MODULATORY EFFECTS OF HYALURONIC ACID AND PIROXICAM ON SYNOVIAL IL-6 AND MMP-13 IN RAT MODEL OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

  • Noaman Ishaq Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
  • Zoobia Iram Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
  • Hafiz Muhammad Imran Aziz Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad
  • Shazia Tabassum Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental college
  • Sawera Nazeer Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
  • Sadia Javaid Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51642/ppmj.v36i04.799
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Hyaluronic acid, Piroxicam, IL-6, MMP-13

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, and elevated proinflammatory mediators including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). This study evaluates and compares the modulatory effects of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) and piroxicam (PIRO) on IL-6 and MMP-13 levels in a rat model of OA.

Methods: OA was surgically induced in 24 Sprague Dawley rats and animals were randomly assigned to three groups (control, HA, and PIRO) with 08 rats in each group. saline water, hyaluronic acid and piroxicam were administered intra-articularly once weekly for four weeks. Synovial lavage samples were collected post-treatment and analyzed for IL-6 and MMP-13 levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS, (p≤0.05) was considered statistically significant.

Results: Both HA and PIRO significantly reduced synovial IL-6 (p=0.001) and MMP-13 (p=0.003) and (p<0.00 l) respectively when compared to control group. No significant difference was found between HA and PIRO groups (p>0.05), suggesting comparable anti-inflammatory efficacy.

Conclusion: Both hyaluronic acid and piroxicam equally reduce IL-6 and MMP-13 levels in the synovial lavage fluid of a rat model of osteoarthritis.

Published
2026-01-02
Issue
Vol 36 No 04 (2025): Pakistan Postgraduate Medical Journal
Section
Article