“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Hylan G-F is an elastoviscous high molecular weight fluid containing hylan A and hylan B polymers produced from chicken combs. Hylans are derivatives of hyaluronan (sodium hyaluronate). Hylan G-F 20 is unique in that the hyaluronan is chemically crosslinked. Hyaluronan is a long-chain polymer containing repeating disaccharide units of Na-glucuronate-N-acetylglucosamine.
Hylan G-F is a gel-like mixture that comes in a syringe containing 6 mL (1 ½ teaspoon) and is injected into your knee. It is made up of hylan A fluid, hylan B gel, and salt water. Hylan A and hylan B are made from a substance called hyaluronan (pronounced hy-al-u-ROE-nan), also known as sodium hyaluronate that comes from chicken combs. Hyaluronan is a natural substance found in the body and is present in very high amounts in joints. The body’s own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint and is needed for the joint to work properly.
Pharmacology
Joints contain a fluid, called synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant and shock absorber. Patients with osteoarthritis have synovial fluid that is thinner than normal, and, therefore, it is less effective as a lubricant and shock-absorber. Hylan G-F 20 is an elastic fluid that is made from a substance called hyaluronan, that is found in normal joint fluid. Hyaluronan is the key substance in joint fluid that provides the shock-absorbing quality to the fluid, and it is essential for the proper functioning of joints. When Hylan G-F 20 is injected into the knee of a patient with osteoarthritis, the drug helps to restore the shock-absorbing effect of the fluid within the knee. This can reduce pain, resulting in a more active lifestyle.