitrile or semicarbazide. There was a decreased uptake of sulphate which became more marked as the lesions advanced and an increased uptake was noted as the lesions regressed when the rats were returned to a normal diet. In normal rats, the radio-sulphate shifted to the zone of calcifying cartilage by the 4th day postinjection and, by the 7th day, it was concentrated over the ossifying trabeculae. In lathyrism this shift was delayed and the radiosulphate image was still concentrated in the cartilage matrix at days 4 and 7 postinjection. It is believed these findings reflect a disturbance in the matrix acid mucopolysaccharides and an interference with endochondral growth in lathyrism.