title: Hyaluronan in joint disease.
abstract: Hyaluronan is a major component of synovial fluid. It is synthesized in the joint and partly degraded in joint capsule and partly carried by lymph to lymph nodes and the general circulation. During various joint disorders, especially inflammatory ones, the amount of hyaluronan in the joint and its turnover rate are increased leading to pathologically high serum levels of the polysaccharide. These levels are a complex function of synovitis mass and the physical activity of the patient. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronan has been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Although it results in a relief of pain, controlled clinical trials have not yet convincingly shown any beneficiary effects of the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Engström-Laurent
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid