Influence of an oversulphated heparinoid upon hyaluronate metabolism of the human synovial cell in vivo.

Glycosaminoglycans appear to affect proteoglycan metabolism of fibroblasts, human synovial cells, and chondrocytes under in vitro conditions. The influence of an oversulphated heparinoid (Arteparon) on hyaluronate metabolism of the human synovial lining cell was studied by in vivo experiments on human volunteers. A higher production of better polymerized hyaluronic acid was observed after repeated intraarticular injections of this heparinoid into the knees of 2 osteoarthritic patients. After a single injection a statistically significant rise of synovial fluid hyaluronate concentration was observed over 4 days. A higher molecular weight of this molecule was suspected in view of a significant increase of the anomalous viscosity index 2 and 4 days after intraarticular administration.