Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Traumatic arthritis is a common cause of lameness in horses. One of different treatment alternatives of arthritis, is intra-articular injection with hyaluronan. As knowledge about pathophysiology of arthritis and function of hyaluronan is increasing, understanding grows about the mechanism of hyaluronan action in joints. Hyaluronan has, in addition to effects on viscosity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Extensive research and scientific studies have been made on exogenous hyaluronan. Still, there are questions to be answered about e.g. the importance of molecular weight on hyaluronan effect. Some scientific results say that higher molecular weight hyaluronan has an extended duration in the joint, compared to lower molecular weights. No studies on a product containing hyaluronan molecules with size > 10 × 106 Da, have earlier been made.

A new product with a much higher molecular weight content than existing hyaluronan products, has been manufactured. Intra-articular treatment of traumatic arthritis with hyaluronan often needs to be repeated. The purpose of the new product, called "Hyaluronsyra X", is to have a longer duration in the joint, and fewer treatments of traumatic arthritis to be needed than with other products. A pilot study was made on "Hyaluronsyra X". The concentration of hyaluronan in synovial fluid from test joints increased after injection with the product. High prevalence of mild side effects was observed. Manufacture and adminstration of the new product need to be improved, to reduce the side effect frequency, and make it easier to use. Not until then the clinical effects can be tested and evaluated.