title: [The application of sodium hyaluronate in joint diseases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the physiological function of sodium hyaluronate in joints and its clinical applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Many literatures were reviewed and analysed on therapeutic mechanism and the application foreground of sodium hyaluronate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extrinsic sodium hyaluronate plays an important role in improving synovial fluid and protecting cartilages as well as suppressing inflammation, so it is used in the treatment of joint diseases such as knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or temporomandibular osteoarthritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sodium hyaluronate possesses a good applied prospect in joint diseases.
authors.affiliation: Shandong Institute of Biopharmaceutical, Jinan Shandong, P. R. China 250014.
authors.forename: Pei-xue
authors.initials: PX
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yan-li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Tian-min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid