Fig. (7) Representative images of alcian blue staining. (A) Normal menisci (horizontal sections of the central portion of menisci) displayed minimal or very weak blue staining (top photos). In contrast, OA menisci (horizontal sections of the central portion of menisci) displayed moderate to strong blue staining (bottom photos). Scale bar: 200 µm. (B) Normal menisci (transverse sections of the entire meniscus) displayed minimal blue staining. OA menisci (transverse sections of the entire meniscus) displayed moderate to strong blue staining. The increase of proteoglycan staining in OA menisci compared to normal menisci was more prominent in the middle and deep zones than that in the surface zone. Scale bar: 2.5 mm.