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Table 3 Effects of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) and hylans on inflammatory mediators

From: Intra-articular hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) and hylans for the treatment of osteoarthritis: mechanisms of action

Effect

Reference

Experimental model; treatment

MW-dependent

Dose-dependent

Reduced levels of prostaglandins and leukotriene

Hirota et al., 1998 [72]

Human synovial fluid of temporomandibular joint before and after injection of HA (2 injections 2 weeks apart)

N/A

N/A

Decreased levels of PGE2

Goto et al., 2001 [73]

Synovial fluid of RA patients collected after five weekly HA injections

N/A

N/A

Lowered IL-1-induced PGE2 production

Yasui et al., 1992 [71]

Human synovial cells from an OA patient; various MWs and doses of HA

Yes

Yes

Stimulated cAMP production; decreased levels of PGE2

Punzi et al., 1989 [74]

Synovial fluid of patients with knee-joint effusion before and after injection of HA

N/A

N/A

Reduced expression of IL-1 and stromelysin

Takahashi et al., 1999 [23]

Rabbit ACL transection; five weekly injections of HA 4 weeks PS; observations 9 weeks PS

N/A

N/A

Suppressed production of TNF-α

Comer et al., 1996 [67]

Atrophied canine articular cartilage; HA with or without TGF-β every 4 days from day 56 to day 92

N/A

N/A

Increased production of TIMP-1, the MMP inhibitor; reduced ratio of stromelysin to TIMP-1

Yasui et al., 1992 [68]

Bovine articular chondrocytes; HA of various MWs

Yes

N/A

Decreased plasminogen activator activity and antigen

Nonaka et al., 2000 [24]

Synovial fibroblasts of OA and RA patients; various doses of HA in vitro

N/A

No

 

Nonaka et al., 1999 [69]

Synovial fluid collected from OA patients before and after injection of HA

N/A

N/A

Reduced arachidonic acid release

Tobetto et al., 1992 [70]

Synovial cells of OA patients; various MWs and doses of HA

Yes

Yes

Exhibited antioxidant effects

Fukuda et al., 2001 [77]

Bovine articular chondrocytes; various doses of HA

N/A

Yes

 

Fukuda et al., 1997 [78]

Bovine chondrocytes; various doses of HA

N/A

Yes

 

Moseley et al., 2002 [75]

In vitro oxidation assay

Yes

Yes

Protected cells from damage due to hydroxyl radicals

Presti & Scott, 1994 [80]

Chicken embryo fibroblasts; various MWs and doses of HAs

Yes

Yes

Reduced NO production

Takahashi et al., 2001 [81]

Rabbit ACL transection; five weekly HA injections 4 weeks PS; meniscus and synovial NO production assessed in vitro 9 weeks PS

  
  1. ACL, anterior cruciate ligament; HA, hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid); IL-1, interleukin-1; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; MW, molecular weight; NO, nitric oxide; OA, osteoarthritis; PGE2, prostaglandin E2 ; PS, postsurgery; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta; TIMP-1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha.
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Arthritis Research & Therapy

ISSN: 1478-6362

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