The in vivo effects of naproxen on canine experimental osteoarthritic articular cartilage: composition, metalloproteinase activities and metabolism.

A canine experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA), generated by arthroscopic transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee, was used to investigate the in vivo effects of the NSAID naproxen on the course of cartilage degeneration. The drug was given at the time of surgery, or from before surgery, and for 16 weeks after surgery. Analysis of the articular cartilage showed the naproxen was able to significantly suppress the decrease in proteoglycan content and metalloproteinase activities. The results indicate that pharmaceutical agents have the potential to modulate the progression of degenerative joint disease.