Rhodamine B and 2-acetamido-1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-deoxy-4-fluoro-d-glucopyranose (F-GlcNAc) inhibit chondroitin/dermatan and keratan sulphate synthesis by different mechanisms in bovine chondrocytes

► F-GlcNAc and rhodamine B inhibit CS/DS and KS GAG synthesis in bovine cartilage. ► Inhibitors decreased GAG synthesis in chondrocyte monolayer and cartilage chip explant culture. ► F-GlcNAc decreased GAG chain size whereas rhodamine B decreased amount of GAG chains. ► Both inhibitors decreased the amount of CS/DS and KS GAG equally. ► Rhodamine B and F-GlcNAc have different mechanisms of action in reducing GAG synthesis.