Additive Effects of Intra-articular Injection of Growth Hormone and Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Model of Collagenase-induced Osteoarthritis

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 776 - 780
• Main Authors: Kim, Sang Beom, Kwon, Dong Rak, Kwak, Hyun, Shin, Yong Beom, Han, Hyun-jung, Lee, Jong Hwa, Choi, Seok Hwa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.05.2010; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Animals; Collagenases; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Combinations; Drug Synergism; Human Growth Hormone - administration & dosage; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid - administration & dosage; Injections, Intra-Articular; Male; Original; Osteoarthritis - chemically induced; Osteoarthritis - diagnosis; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Rabbits; Treatment Outcome; 의학일반; Collagenases; Hyaluronic Acid; Growth Hormone; Osteoarthritis
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.5.776

In a rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis, the additive effects of intra-articular recombinant human growth hormone (GH) administration to hyaluronic acid (HA) were evaluated. After intra-articular collagenase injection, mature New Zealand white rabbits (n=30) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control rabbits) received once weekly intra-articular saline injections for 4 weeks. Group 2 rabbits received 6 mg HA injections, and group 3 rabbits were injected with 6 mg HA and 3 mg recombinant human GH. These injections were initiated 4 weeks after collagenase injections. Lameness was observed for 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Macroscopic and histopathological knee joint findings were also evaluated at the end of 9 weeks after collagenase injections. Although all animals had lameness after collagenase injections, the duration and severity of lameness were significantly shorter and less severe in group 3 than group 1 and 2 (P<0.01). Macroscopic scores showed that femoral condyles of group 3 rabbits received significantly less cartilage damage than those of groups 1 and 2 rabbits (P<0.01). Histopathological score was also the lowest in group 3 (P<0.01). These results suggest that co-injection of intra-articular HA and recombinant human GH is more effective than HA injections alone in an osteoarthritis model.