Cultures of human rheumatoid synovial cells and rabbit articular chondrocytes were exposed to various concentrations of Etodolac (from 0.01 to 10 micrograms/ml) in presence or absence of 500 pg/ml (5 U/ml) human recombinant Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). Incubation of chondrocytes with Etodolac for 24 h did not alter collagen biosynthesis. In contrast, 1 micrograms/ml Etodolac caused a 20% increase of collagen production in synoviocytes. Addition of Etodolac in combination with IL-1 could partially suppress the inhibitory effect exerted by the cytokine on both cell types. Four-day exposure of chondrocytes to 0.1 and 1 micrograms/ml Etodolac led to an increased accumulation of collagen in the cell layer compartment. However, this treatment could not prevent the inhibitory effect of IL-1 on this collagen fraction. Treatment of synoviocytes for eight days with the same concentrations of Etodolac did not modify their collagen production but suppressed totally the inhibitory effect of IL-1. These data show that Etodolac is able to augment chondrocyte metabolism during a long term treatment. Moreover, under certain conditions, this drug can reduce or even suppress the IL-1-induced inhibition of collagen biosynthesis, a process that may take a part in the connective tissue alterations associated with osteoarticular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.