Objective: T o determine whether 17b-oestradiol (E2) modulates interleukin (IL) 1b-induced proteoglycan degradation in chondrocytes, and to analyse the part played by metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this process. Methods: Primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes were prepared and treated with 10 ng/ml IL1b combined or not with 0.1-10 nM E2. Neosynthesised proteoglycans (PGs) were evaluated after incorporation of [ 35 SO 4 ]sulphate and further analysed after chromatography on a Sepharose 2B column. Chondrocyte mRNA levels of aggrecan, MMP-1, -3, -13, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were studied by northern blot. MMP-1 activity was measured by zymography. MMP-1 gene transcription was studied by transient transfection of chondrocytes with an MMP-1-luciferase construct. Results: E2 modulated the IL1b-induced total sulphated PGs in rabbit articular chondrocytes, which decreased as the E2 concentration was increased. At a low concentration (0.1 nmol/l) E2 counteracts the IL1b-induced decrease in sulphated PG, while at high concentration (10 nmol/l) E2 enhances the IL1b effects. A biphasic E2 effect was also observed on IL1b-induced disaggregation of PG, 53-58 kDa gelatinolytic activity, and MMP-1, -3, and -13 mRNA levels. In contrast, E2 did not modify the level of aggrecan mRNA and had no effect on TIMP-1 mRNA expression. Finally, simultaneous addition of IL1b and E2 (0.1-10 nmol/l) did not modify IL1b-induced MMP-1-luciferase activity, suggesting that E2 effects probably occur at the post-transcriptional level of MMP gene expression. Conclusion: Oestrogen concentration may have an inverse effect on IL1b stimulated proteoglycan degradation and MMP production by chondrocytes. O steoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability. It is characterised by cartilage loss, subchondral sclerosis, cyst, and osteophyte formation. Although OA is a progressive and heterogeneous disorder of unknown aetiology, mechanical and genetic factors appear to have a major role.