title: Biochemical effect of intra-articular injections of high molecular weight hyaluronate in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyze the biochemical characteristics of synovial fluids after treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with intra-articularly injected hyaluronate (HA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind study, 13 patients received intra-articular injections of 1% HA in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) while 13 other patients were injected 0.01% HA in PBS, as the control group. Injections were administered once a week for five weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical efficacy and characteristics of synovial fluid were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant clinical improvement was observed in the HA-treated group compared to the control group. The viscosity of retained synovial fluid increased. Stringing and HA concentration increased significantly whereas the concentrations of protein and chondroitin sulfate 4 and 6 decreased significantly. The HA molecular weight remained the same in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-articular HA injection altered the properties of synovial fluid and proved efficacious for patients with RA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. matsuno@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuno
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yudoh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002807:Chondroitin