In vitro effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on proteoglycanase and collagenase activity in human osteoarthritic cartilage.

The effects of several nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, used at concentrations achievable in synovial fluid, on human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage metallo-protease activity in vitro was studied. Acetaminophen and ketoprofen had no effect; sodium salicylate, indomethacin, and diclofenac slightly decreased proteoglycanase activity. Piroxicam and tenoxicam suppressed proteoglycanase activity by 48.2% and 68.3%, respectively, and suppressed collagenase activity by 19.1% and 36.8%, respectively. Use of these NSAIDs may help to decrease cartilage catabolism in patients with OA.