Summary
A randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial was performed to determine the effects
of intravenous (IV) administration of hyaluronan sodium (HA) on serum glycosaminoglycans
(GAG) concentrations, synovial fluid (SF) hyaluronan concentrations and viscosity
in dogs treated for unilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Twenty-two
dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy were used in this study. Synovial
fluid from both stifles and serum were collected prior to surgery and at 2, 4, and
8 weeks following surgery. Dogs received either 1.0 ml (10 mg) of sodium hyaluronate
(treatment group 1; n = 10) or equal volume of 0.9% NaCl (treatment group 2; n = 12),
IV immediately, 2 and 4 weeks following surgery. Synovial fluid viscosity was evaluated
using a magnetically driven, acoustically tracked, translating-ball rheometer. Synovial
fluid HA disaccharide content was measured by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis.
Serum GAG concentrations were measured by alcian blue spectrophotometric assay. Data
were analyzed using a Wilcoxon sign rank test (p<0.05). Mean ± SD viscosity (cP) was
significantly higher (p=0.011) in SF obtained from the intact stifle (450 ± 604.1)
than injured (54.8 ± 60.8) prior to surgery. Mean ± SD HA concentrations (ug/ml) were
significantly higher (p=0.02) in synovial fluid obtained from the injured stifles
(281.4 ± 145.9) than intact stifles (141.6 ± 132.5). No significant difference was
noted within or between treatment groups in SF viscosity, HA concentrations, or serum
GAG concentrations at any time following surgery. Stifles with cranial cruciate ligament
insufficiency had significant alterations in SF viscosity and HA concentrations.
Keywords
Hyaluronic acid - synovial fluid - osteoarthritis