Examination of synovial fluid and serum hyaluronidase activity as a joint marker in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients (by zymography)

Abstract

Objective - Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important joint marker and the substrate for hyaluronidase (HAase). Synovial fluid (SF) and serum HAase were measured to investigate the potential use of HAase as a joint marker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Methods - The subjects were 39 patients with RA and 42 patients with OA. HAase activity was measured by zymography and its relation with various parameters examined statistically. Results - In RA SF a positive correlation (r=0.458, p=0.0186) was found between SF HAase activity and the concentration of serum C reactive protein. A positive correlation (r=0.45, p=0.024) was also found between SF HAase activity and platelet count in the RA group. Serum HAase activity in the RA group was significantly higher than in the OA group (p<0.0001) and normal controls (p<0.0001). Conclusion - The results suggest that SF HAase activity could be used as a marker of synovial inflammation.