Effects of salicylates and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on articular cartilage.

According to in vivo experimental data, salicylates and several other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents suppress proteoglycan biosynthesis in normal and degenerating articular cartilage. Therapeutic levels of aspirin in vivo had a similar adverse effect on degenerating cartilage, as noted in two canine models of osteoarthritis and cartilage atrophy. Because the effective daily antirheumatic dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is lower than that of salicylates, these drugs may have less negative effects on degenerating articular cartilage. However, clinical significance cannot be extrapolated from these experimental data.