Table 1

Effect of hyaluronic acid (HYA) and chondroitin-4-sulphate (C4S) administration on plasma levels of galactosamine and glucosamine in rats subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), at the end of the experiment (day 21)

Concentration in plasma (mg/l)

Increase (%)

Experimental group

Galactosamine

Glucosamine

Galactosamine

Glucosamine

Control

9.81 ± 1.11

10.35 ± 1.71

CIA + vehicle

12.58 ± 1.45*

14.79 ± 2.01*

CIA + HYA

14.68 ± 2.74

19.34 ± 3.27^†

+17

+31

CIA + C4S

16.34 ± 3.18^†

14.97 ± 3.16

+30

+1

CIA + HYA + C4S

15.39 ± 1.86^†

19.24 ± 3.36^†

+22

+30

Where added, the concentrations of HYA and C4S were each 25 mg/kg. Values are means ± SD for seven rats for each group. Significance: *P < 0.01 versus control; ^†P < 0.05 versus CIA + vehicle.

Campo et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2003 5:R122   doi:10.1186/ar748