Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic Acid (HA), also called hyaluronan, polysaccharide is a glycosaminoglycan unsulfided, widely distributed in the human body. AH structure consists of a chain of different length of a disaccharide (glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine).
The molecular weight ranges between 5000 Da and Da 20 million. In the human body the average molecular weight is about 4 million Da. It is soluble in water as sodium salt. It was discovered in the vitreous humor of bovine eye in 1934.
The AH is part of the connective tissue (that is a major component of the extracellular matrix) and synovial fluid (increasing its viscosity). Skin and cartilage tissues are two rich in hyaluronic acid and they play an important role. HA plays an important role in the process of wound repair in the skin and attacks.
Use in medicine
The first product of hyaluronic acid for medical purposes was created in the 70s for use in the specialty of ophthalmology, and has since continued to be used in different ways.
The AH is widely used in the Plastic Surgery beauty treatments (wrinkle filler). There are many cosmetic products based on the AH for wrinkle and anti-aging treatments, although effective in these cases has not been proven.
Intra-articular injections were and are widespread in veterinary medicine, especially in horses, which has seen its usefulness in episodes of synovitis.
Use in traumatology
The use of AH in the form of intra-articular injections in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthrosis) was named Viscosupplementation, and was the first indication in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery. The purpose of this treatment is to achieve a lubricant, mechanical and biochemical effect of osteoarthritis in the affected joint, obtaining a relief, at least partial, of painful symptoms and improved function. The immediate effect but usually not long term. There are studies that have demonstrated its efficacy and safety, improving pain and function, and delay in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knee prosthesis implantation.
In recent years the AH infiltrations have spread to other joints such as the ankle, hip, shoulder and even small joints of the hand or the temporomandibular.
Prefilled syringes often wear AH sodium salt (sodium hyaluronate in concentrations of 1-2%). The AH is mainly produced from cockscomb or by bacterial fermentation. Have developed systems or links to improve viscosity stability and decrease the degradation or stop it.
Moreover matrices have been developed (scaffolds) of hyaluronic acid used in the surgical treatment of articular cartilage injuries, serving as support for the repair of focal defects.
Oral preparations currently exist AH also appear to be effective in patients with osteoarthritis and diseases of joint cartilage.
Dr. Juan Martínez Caamaño
Dr. Martinez is certified in the specialty of traumatology and orthopedics and medical techniques used to correct or prevent physical degeneration or malformation procedures and pains, injuries and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system of the body..