Research Shows Oral Delivery of Hyaluronic Acid Absorbs Effectively in Joints

Washington. D.C., April 18, 2004 – A consortium of scientists released clinical research results about oral delivery of radiolabeled hyaluronic acid (HA) and its ability to be taken up by joints. Dr. Alex Schauss, Director of AIBMR, presented the findings at the 2004 Experimental Biology conference, conducted by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Hyaluronan has been used for years in veterinary and human medicine as an injection to replace lost joint fluid.

The study was led by Dr. Schauss and conducted by a consortium of scientists from the Life Sciences Division of the American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research Inc. in Puyallup, Washington and the National “FJC” Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Institute for Health in Budapest, Hungary. The research was supported by Weider Nutrition International.

“This is the first time hyaluronic acid has been reported to be absorbed orally, which paves the way for hyaluronic acid dietary supplements to be introduced and deliver on anti-aging and joint health promises,” said Dr. Luke Bucci, Ph.D., Vice President of Research for Weider Nutrition International.

Until now, there was no data on pharmacokinetics after oral intake and the therapeutic use of hyaluronic acid was limited to injections or topical applications. The results of this study, which examined the absorption, excretion and distribution of radiolabeled hyaluronic acid after a single oral administration in Wistar rats and Beagle dogs, demonstrated that HA is absorbed and distributed to organs and joints after a single oral administration.

For Medical Professionals

This study examined the absorption, excretion and distribution of radiolabeled hyaluronan (HA) after a single oral administration in Wistar rats and Beagle dogs. To date its therapeutic use has been limited to injections or topical applications, but there is no data on pharmacokinetics after oral intake.

The gamma emitting isotope 99mtechnetium (Tc) was coupled to HA (Nutrihyl®) and dissolved in distilled water. 100 MBq in 200 mcg HA were administered to 150-200 gram Wistar rats, and 370 MBq in 10 mg HA were administered to 10-15 kg Beagle dogs by gavage. Standard bioassay examination, urine and feces collection, and scintigraphic examinations were performed in animals to elucidate the absorbed proportion, in vivo distribution and excretion pathways from the body of TC-HA.

Less than 5% of the radioactivity appeared in feces after 72 hours in rats. Radioactivity was seen in blood, muscles, salivary glands and bone as early as 30 minutes, and peaked 4-6 hours in all non-alimentary tissues examined after oral administration. There were transient increases in radioactivity in shoulder joints and vertebrae 4 hours after oral administration of HA in both rats and Beagle dogs. Residence time (t) in Beagle blood was 0.0134 hours. These results demonstrate that HA is absorbed and distributed to organs and joints after a single oral administration.

Source:

Absorption, distribution and excretion of 99m technetium labeled hyaluronan after single oral doses in rats and beagle dogs

Alexander G Schauss,1 Lajos Balogh,2 Andras Polyak,2 Domokos Mathe,2 Reka Kiraly,2 Gyozo Janoki2
1 Life Sciences Division, American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research, Inc., 4117 South Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98373, 2 National “FJC” Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, National Institute for Health, Budapest, Hungary

Key concepts: hyaluronic acid, joints, synovial fluid, arthritis, oral intake