Revue du rhumatisme (Ed. française : 1993)
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Cultured rabbit joint chondrocytes were exposed to diacerhein (DAR : ART 50, Negma, 10(-6) to 10(-4) M), which has proved effective and safe when given for two months for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Experiments were performed with and without 500 pg/ml human recombinant interleukin-1 to determine whether diacerhein antagonizes the effects of this monokine. Glycosaminoglycan production was measured by 35S-sulfate incorporation followed by cetylpyridinium precipitation, collagen production by 3H-proline labeling and bacterial collagenase digestion, and collagenase production by determination of the amount of 3H-collagen that underwent degradation. ⋯ During these experiments, the medium's ability to break down collagen was consistently reduced by diacerhein, even in the presence of interleukin-1. These data demonstrate that diacerhein can reduce or even abolish interleukin-1-mediated enhancement of collagenase production by joint chondrocytes. This effect may lead to less erosion of cartilage in degenerative joint diseases.