Distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in rabbit growth plate cartilage

Chondroitin-4-sulfate (C-4-S), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C-6-S) and keratan sulfate (KS) concentrations were measured in growth plate cartilage derived from rabbits of two different ages, and from three growth plate zones from rabbits of the same age. With increasing age, the concentration of C-4-S increased, C-6-S decreased and KS remained constant. There was no variation when three different growth plate zones were sampled. Radiosulfate uptake into chondroitan sulfate was also measured, and this showed an inverse relationship to concentration with increasing age.Research supported in part by a grant from the Western Chapter (Pennsylvania) Arthritis Foundation; Research Grant AMI 1382-04 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases; and the Orthopaedic Research Fund, The Hospital for Joint Diseases.