Gustavo Hernandez Vidal  , Jorge R. Kawas Garza  , Rafael Ramirez Romero  , Luis E. Rodriguez Tovar  , Alicia M. Nevares Garza  , Francisco A. Mora Valdez  , Jesus J. Hernandez Escareno  , Elisabeth Davis  , Leo B. Jeffcott  , 
    Effects of Copper and Zinc on Cathepsin B Activity in Equine Articular Chondrocytes,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 8,Issue 5,
    2009,
    Pages 935-945,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2009.935.945,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2009.935.945)
    Abstract: The effects of copper and zinc on cathepsin B activity, chondrocytes behaviour and matrix turnover by articular cartilage were investigated <I>in vitro </I>using normal horse cartilage co-cultured with synovial tissue. Proteoglycan (PG) depletion was assessed by toluidine blue staining. Co-culture cartilage expressed elevated levels and activity of the PG-degrading enzyme cathepsin B. Copper but not zinc was able to reduce the depletion of PG and the enzyme activity induced by the synovial tissue.
    Keywords: Horse;cathepsin B;enzymatic activity;copper;zinc;chondrocytes;proteoglycan;articular cartilage and dyschondroplasia