Assay of synovial fluid hyaluronic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography of hyaluronidase digests

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF METHODS FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF SODIUM HYALURONATE IN THE COMPOSITION OF COMBINED DENTAL GEL

According to the EP monograph "Sodium hyaluronate" for identification they use the infrared transmission spectrum of the substance, quantification is carried out by spectrophotometry. The aim of the work was to develop a method for quantitative determination of hyaluronic acid in the gel in the presence of other substances and its validation. Materials and Methods. The object of the study were samples of combined dental gel of the following composition: metronidazole benzoate 16 mg/g, miramistin 5 mg / g, sodium hyaluronate 2 mg / g. Identification and quantification of sodium hyaluronate was performed by liquid chromatography (SPhU, 2.2.29, 2.2.46). The test solution and the reference solution were chromatographed, obtaining the number of parallel chromatograms not less than when checking the suitability of the chromatographic system. Chromatography is performed on a liquid chromatograph with a diode-matrix detector under the following conditions: chromatographic column PL-aquagel-OH, Agilent size 300 mm × 7.5 mm, with a particle size of sorbent 8 μm; mobile phase A: 0.1 M sodium sulfate solution; mobile phase B: acetonitrile for chromatography P; detection at a wavelength of 210 nm. Results. The retention time of sodium hyaluronate on the chromatogram of the test sample of the gel coincides with the peak and the retention time on the chromatogram of the comparison solution of the standard sample of the substance. The suitability of the chromatographic system for 3 parallel determinations was checked: the relative standard deviation (RSD) is equal to 0.25, the number of theoretical plates is 980, the symmetry coefficient is 1.293. The validation characteristics of the developed methodology meet the established eligibility criteria. The spectral purity coefficients (Fp) of the sodium hyaluronate peak on the chromatograms of the model solution are Fp1=997.665 and Fp2=997,802. The method is linear in the range of sodium concentration of hyaluronate 80–120 %, the calculated linear dependence of the reduced area of the chromatographic peak on the reduced concentration of sodium hyaluronate is |a|=1.9490≤Δa=2.56. The confidence interval of the unit value for the sample of relations is found / entered Δz=1.08, which corresponds to the condition Δz≤1.6 %. The value of the systematic error is equal to δ=0.12, which satisfies the condition δ≤0.51 %. Conclusions. The method of quantitative determination of sodium hyaluronate by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed and investigated. The method allows the identification and quantification of sodium hyaluronate in the composition of the dental gel, in the presence of metronidazole benzoate and miramistin. Validation of the methodology was performed and the main validation characteristics were determined. In terms of specificity, linearity, correctness, convergence of the method meets the eligibility criteria established by the SPhU.

Use of chromatographic and electrophoretic tools for assaying elastase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase activity

Elastase, collagenase, hyaluronidase and tyrosinase, are very interesting enzymes due to their direct implication in skin aging and as therapeutic hits. Different techniques can be used to study these enzymes and to evaluate the influence of effectors on their kinetics. Nowadays, analytical techniques have become frequently used tools for miniaturizing enzyme assays. The main intention of this article is to review chromatographic and electrophoretic tools that study the four enzymes above mentioned. More specifically, the use of high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis and their derivative techniques for monitoring these enzymes will be investigated. The advantages and limitations of these assays will also be discussed. The original use of microscale thermophoresis and thin layer chromatography in this domain will also be covered.

Determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC-UV

A liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection was developed for determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulation. Sodium hyaluronate is a polymer of disaccharides, composed of d-glucuronic acid and d-N-acetylglucosamine, linked via alternating β-1, 4 and β-1, 3 glycosidic bonds. Being a polymer compound it lacks a UV absorbing chromophore. In the absence of a UV absorbing chromophore and highly polar nature of compound, the analysis becomes a major challenge. To overcome these problems a novel method for the determination of sodium hyaluronate was developed and validated based on size exclusion liquid chromatography (SEC) with UV detection. An isocratic mobile phase consisting of buffer 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH adjusted to 7.0 using potassium hydroxide (10%) was used. Chromatography was carried out at 25 °C on a BioSep SEC S2000, 300 mm×7.8 mm column. The detection was carried out using variable wavelength UV-vis detector set at 205 nm. The compounds were eluted isocratically at a steady flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Sodium hyaluronate retention time was about 4.9 min with an asymmetry factor of 1.93. A calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 38 g/mL (r>0.9998). Within-day % RSD was 1.0 and between-day % RSD was 1.10. Specificity/selectivity experiments revealed the absence of interference from excipients, recovery from spiked samples for sodium hyaluronate was 99-102. The developed method was applied to the determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical drug substance and product.

Comparative stability of the bioresorbable ferric crosslinked hyaluronic acid adhesion prevention solutions

The Intergel® ferric crosslinked hyaluronate (FeHA) adhesion prevention solution (APS) (FDA) is associated with serious post-operative complications (Henley, http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/features/gynecare-intergel/intergel-timeline.html, 2007; FDA, 2003; Roman et al., Fertil Steril 2005, 83 Suppl 1:1113-1118; Tang et al., Ann Surg 2006;243(4):449-455; Wiseman, Fertil Steril 2006;86(3):771; Wiseman, Fertil Steril 2006;85(4):e7). This prompted us to examine the in situ stability of crosslinked HA materials to hyaluronidase lyase degradation. Variables such as ferric ionic crosslink density, HA concentration, gel geometry, and molecular weight (MW) of HA polymer were studied. Various formulations of the crosslinked "in house" [Isayeva et al., J Biomed Mater Res: Part B - Appl Biomater 2010, 95B (1):9-18] FeHA (0.5%, w/v; 30, 50, 90% crosslinked), the Intergel® FeHA (0.5%, w/v; 90%), and the non-crosslinked HA (0.05-0.5%, w/v) were degraded at a fixed activity of hyaluronidase lyase from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus (Hyase) at 37°C over time according to the method [Payan et al., J Chrom B: Biomed Sci Appl 1991;566(1):9-18]. Under our conditions, the data show that the crosslink density affects degradation the most, followed by HA concentration and then gel geometry. We found that MW has no effect. Our results are one possible explanation of the observations that the Intergel® FeHA APS (0.5%, w/v; 90%) material persisted an order of magnitude longer than expected [t1/2 = 500 hrs vs. t1/2 = 50 hrs (FDA; Johns et al., Fertil Steril 1997;68(1):37-42)]. These data also demonstrate the sensitivity of the in vitro hyaluronidase assay to predict the in situ stability of crosslinked HA medical products as previously reported [Sall et al., Polym Degrad Stabil 2007;92(5):915-919].

Biochemical composition of the superficial layer of articular cartilage

To gain more information on the mechanism of lubrication in articular joints, the superficial layer of bovine articular cartilage was mechanically removed in a sheet of ice that formed on freezing the cartilage. Freeze-dried samples contained low concentrations of chondroitin sulphate and protein. Analysis of the protein by SDS PAGE showed that the composition of the sample was comparable to that of synovial fluid (SF). Attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy of the dried residue indicated that the sample contained mostly hyaluronan. Moreover, ATR-IR spectroscopy of the upper layer of the superficial layer, adsorbed onto silicon, showed the presence of phospholipids. A gel could be formed by mixing hyaluronan and phosphatidylcholine in water with mechanical properties similar to those of the superficial layer on cartilage. Much like the superficial layer of natural cartilage, the surface of this gel became hydrophobic on drying out. Thus, it is proposed that the superficial layer forms from hyaluronan and phospholipids, which associate by hydrophobic interactions between the alkyl chains of the phospholipids and the hydrophobic faces of the disaccharide units in hyaluronan. This layer is permeable to material from the SF and the cartilage, as shown by the presence of SF proteins and chondroitin sulphate. As the cartilage dries out after removal from the joint, the phospholipids migrate towards the surface of the superficial layer to reduce the surface tension. It is also proposed that the highly efficient lubrication in articular joints can, at least in part, be attributed to the ability of the superficial layer to adsorb and hold water on the cartilage surface, thus creating a highly viscous boundary protection.

Cartilage repair using new polysaccharidic biomaterials: macroscopic, histological and biochemical approaches in a rat model of cartilage defect

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims at evaluating, in a rat model of cartilage defect, the potential of various polymers as filling and repair biomaterials. The macroscopic and histological observations are compared to biochemical parameters in order to appreciate the pertinence of the latter as suitable criteria in tissue engineering.

METHODS

A hydrogel, consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA), covalently substituted by hydrophobic alkyl chains (HA12, HA18) and an alginate sponge, alone (Asp) or combined with HA (AHAsp) or combined with HA and chondrocytes (HYBsp) were evaluated. Cartilage lesions were drilled in femoral trochlea of rats. The analyses were performed on trochlea as well as on patella and condyles.

RESULTS

Repairs achieved with hydrogels had a similar macroscopic appearance than those afforded by AHAsp and HYBsp. Best macroscopic and histological scores were obtained with HA18 and HYBsp in comparison with alginate group (P< 0.01 and P< 0.02 respectively). Biochemical evaluations confirmed the presence of similar amounts of proteoglycans in the repaired zones and in the controls, though with different DeltadiC4S/DeltadiC6S ratios and enhanced HA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrogels or sponges proved to be colonized by cells synthesizing a matrix with a high HA content. The matrix obtained eventually turns hyaline and takes over the scaffold. The addition of HA and/or chondrocytes to Asp significantly improves the macroscopic and histological scores (P< 0.05 and P< 0.02 respectively). However, biochemical parameters are significantly different of those evaluated in native cartilage. The present study shows that only biochemical parameters allow to discriminate between various biomaterials in tissue engineering and are essential informations which should be taken into account in addition to macroscopic and histological observations.

Separation methods applicable to urinary creatine and creatinine

Urinary creatinine has been analyzed for many years as an indicator of glomerular filtration rate. More recently, interest in studying the uptake of creatine as a result of creatine supplementation, a practice increasingly common among bodybuilders and athletes, has lead to a need to measure urinary creatine concentrations. Creatine levels are of the same order of magnitude as creatinine levels when subjects have recently ingested creatine, while somewhat elevated urinary creatine concentrations in non-supplementing subjects can be an indication of a degenerative disease of the muscle. Urinary creatine and creatinine can be analyzed by HPLC using a variety of columns. Detection methods include absorption, fluorescence after post-column derivatization, and mass spectrometry, and some methods have been automated. Capillary zone electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography have also been used to analyze urinary creatine and creatinine. Creatine and creatinine have also been analyzed in serum and tissue using HPLC and CE, and many of these separations could also be applicable to urinary analysis.

Cartilage degradation by hyaluronate lyase and chondroitin ABC lyase: a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric study

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used to investigate degradation products of two selected polysaccharides of cartilage (chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid). Testicular hyaluronate lyase and chondroitin ABC lyase were used for enzymic digestion of both polysaccharides as well as of cartilage specimens. Polysaccharide solutions and cartilage supernatants were assayed by positive and negative MALDI-TOF MS. Especially chondroitin ABC lyase produced high amounts of digestion products (unsaturated di- and tetrasaccharides) from polysaccharides as well as from cartilage, clearly monitored by MALDI-TOF MS. It is concluded that MALDI-TOF MS provides a precise and fast tool for the determination of oligosaccharides since no previous derivatization is required.

Quantitative analysis of hyaluronan in human synovial fluid using capillary electrophoresis

The glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan, can be detected in human synovial fluid by capillary electrophoresis (CE). Variations in peak shape make this technique unsuitable for quantitative analysis of hyaluronan in raw synovial fluid. Quantitative analysis was achieved by hydrolysis of the polymeric hyaluronan to the tetrasaccharide by the action of testicular hyaluronidase and separation of the product using CE. A UV detector operating at 200 nm was used. The X-ray contrast material, omnipaque, a propriety aqueous solution of iohexol was used as internal standard. A second peak in the electropherogram of synovial fluid was quantified. The variation in concentrations of these two components correlate with the arthritic disease state of a joint.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of glycosaminoglycan-derived oligosaccharides

High-performance liquid chromatography of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-derived oligosaccharides has been employed for the structural analysis and measurement of hyaluronan, chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, keratan sulphate, heparan sulphate and heparin. Recent developments in the separation and detection of unsaturated disaccharides and oligosaccharides derived from GAGs by enzymatic or chemical degradation are reviewed.

Transforming growth factor beta 1, a major stimulator of hyaluronan synthesis in human synovial lining cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of cytokines and growth factors in the regulation of hyaluronan synthesis in human synovial lining cells.

METHODS

Synovial lining cells were obtained from human knee joints, isolated by the explant method, and characterized by immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against monocyte/macrophage markers as well as antibodies against hyaluronan synthase. After stimulation by cytokines and growth factors, hyaluronan was measured by radiometric assay. The molecular weight distribution of the hyaluronan synthesized was determined by high-performance gel-permeation liquid chromatography. To test the effect of oxygen-derived free radicals, the concentration and molecular weight distribution of hyaluronan were determined in the presence and absence of catalase and superoxide dismutase.

RESULTS

Hyaluronan synthesis was stimulated in synovial lining cells by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and to a lesser extent by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). Analysis of the molecular weight distribution of hyaluronan after stimulation of synovial lining cells with TGF beta 1, IL-1 beta, and TNF alpha indicated that hyaluronan is synthesized in a high molecular weight form and might be degraded in the course of inflammatory processes by oxygen-derived free radicals.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that TGF beta 1 is a major stimulator of hyaluronan synthesis in human synovial lining cells and might be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of joint swelling in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases.

Hyaluronidase degradation of hyaluronic acid from different sources: influence of the hydrolysis conditions on the production and the relative proportions of tetra- and hexasaccharide produced

1. Hyaluronic acid (HA) can be digested with a Streptomyces hyaluronidase. 2. The rate of production and the ratio of tetrasaccharide (T) and hexasaccharide (H), studied by HPLC, varied with the temperature and duration of hydrolysis. 3. The rates of production and the respective amounts of the two oligosaccharides depended on the rheological properties of the HA from different sources. 4. A close relationship was found between the initial rate of hydrolysis and the intrinsic viscosity of the HA (eta i). 5. Our data suggest that enzymatic degradation at a given pH value, temperature, and duration of hydrolysis is dependent on the conformation of HA. 6. Moreover, under given conditions, the relative proportions of the two oligosaccharides depend on the eta i and may also reflect the degree of hydrolysis of the substrate.