EFFECTS OF CYCLOSPORINE ON SERUM HYALURONAN LEVELS IN COLLAGEN ARTHRITIS

Serum hyaluronan (HA) levels were measured in a rat model of collagen arthritis using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Values b ecame elevated as the arthritis developed, correlating with its severi ty. Daily subcutaneous treatment with cyclosporin at the dose of 25 mg /kg per day for fourteen days completely prevented anti-type II collag en antibody production and the serum HA increase as well as developmen t of collagen arthritis. HA in the blood may thus provide a good quant itative marker for joint disease in rat collagen arthritis with potent ial as a tool for evaluation of drug efficacy in this experimental mod el.