Effects of hyaluronic acid applied by different methods on intervertebral disc degeneration: Reduction of inflammation and histological damage via CD44 and RHAMM receptors

Ayşe İkinci Keleş; Osman Fikret Sönmez; Ahmet Mert; Gökhan Keleş; Hüseyin Serkan Erol

doi:10.31797/vetbio.1802503

Effects of hyaluronic acid applied by different methods on intervertebral disc degeneration: Reduction of inflammation and histological damage via CD44 and RHAMM receptors

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of epidural (ED) and intradiscal (ID) hyaluronic acid (HA) injections on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in rats. IDD, a common cause of spinal pain and disability, lacks effective treatment options. HA, known for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, has shown potential in managing disc degeneration. The aim was to compare the efficacy of ED and ID HA injections in reducing IDD and promoting disc health. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (10–12 weeks old) were randomly assigned to six different groups. Control (CG) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDDG); sham (S)+ID, S+ED, IDDG+ED, and IDDG+ID HA injection (0.1 mL, single dose on the day of the procedure) were established in six groups. Histological changes and blood levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured. No significant changes in body weight, infection, or mortality were observed. Histologically, the Sham+ID group showed mild disc tears, vacuoles, and serpentine appearance, while the IDDG+ID group displayed indistinct nucleus pulposus(NP) and annulus fibrosus(AF) borders, necrosis, and vacuoles. The IDDG+ED group exhibited regular collagen fibers, reduced vacuoles, and edema, with a complete absence of necrosis. IL-6 and TNF-alpha were elevated in IDDG and Sham+ID groups. However, both cytokines were significantly reduced in the IDDG+ED and IDDG+ID groups. These findings suggest that HA injection reduces inflammation and histological damage, with the epidural method proving more effective than the intradiscal method. HA likely acts by interacting with membrane receptors such as CD44 and RHAMM. No weight change or mortality was observed after HA treatment.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Niğde Ömer Halis Demir University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Project Number

SAT 2021/3-BAGEP

Ethical Statement

All animal procedures were approved by the institutional ethics committee at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University (protocol number 2019/19 dated 08.05.2019).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Mete Aziz Sönmez for his moral support in the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Structural Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayşe İkinci Keleş ^*
0000-0003-0716-5695
Türkiye

Osman Fikret Sönmez
0000-0003-1050-1645
Türkiye

Ahmet Mert
0000-0001-5111-2051
Türkiye

Gökhan Keleş
0000-0002-4875-9820
Türkiye

Hüseyin Serkan Erol
0000-0002-9121-536X
Türkiye

Publication Date

February 13, 2026

Submission Date

October 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1802503

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57CH89CF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

İkinci Keleş, A., Sönmez, O. F., Mert, A., Keleş, G., & Erol, H. S. (2026). Effects of hyaluronic acid applied by different methods on intervertebral disc degeneration: Reduction of inflammation and histological damage via CD44 and RHAMM receptors. Journal of Advances in VetBio Science and Techniques, 1, 31-38. https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1802503