Hyaluronan in horses: physiological production rate, plasma and synovial fluid concentrations in control conditions and following sodium hyaluronate administration.

Abstract

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an endogenous glycosaminoglycan used in the treatment of joint diseases, but medication control is required by horseracing authorities. Therefore, a medication control policy needs to be established.

OBJECTIVES:

To establish physiological plasma HA concentrations in post race horses, determine the HA endogenous production rate and document the disposition of HA after i.v. and intra-articular hyaluronic acid administration at recommended therapeutic doses.

METHODS:

Hyaluronan concentrations in plasma were determined using an ELISA specific test; concentrations in synovial fluid were determined using a radiometric binding assay.

RESULTS:

The overall mean plasma HA concentration in 120 post competition horses was 89 ng/ml. In a group of 6 experimental horses, synovial fluid control concentration was 328+/-112 microg/ml. After i.v. sodium hyaluronate administration (37.8 mg in toto), the terminal half-life was very short (43+/-29 mins) and after a delay of 3 h, the plasma concentration returned to control values. The endogenous HA production rate was 33-164 mg in toto per day, i.e. 1-4 times the recommended i.v. daily dose. Twenty-four hours after intra-articular administration, HA concentration was not significantly different from control values (328+/-112 microg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE:

Due to the rapid disappearance of HA from plasma after i.v. administration and from the joint after intra-articular administration, long-term detection needs a more appropriate approach to be developed.

• Authors: M A Popot, Y Bonnaire, J Guéchot, P L Toutain
• Journal: Equine veterinary journal (Equine Vet J) Vol. 36 Issue 6 Pg. 482-7 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 0425-1644 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15460071 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hyaluronic Acid

Topics

• Analysis of Variance
• Animals
• Cross-Over Studies
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (veterinary)
• Female
• Horses (blood, metabolism)
• Hyaluronic Acid (biosynthesis, blood, pharmacokinetics)
• Injections, Intra-Articular (veterinary)
• Injections, Intravenous (veterinary)
• Male
• Physical Conditioning, Animal (physiology)
• Radiometry
• Random Allocation
• Reference Values
• Synovial Fluid (chemistry)