Influence of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid at early stage on articular cartilage cells apoptosis in elderly patients with articular injury

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid at early stage on articular cartilage cells apoptosis in elderly patients with articular injury. Methods A total of 89 elderly patients with articular injury from Jan. 2013 to Oct. 2014 were randomly divided into observation group and control group. In control group, 40 cases were treated with conventional surgery and anti-inflammatory therapy. In observation group, 49 cases were treated intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid added to conventional therapy. The apoptosis rate of articular cartilage cells, cell cycle and proliferation index were compared between the two groups. Results The apoptosis rate of articular cartilage cells was lower in observation group than in control group 〔(4.08±0.74)% vs. (6.41±0.54)%, t=16.403, P<0.001〕. The ratio of G0/G1 in articular cartilage cells was lower in observation group than in control group〔(83.5±3.5)% vs. (91.7±4.3)%, t=10.275, P<0.001〕. The ratios of S and G2/M and the proliferation index in articular cartilage cells were lower in control group than in observation group〔 (3.5±0.3)% vs. (8.2±2.4)%, (4.7±0.6)% vs. (8.5±1.8)% and (9.1±1.1)% vs. (16.7±1.9)%, t=12.293, 12.731 and 22.198, respectively, all P<0.001〕. Conclusions Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid at early stage decreases the apoptosis rate of articular cartilage cells, helps articular cartilage cells turnover and improves the recovery of articular injury in elderly patients. Key words: Hyaluronic acid; Cartilage, articular; Apoptosis