Effects of an oral administration of glucosamine-chondroitin-quercetin glucoside on the synovial fluid properties in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The effects of an orally administered combination of a glucosamine-chondroitin-quercetin glucoside (GCQG) supplement on the synovial fluid properties of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were investigated from the clinical nutrition view point. In this study, forty-six OA and twenty-two RA patients were administered with the GCQG supplement orally for 3 months. Several parameters of the knee joints were monitored before and after supplementation.

A new antibacterial carrier of hyaluronic acid gel.

Background: Postoperative infection following total joint arthroplasty is thought to be one of the most serious and devastating complications. To develop an effective treatment for this complication, we tested a bioabsorbable antibacterial carrier that is made from novel cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) gel and gentamicin (GM).

Methods: Antibacterial activity of the carrier was evaluated by the agar diffusion test, direct contact test, in vivo mouse model, and in vivo rabbit osteomyelitis model.

Antibiotic-containing hyaluronic acid gel as an antibacterial carrier: Usefulness of sponge and film-formed HA gel in deep infection.

We have developed a novel bioabsorbable antibacterial carrier using hyaluronic acid (HA) gel for prevention and treatment of orthopedic infections. In this study, we investigated the in vivo antibacterial effects of two forms of this new material, an HA gel sponge and an HA gel film. A titanium cylinder was inserted into the intramedullary cavity of each rabbit femur, along with an HA gel sponge or HA gel film containing antibiotics.

Quantitative assessment of hand radiographs of rheumatoid arthritis: interobserver variation in a multicenter radiographic study.

We investigated interobserver variations in the Larsen radiographic scoring method on hand radiographs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a multicenter trial and developed a new radiographic scoring method. Thirteen experienced rheumatologists scored 10 representative RA hand radiograms with the Larsen scoring method and clarified the precipitating factors of interobserver variation. Based on this study, it was proved that the ankylotic joint, overlapping joint, and more precise erosive joint are needed for optimal radiographic evaluation.