title: Hyaluronic acid suppresses fibronectin fragment mediated cartilage chondrolysis: II. In vivo.
abstract: Intra-articular sodium hyaluronic acid (HA) has been used as a treatment intervention in the management of osteoarthritis. It has been observed that HA can coat the articular surface, and thus, has been suggested to provide a possible prophylactic barrier for the articular cartilage. In an accompanying manuscript (Homandberg et al.), we report that a commercially available high-molecular-weight HA (approximately 800-kDa, ARTZ, Seikagaku Corp.) can partially block fibronectin fragment (Fn-f)-mediated cartilage injury in vitro. Herein we report a study of the effects of intra-articular HA on an in vivo animal model of Fn-f-mediated cartilage injury. Rabbit knees were injected with Fn-f, and after 1 week, the cartilage proteoglycan (PG) content had decreased to 59 +/- 8% of control. In sharp contrast, PG content in knees receiving pre-treatment with HA followed by Fn-f injection had only decreased to 85 +/- 27% of control (P < 0.01). Similarly, the PG content in knees receiving an injection of Fn-f, followed by an injection of HA were significantly higher (74 +/- 18% of control) than Fn-f injured knees with no treatment (P < 0.02). Intra-articular HA alone had no effect on cartilage PG content. The results in this study suggest that HA is effective in partially preventing Fn-f mediated cartilage injury, most likely by coating the articular surface. Further, HA treatment after Fn-f injury may facilitate restoration of matrix components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Rush Medical College, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612-3864, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Plaza
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kuettner
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Homandberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid