The effect of strontium and manganese on freshly isolated chondrocytes

The effect of Strontium (Sr) and Manganese (Mn) was studied on freshly isolated chondrocytes obtained from costal cartilage of young male rats. Cells isolated from rats rendered rachitic by oral exposure to Sr or Mn exhibited a decreased synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and collagen as judged by incorporation of 35SO4 and 3H proline. In vitro exposure of chondrocytes from untreated (control) animals to Sr or Mn at concentrations comparable to those found in cartilage from Sr and Mn rachitic rats, lowered the O2 consumption in both groups, but only Sr had any influence on the other parameters studied.