Hyaluronic acid inhibits nitric oxide-induced apoptosis and dedifferentiation of articular chondrocytes in vitro

Objective Nitric oxide is an important mediator in Osteoarthritis (OA), and causes apoptosis and dedifferentiation in articular chondrocytes. Protein kinase Cα is involved in modulating apoptosis and dedifferentiation of articular chondrocytes induced by nitric oxide. Hyaluronic acid is widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and exerts significant chondroprotective effects. The exact mechanisms of its chondroprotective action are not yet fully elucidated. The present study was performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of hyaluronic acid in NO-induced apoptosis and dedifferentiation of chondrocytes.