Enzymatic degradation of proteoglycans is increased

NEET PG Orthopaedics
#1

Which of the following statements about changes in articular cartilage with aging is not true -

  1. Total proteoglycan content is decreased
  2. Synthesis of proteoglycans is decreased
  3. Enzymatic degradation of proteoglycans is increased
  4. Total water content of cartilage is decreased

explanation

Normal aging Vs osteoarthritic pathology of articular cartilage

Normally, many morphological changes take place as the articular cartilage undergoes aging.
Though aging is the most important risk factor for developing OA, many of the changes that occur with normal aging of articular cartilage are different from those seen in osteoarthritis.

So, though the aging is intimately connected to development of OA, the changes seen in articular cartilage are not the same as seen in normal aging.
Rather, A number of age related changes in articular cartilage make the tissue more susceptible to the development of the cartilage matrix damage that is characteristic of OA.
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