Intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection and synovial prostaglandins in experimental immune synovitis.

In vitro studies suggest that synovial fluid hyaluronic acid may have a role in reducing joint inflammation. The effect of intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate in a model of experimental immune synovitis was assessed. In addition, tissue prostaglandin content of synovia with and without immune synovitis was compared. Intraarticular hyaluronic acid administered at 2 doses was not effective in reducing the induced inflammation. With immune synovitis there was an increase in the total synovial prostaglandins. When related to total prostaglandins, prostacyclin was decreased, prostaglandin F2 alpha and thromboxane were increased and prostaglandin E2 was the same in synovitis as compared to controls.