To compare prostaglandin production and cyclooxygenase activity in high-density primary cultures of chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis and from healthy controls.
Chondrocytes harvested from operative specimens obtained during hip or knee arthroplasty were cultured at a very high density for 48 h. Cyclooxygenase activity was evaluated based on prostaglandin E2 levels (radioimmunological assay) after addition of arachidonic acid. The chondrocytes were cultured with and without IL-1 beta and TNF alpha.
Prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase activity were significantly higher in cultures of chondrocytes from osteoarthritic than from healthy joints. Adding IL-1 beta to the osteoarthritic chondrocyte cultures further increased the high cyclooxygenase activity, whereas adding TNF alpha alone had no effect.
Cultured chondrocytes from osteoarthritic joints showed increased prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase activity.