Hyaluronic acid increases tendon derived cell viability and proliferation in vitro: comparative study of two different hyaluronic acid preparations by molecular weight

Marialucia Gallorini; Anna C Berardi; Martina Berardocco; Clarissa Gissi; Nicola Maffulli; Amelia Cataldi; Francesco Oliva

doi:10.11138/mltj/2017.7.2.208

Hyaluronic acid increases tendon derived cell viability and proliferation in vitro: comparative study of two different hyaluronic acid preparations by molecular weight

Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2017 Sep 18;7(2):208-214. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2017.7.2.208. eCollection 2017 Apr-Jun.

Authors

Marialucia Gallorini¹, Anna C Berardi², Martina Berardocco², Clarissa Gissi², Nicola Maffulli³, Amelia Cataldi¹, Francesco Oliva⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
² UOC of Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine, Laboratory of Stem Cells, Spirito Santo Hospital, Pescara, Italy.
³ Head of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Italy; Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Background: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) has been already approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for osteoarthritis (OA), while its use in the treatment of tendinopathy is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different HA on human rotator cuff tendon derived cells in terms of cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods: An in vitro model was developed on human tendon derived cells from rotator cuff tears to study the effects of two different HA preparations: Sinovial HL® (High-Low molecular weight) (MW: 80-100 kDa) and KDa Sinovial Forte SF (MW: 800-1200), at various concentrations. Tendon derived cells morphology was evaluated after 0, 7 and 14 d of culture. Viability and proliferation were analyzed after 0, 24, and 48 h of culture and apoptosis occurrence was assessed after 24 h of culture.

Results: All the HAPs tested here increased viability and proliferation, in a dose-dependent manner and they reduced apoptosis at early stages (24 h) compared to control cells (without HAPs).

Conclusions: HAPs enhanced viability and proliferation and counteracted apoptosis in tendon derived cells.

Keywords: human tendon derived cells; hyaluronic acid; rotator cuff tendons; shoulder; tendinopathy.