Macromolecules cartilage

Figure 1. Articular cartilage is partitioned in three phases, one solid phase and two fluid phases. Each fluid phase contains several species. Some of these species are exchangeable, at least partially water and ions can enter and leave the intrafibrillar space defined by collagen fibrils. Proteoglycans which are macromolecules are too large to be admitted into that space, at least in absence of osteo-arthritis. Water and ions can also be exchanged between the extrafibrillar phase and the exterior.

Proteins can be divided into two main types, based on their overall shape. Fibrous proteins, as their name implies, have fiberlike structures and are used for structure or support. They are found, for example, in collagen (skin, tendon cartilage, fish scales), elastin (connective tissue), and keratins (silk, feathers, horn, and hair). They are tough and insoluble macromolecules, often having several a-helical chains wound together into ropelike bundles. 

In primary cultures, articular chondrocytes grown in an artificial matrix after digestion of the original one, maintain their characteristic synthesis and turnover rate of cartilage matrix macromolecules... 

Although proteins are large molecules they are small compared with a cell and even with supramolecular structures which may be part of a cell, such as plasma and organelle membranes, ribosomes, chromosomes, filaments, enzyme complexes and viruses (Chap. 1). Supramolecular structures are also prominent outside cells and are, for example, essential components of connective tissues such as tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone. Supramolecular structures can consist of a variety of different types of molecule from the small (such as membrane lipids) to macromolecules (such as proteins, DNA and RNA). 

The evidence for a pathophysiological role of oxidants in connective tissue injury is not confined to oxidative damage to the component macromolecules. Since there is reasonable indirect evidence that ROIs are released into the articular joint space during inflammation, it is likely that ROIs released from inflammatory cells which are adherent to or in contact with the articular cartilage surface might also damage the cellular components of articular cartilage. 

As known, the macroscopic load-deformation or stress-strain and stress relaxation characteristics of any polymeric material, during and following deformation, are a consequence of the mean molecular motions of its chains ( ). These properties are additionally affected In the case of cartilage by the following (1) many of the tissue s macromolecules are associated In a variety of fibrous and other arrays (7 ) (2) the tissue Is both... 

Hemostats wound dressings cartilage repair soft-tissue augmentation Drug and biologically active macromolecule delivery soft- and hard-tissue augmentation... 

Proteins are macromolecules present in all living cells. About 50% of your body s dry mass is protein. Some proteins are structural components in animal tissues they are a key part of skin, nails, cartilage, and muscles. Other proteins catalyze reactions, transport oxygen, serve as hormones to regulate specific body processes, and perform other tasks. Whatever their function, all proteins are chemically similar, being composed of smaller molecules called amino acids. 

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