... enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) formats [6,20-22] Although assays for measuring sulphated glycosaminoglycans (S-GAGs) are available, these assays not distinguish between synthesis and ... completely lost with regard to collagen type II synthesis, whereas proteoglycan synthesis was strongly attenuated In contrast, at the time of maximal aggrecanase activity, the proteoglycan loss was fully ... whereas proteoglycan synthesis was strongly attenuated Interestingly, even in the presence of extensive aggrecanase activities, cartilage degradation seems completely reversible Competing interests...