Hyaluronic acid in progressive systemic sclerosis

The glycosaminoglycans metabolism is disturbed in progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Serum hyaluronic acid (HA) is elevated in this disease.

This study was conducted to determine the HA plasma concentrations of patients with PSS according to the different stages of the disease.

We studied 48 patients divided into three subgroups: subgroup 1 (n = 10), with skin compromise without evidence of other organ involvement; subgroup 2 (n = 21), with skin and esophagus involvement; subgroup 3 (n = 17), with skin, lung and other internal organ involvement. A radiometric assay was performed for quantification of HA.

Our results confirm the increase in plasma HA in patients with PSS. They also suggest that lung involvement is the main feature responsible for high plasma concentrations of HA. The plasma HA levels were elevated in patients compared to normals (p <0.001). Significant differences were observed between subgroups 1 and 3 (p <0.01) and between subgroups 2 and 3 (p <0.01). A positive correlation between disease severity scores and plasma HA values was observed (p <0.01).

An important elevation of HA plasma levels could be a serologic marker of disease severity, progression and degree of visceral involvement.