Abstract
Objective—To investigate effects of the anti-arthritic agents hyaluronan and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) on inflammatory metabolism in cultured equine synoviocytes.
Sample Population—Synoviocytes cultured from samples obtained from the metacarpophalangeal joints of 4 horses.
Procedure—Equine synoviocytes were grown in monolayer culture. Synoviocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and simultaneously treated with various concentrations of hyaluronan or PSGAG for 48 hours. Three hyaluronan preparations were compared. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in culture medium were measured, using radioimmunoassay.
Results—The highest concentrations of hyaluronan and PSGAG tested inhibited PGE2 production.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Clinically achievable concentrations of hyaluronan and PSGAG inhibited PGE2 synthesis by cultured equine synoviocytes. This anti-inflammatory action may be a mechanism through which these agents exert anti-arthritic effects. The effect was obtained at concentrations that can be achieved by use of intra-articular, but not systemic, administration of hyaluronan or PSGAG. ( Am J Vet Res 2000;61:499–505)
