Additive effects of intra-articular injection of growth hormone and hyaluronic acid in rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis.
In a rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis, the additive effects of intra-articular recombinant human growth hormone (GH) administration to hyaluronic acid (HA) were evaluated. After intra-articular collagenase injection, mature New Zealand white rabbits (n=30) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control rabbits) received once weekly intra-articular saline injections for 4 weeks. Group 2 rabbits received 6 mg HA injections, and group 3 rabbits were injected with 6 mg HA and 3 mg recombinant human GH. These injections were initiated 4 weeks after collagenase injections. Lameness was observed for 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Macroscopic and histopathological knee joint findings were also evaluated at the end of 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Although all animals had lameness after collagenase injections, the duration and severity of lameness were significantly shorter and less severe in group 3 than group 1 and 2 (P<0.01). Macroscopic scores showed that femoral condyles of group 3 rabbits received significantly less cartilage damage than those of groups 1 and 2 rabbits (P<0.01). Histopathological score was also the lowest in group 3 (P<0.01). These results suggest that co-injection of intra-articular HA and recombinant human GH is more effective than HA injections alone in an osteoarthritis model.
Kim
Sang Beom
SB
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Kwon
Dong Rak
DR
Kwak
Hyun
H
Shin
Yong Beom
YB
Han
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Lee
Jong Hwa
JH
Choi
Seok Hwa
SH
D000818:Animals; D017364:Collagenases; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D017364:Collagenases