Hyaluronic acid synthesis in articular cartilage: an inhibition by hydrogen peroxide.

The synthesis of hyaluronic acid by bovine articular cartilage in culture was inhibited after treatment with xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. Through the use of catalase, superoxide dismutase and the specific iron chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, the active species responsible for inhibition was shown to be hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide generated by glucose oxidase was also inhibitory. Some recovery of hyaluronic synthesis was evident after a further period of culturing. Proteoglycan synthesis was inhibited in parallel with hyaluronic acid synthesis.