Pentosan polysulfate (Cartrophen) prevents the hydrocortisone induced loss of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans from cartilage of rabbit joints as well as normalizes the keratan sulfate levels in their serum

Kongtawelert P, Brooks PM, Ghosh P · The Journal of Rheumatology

PPS prevented steroid-induced loss of cartilage proteoglycan and hyaluronic acid and normalized serum keratan sulfate — early evidence of a chondroprotective mechanism.

Population

Rabbits receiving intra-articular hydrocortisone

Intervention

PPS 5 mg intra-articular weekly for 8 weeks alongside hydrocortisone

Comparator

Hydrocortisone alone; saline

Limitations

1989 study from the group that later commercialized PPS for animals; steroid-injury model, not OA.