The effect of additive hyaluronic acid on animal joints with experimentally reduced lubricating ability

Abstract

A series of in vitro experiments demonstrated a clear effect of additive hyaluronic acid (HA) on animal joints with experimentally reduced lubricating ability. Eleven canine hip joints were utilized and the experimental conditions tested were: i) intact joints, ii) after washing the joint surfaces, and iii) after adding 1% HA to them. The frictional coefficient of every joint increased after washing and subsequently decreased after adding HA. The mean values were 0.007 (SD 0.004) on the intact joints, 0.020 (SD 0.009) after washing, and 0.013 (SD 0.005) after the addition of HA. The differences between the three values of frictional coefficients were shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.01).

Boundary Lubrication in Natural Articular Joints

“…Washing the joint with PBS caused an increase in the friction coefficient to 0.0223 ± 0.0050 and scouring the surface of the cartilage with gauze resulted in a further increased to 0.0398 ± 0.0047 [13]. A similar friction behaviour was observed for cartilage sliding against cartilage in canine hip joints where the friction coefficient increased from 0.007 ± 0.004 in the intact joints to 0.020 ± 0.009 after washing [44]. Papain injection into rabbit stifles, the joint in the hindlimbs, in vitro also caused an increase in the friction coefficient from 0.0089 ± 0.0010 in the intact joints to 0.0131 ± 0.0024 following papain treatment [45].…”

“…This was attributed to the ability of the cartilage to maintain a fluid-film when sliding against cartilage. However, when the friction coefficients are compared to those measured by others, it appears that not only the superficial layer, but also the articular surface may be removed during sliding in Ringer's solution [13,14,44,45,49].…”

Lubrication of the Temporomandibular Joint

“…2). 54,94,97,98 This coefficient may increase due to deterioration in the lubrication mechanism. 16,18,94 This mechanism is primarily dependent on the synovial fluid, where HA is considered to be the primary effective constituent.…”

“…16,18,94 This mechanism is primarily dependent on the synovial fluid, where HA is considered to be the primary effective constituent. 98,141 However, the composition of the lubricant may change upon joint loading, because then it mixes with water, which is exuded out of the cartilaginous tissue when it is compressed. 55 A number of studies are available concerning joint lubrication, which strongly suggest that SAPLs provide highly efficient boundary lubrication and act as protectors of the articular surfaces (Fig.…”

Physiology and pathology of the equine joint

“…When loads are lower, lubrication is effectuated via the "boundary" lubrication system in which special molecules such as lubricin play a role. Research demonstrating unchanged coefficients of friction after hyaluronidase treatment of synovial fluid suggests that HA has no place in cartilage-on-cartilage lubrication (Mabuchi et al 1994).…”