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Horm Metab Res 1989; 21(1): 11-14
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1009138
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© Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart · New York

Hemoglobin as a Direct Inhibitor of Cartilage Growth In Vitro

Rena Vassilopoulou-Sellin, Caroline O. Oyedeji, Paulette L. Foster, Malynn M. Thompson, Naguib A. Saman
  • Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
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Publication History

1987

1988

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

Growth retardation is a feature of several diseases associated with chronic hemolysis (i. e., uremia and the hemoglobinopathies). Although the growth failure is undoubtedly multifactorial, circulating hemoglobin (Hb) may inhibit cartilage growth directly. We tested this hypothesis using the hypophysectomized rat costal cartilage sulfation bioassay and the embryonic chicken pelvic rudiment bioassay, both very sensitive to growth factors and growth inhibitors. In the rat bioassay, Hb produced a dose-dependent inhibition of both basal and normal rat serum (NRS)-stimulated 35SO4 uptake. In the chick bioassay, NRS stimulated cartilage growth as expected, but Hb severely inhibited both basal and NRS-stimulated growth. However, after the cartilages were preincubated with Hb for 2 days, subsequent exposure to NRS allowed them to resume growth at the same rate as cartilage exposed to NRS for the entire 5 days. The growth inhibition could be accounted for by the heme contained in Hb. We conclude that Hb produces a dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of cartilage growth and may contribute to the growth retardation associated with chronic hemolytic conditions.

Key-Words

Hemoglobin - Cartilage Growth Inhibition

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