Prospects of using a chelated form of zinc with hyaluronan as a cenomorphic modifying the anabolic functions of senescent chondrocytes

   Introduction. Strategies that can slow or prevent articular cartilage deterioration remain clinically important. Reduced expression of genes encoding major extracellular matrix components, including aggrecan and decorin, is associated with cartilage degeneration.

   Objective: To assess how a hyaluronic-acid–based synovial fluid substitute containing chelated zinc influences the expression of aggrecan, decorin, and transforming growth factor TGF-β1 in a senescent chondrocyte model.

   Methods: Primary chondrocytes were isolated from costal cartilage and cultured. Cellular senescence/inflammaging-associated genotoxic stress was induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Four conditions were compared: (1) untreated control culture; (2) inflammaging model (IM); (3) IM with hyaluronic acid gel (IM+HA); and (4) IM with the hyaluronic acid + chelated zinc preparation Yuventa (IM+Yuventa). Chondrocyte phenotype was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to type II and type IV collagen, with signal detection by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Relative expression of target markers was evaluated from fluorescence intensity.

   Results: IM was accompanied by a pronounced decline in aggrecan expression (5.6-fold vs control; 0.60 %). HA partially increased aggrecan to 1.34 %, whereas Yuventa raised it to 5.88 %. TGF-β1 dropped to 0.12 % under IM and increased comparably with HA and Yuventa (1.47 % and 1.45 %, respectively). Decorin decreased more than 16-fold under IM; Yuventa did not demonstrate a clear advantage over HA alone for this marker.

   Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid supplemented with chelated zinc may partially restore anabolic activity in senescent chondrocytes, primarily by enhancing aggrecan expression.

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