Effects of cyclosporin on serum hyaluronan levels in collagen arthritis.

Serum hyaluronan (HA) levels were measured in a rat model of collagen arthritis using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Values became elevated as the arthritis developed, correlating with its severity. Daily subcutaneous treatment with cyclosporin at the dose of 25 mg/kg per day for fourteen days completely prevented anti-type II collagen antibody production and the serum HA increase as well as development of collagen arthritis. HA in the blood may thus provide a good quantitative marker for joint disease in rat collagen arthritis with potential as a tool for evaluation of drug efficacy in this experimental model.