Effect of Sodium Hyaluronate on Osteoarthrosis in Rabbit Model

골관절증이 유발된 토끼에서 Sodium Hyaluronate의 효과

Osteoarthrosis was induced in rabbit knees through resecton of anterior cruciate ligament. Sodium hyaluronate (1%) was administerated into articular space at the dose levels of 0.1 mg/kg once a week using 1ml sylinge and 26G needle for test groups. Saline was administrated for control groups. After 6 and 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed to conduct macroscopic observation and histopathologic examination. The articular lesions were evaluated and test groups were compared with control groups. No significant differencies were showed between test groups and control groups at macroscopic observation in both 6- and 12- week groups. In histopathologic examination, control groups showed higher osteoarthrosis than test groups. The articular surfaces of control groups showed fibrillation, denudation, pannus formation and hypocellularity. The articular surfaces of test groups showed fibrillaton and hypercellularity. These indicate that sodium hyaluronate has inhibitory effects on osteoarthrosis at least in rabbit and could be used for treatment of osteoarthrosis.