[Changes in biochemical characteristics of collagen and the cartilage water in osteoarthritis].

The stability of collagen molecules and moisture capacity of human normal and osteoarthrotic (OA) cartilage were studied before and after extraction of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) by 4M guanidinum chloride. The content and nature of water were determined by Fisher titration, DSC and analysis of sorbtion-desorbtion processes of water vapour in cartilage. The stability of collagen molecules was determined by the degree of enzymatic hydrolysis: collagenase, pronase and pepsin.

[Water-exchange processes in hyaline cartilage and its basic components in a normal state and in osteoarthritis].

The content of different forms of tissue water was studied in the normal articular cartilage and osteoarthrosis cartilage and its structural components: collagen, potassium hyaluronate, sodium chondroitinsulphate and its complexes. In the components of cartilage matrix a few of fractions of bound water different in the strength of binding are present. At the maximal humidity, all water in collagen binds with the active groups of biopolymers and in the glycosaminoglycans, in addition to bound water, are present, two crystal forms of freezing water (free water) at least.