Piroxicam and poststeroidal damage of articular cartilage

The experiment was carried out in five groups of rats with 12 animals in each one. In three groups articular cartilage osteoarthrosis like damage was accomplished by intramuscular injection of Dexamethason once per week. The rest of animals with exception of the controls were given Piroxicam each day by gastric tube. In the group of rats receiving only Dexamethason we observed extensive destructive changes in the cartilage. In rats receiving Dexamethason and Piroxicam (mainly in the group with higher dosage) histological changes were significantly less than in the group receiving only steroid. The intensity of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) histochemical reactions were significantly higher. In the cartilage of rats receiving only Piroxicam degenerative changes were not found, and GAG contents were similar to the control group. Our results suggest an increase of GAG biosynthesis in articular cartilage after Piroxicam in experimental, poststeroidal damage.