Figure 1From: Intra-articular hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) and hylans for the treatment of osteoarthritis: mechanisms of actionSeveral factors contribute to the breakdown and synthesis of cartilage. In osteoarthritis (OA), the balance between cartilage degradation and synthesis leans toward degradation. BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; bFGF, basic fibroblastic growth factor; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; IL, interleukin; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; PG, proteoglycan; TGF, transforming growth factor; TIMP, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.Back to article page