The effects of some polysulphated polysaccharides on hyaluronate (HA) synthesis by human synovial fibroblasts

The in vitro synthesis of HA in synovial fibroblasts derived from normal and rheumatoid joints was investigated. Incubation of these cells with ArteparonR and a variety of sulphated dextrans showed that macromolecular HA synthesis could be modified by these drugs. ArteparonR and a dextran sulphate (DS1) of molecular weight 20,600 and 0.8 sulphate substitution stimulated HA synthesis in rheumatoid cells by approximately 150%. In contrast the dextrans with higher sulphate substitution but similar molecular weight were less effective. Gel filtration chromatography of media from drug-treated cells showed an increase in HA hydrodynamic size.