[Estrogens and cartilage: an ex vivo ultrastructural study]

The ultrastructural change brought about by administration of oestrogens on articular cartilage were evaluated in the course of the present study. To this end 3 stabilized postmenopausal patients were selected who were to undergo bilateral hip prosthesis. After the first operation the patients were started on continuous estriol treatment by oral route for 6 months. For study purposes a cartilage fragment was obtained during the first (baseline time) operation and the second operation (final time, after 6 months of oestrogen therapy). The results of histologic examination of the semifine sections as well as the submicroscopic patterns of the various cell elements showed great similarity in all cases considered. Ultrastructure examination had evidenced signs of marked cell damage in the 3 initial samples. After treatment with oestrogens, chondrocyte metabolic activity was resumed, evidenced by the presence of extensive granular endoplasmic reticulum with hypertrophic cisternae, finely dispersed nuclear chromatin and more regular nuclear membrane. These findings would appear to support metabolic stimulation of articular cartilage by the oestrogens.