Comprehensive rheological characterization of polynucleotide/BDDE-crosslinked hyaluronic acid blend for intra-articular viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation is a widely used treatment for osteoarthritis, aiming to restore the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid and improve joint function. While hyaluronic acid (HA), BDDE-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (BDDE-HA), and polynucleotide (PN) have been studied individually, the rheological properties of their mixtures remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates the viscoelastic characteristics of PN/HA and PN/BDDE-HA blends through rheological evaluations, including simple shear tests, oscillatory shear tests, and 3-interval thixotropy tests. Results indicate that BDDE-HA maintains high viscosity over a range of shear rates, whereas PN exhibits viscosity loss at high shear rates. PN/HA exhibits synergistic structural recovery properties, consistent with clinical findings suggesting improved efficacy compared to individual components. PN/BDDE-HA exhibits improved viscoelastic behavior but prolonged structural recovery. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive rheological analysis in understanding viscosupplement formulations and their potential clinical implications. This study provides fundamental data to support future clinical research on PN/BDDE-HA as a novel viscosupplement.