Hyaluronic acid hydrogel in the treatment of XXXX .

@entity154 @entity11540 @entity571 @entity6157 @entity95 @entity1473
In order to overcome the problem of rapid clearance of the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (Hyal) in the treatment of @entity571 ( @entity571 ), a 50% cross-linked Hyal hydrogel (Hyal 50%) was synthesised. The 50% refers to the amount of @entity1473 groups of the polysaccharide involved in the cross-linking reaction. i.e. 50% of the total amount. The rheological behaviour of the Hyal 50% hydrogel, and in particular the possibility to inject it through a needle, was studied. The results obtained demonstrated that the hydrogel injected through the needle still behaved like a gel, although it showed a reduction of the dynamic moduli. The most appropriate sterilisation technique for this kind of hydrogel was also evaluated. Liophilised Hyal 50% samples were sterilised by steam, @entity11540 ( @entity6157 ) and gamma-rays. @entity6157 and gamma-rays did not modify the characteristics of the hydrogel in terms of swellability and morphology. Lastly, the in vivo effect of Hyal 50% hydrogel in the treatment of @entity154 in @entity95 knee was also studied. The results obtained showed the Hyal 50% injections improved chondrocytes density and matrix appearance. Furthermore, the permanence in situ of the hydrogel was longer than that of the linear Hyal.
