The destruction of rabbit articular cartilage after intra-articular
injections of hydrocortisone acetate was investigated using histological,
biochemical, and tracer methods. Fissures and cysts increased in number as
increasing amounts of hydrocortisone were given. A linear decrease of
hexosamine to less than 50 per cent after twelve injections was accompanied
by insigificant changes in deoxyribonucleic acid and hydroxyproline
content. The synthesis of proteoglycans and proteins was reduced to
one-third, while the production of collagen dropped to less than one-fifth.
The changes in thymidine incorporation were not significant. Based on these
data, a model indicating the sequence of events which leads to joint
destruction after intra-articular injections of glucocorticoid is
proposed.