Alterations in the permeability of articular cartilage by proteolytic enzymes

Abstract

Electrolytes and proteins permeate articular cartilage at rates dependent on their molecular weight and charge. Cathepsin and trypsin are capable of increasing the permeability, but collagenase alone is not. Cartilage treated with cathepsin followed by treatment with collagenase has significantly increased permeability over cartilage treated by one enzyme alone. In addition, it may be postulated that enzyme‐induced increases in the permeability of cartilage may alter the flow of materials within the matrix, possibly leading to a leaching‐out of essential metabolites or altering its physical properties. This may be of significance in the pathogenesis of the degradation of cartilage.