IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF TWO TYPES OF HYALURONIC ACID'S ANTITUMOR POTENTIAL IN OSTEOSARCOMA CELLS

Even after the remarkable progress of the last decade, osteosarcoma remains a serious problem on a global scale, mainly affecting teenagers and elderly people. Hyaluronic acid is a ubiquitous polysaccharide in vertebrates and plays important physiological roles in the body, including the regulation of cell proliferation and inflammation. There are a variety of medical applications for hyaluronic acid; recent research has highlighted its role in the mineralization and growth of bones. Following these theoretical considerations, the present study sought to evaluate the antitumor potential of two types of hyaluronic acid in osteosarcoma cells. In order to achieve this goal, the viability and morphology of the cells, the effect on the structure of the nuclei, and the gene expression of some pro-and anti-apoptotic genes were evaluated. The results of the study indicated that hyaluronic acid causes a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability and induces changes in morphology and nuclei characteristic of cell apoptosis. Additionally, the highest concentrations tested resulted in an increase in pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Bad) and a decrease in anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2). In conclusion, hyaluronic acid may represent a possible effective candidate for the treatment of osteosarcoma, but further studies are required in order to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved.