Does hyaluronic acid decrease the apoptotic effect of bupivacaine?

OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to study the anti-apoptotic effects of hyaluronic acid on the apoptotic effects of bupivacaine in cultured rat chondrocytes in a time and dose-dependent manner. MATERIAL AND METHODS The rat chondrocytes were treated with 7.69 µM, 76.9 µM, and 384.5 µM bupivacaine and 50 µg/ml hyaluronic acid concentrations for six, 24, and 48 hours. At the end of the treatment period, cells were stained with mixture of acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Apoptosis was evaluated using a fluorescence microscope. RESULTS A significant protective effect of hyaluronic acid on chondrocytes against bupivacaine exposure at 7.69 µM and 76.9 µM concentrations, particularly was observed. There was also a significant protective effect in the exposure time at six and 24 hours for 7.69 µM and 76.9 µM bupivacaine doses. CONCLUSION Our study results show that hyaluronic acid against chondrotoxicity of bupivacaine may have a protective effect in a time and dose-dependent manner.