Pentosan polysulphate and glycosaminoglycan polysulphate stimulate the synthesis of hyaluronan in vivo

Francis DJ, Hutadilok N, Kongtawelert P, Ghosh P · Rheumatology International

The hyaluronan leg of the mechanism, tested in a living animal: PPS raised both the amount and the molecular weight of hyaluronan in inflamed pouch fluid, where glycosaminoglycan polysulphate raised molecular weight alone — relevant because OA synovial fluid loses hyaluronan concentration and chain length together.

Population

Inflamed rat subcutaneous air-pouch model

Intervention

PPS 2.5 mg/kg injected into the pouch daily for 7 days

Comparator

Untreated pouch fluid and glycosaminoglycan polysulphate

Limitations

An air pouch is a synovium-like membrane, not a joint; local injection at a dose far above systemic exposure; PPS's developer is a co-author.