[Plasminogen activator activity of the synovial fluid as an indicator of activation phenomena in degenerative joint diseases]. / Die Plasminogenaktivator-Aktivität der Synovialflüssigkeit als Indikator für Aktivierungsphänomene bei degenerativen Gelenkerkrankungen.

Activity of plasminogen activator in synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis was determined by a radial diffusion assay. Synovial fluid from human knee joints was obtained by joint lavage with 35 ml physiological saline containing 0.5% hydroxyethyl starch. Synovial fluids from contralateral, healthy knee joints served as controls. The activity of plasminogen activator in synovial fluid from activated (painful) osteoarthritis is significantly higher than in cases of latent osteoarthritis, whereas the activity of controls is significantly lower as in latent osteoarthritis. The findings are helpful for the discovery of patients with enhanced plasminogen activator levels in synovia which should be treated therapeutically.

The influence of mechanical loading on the knee-joint. Animal-experimental examinations.

A physiological maximal loading of the knee-joint of sheep is simulated by a 4-hour peak overloading of 24.5 N and a frequency of 42 impulses per minute. The reactions of articular cartilage, synovia and periarticular muscular tissue to the load were examined histologically, histochemically and biochemically. 20 hours after the loading we could observe a leucocytic influx into the joint and a metabolic hyperactivity in the examined tissue. The changes found during this acute phase are reversible as 180 days after peak overloading the parameters detected to be changed had returned to normal again.

[Monoiodoacetic acid-induced arthropathy of the rabbit knee--a contribution to the pathogenesis of arthrosis]. / Die Monojodazetat-induzierte Arthropathie am Kaninchenknie--Ein Beitrag zur Pathogenese der Arthrose.

A chemically-induced joint degeneration was produced by an one-time intraarticular injection of the glycolysis inhibitor monoiodic acetate into the rabbit knee joint (32 joints of 16 rabbits + 4 control animals). The investigation is founded on Kalbhen's animal model of osteoarthrosis and on Salter's and Moskowitz' experiments. Histomorphological examinations were done in intervals of 1 day to 12 weeks. The results raise several open questions in experimental as well as clinical aspects. On that account these results were discussed pathogenetically in the view of the own pathophysiological and biocybernetical conception of osteoarthrosis development.

[Risk of hemorrhage in the knee joint following intraarticular injections]. / Das Blutungsrisiko in das Kniegelenk nach intraartikulären Injektionen.

The relative and absolute blood contents in the knee joint after intraarticular injections were determined using a biochemical joint function test. Normally, only minimal amounts of blood leak into the joint cavity, but in a few cases greater quantities were found, unnoticed at the time of injection. Intraarticular injections should be done only by a specialist.

[Pathophysiologic aspects of inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases]. / Pathophysiologische Aspekte entzündlicher und degenerativer Gelenkerkrankungen.

Authors describe the physiological particularities of components of articular system (cartilage, synovialis, synovia, subchondral bone, ligamentous and neuromuscular apparatus). The essential resultant pathophysiological pattern in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are demonstrated. Differences between temporary attendant synovitis in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are pointed out.

Myopathy induced by clofibrate treatment in normolipaemic patients.

On the basis of the occurrence of myopathy in a clofibric acid treated child with diabetes insipidus, three other children with the same diseases were examined in order to find indications for a myopathic side-effect of the drug. When the children were found to have increased creatine phosphokinase activity and EMG changes, two of the authors took clofibric acid themselves. In both test persons subclinical myopathy was produced. After stopping the drug, transitional hypertriglyceridaemia occurred. These side-effects should serve as a warning of an uncritical application of clofibric acid and its esters.

[Cryogenic injuries of the rabbit abdominal aorta and the iliac artery]. / Zum Kryoeffekt an der Aorta abdominalis und der Arteria iliaca des Kaninchens

In rabbits, cryogenic injuries of the walls of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries were histologically examined after application of a cryoprobe ob -160 degrees C for 1 minute. Seven days thereafter the animals were killed. Extended partial and circular necroses and calcifications of the vascular walls were found. The alterations were less expressed when the blood stream was maintaimed during the freezing. Maximal changes occured at additional centripetal pinching the vessels.