Effect of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid on the viscosity of rabbit pericardial fluid measured with a cone and plate viscometer.

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Abstract
To determine whether or not the high-molecular-weight (> 2 .times. 106) hyaluronic acid in rabbit pericardial fluid contributes to the changes in the viscosity of the pericardial fluid, we compared the viscosity of rabbit pericardial fluid with that of various glycosaminoglycan solutions by using a cone and plate viscometer at 37.degree. C. Rabbit pericardial fluid showed non-Newtonian flow behavior and had an apparent viscosity of about 1.03-1.04 cP at a shear rate of 750 s-1 at 37.degree. C. On the basis of the data on the viscosity of pericardial fluid and of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid solutions, the high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (about 0.01% (w/v)) could contribute to the increase in the viscosity and the rheological characteristics of the pericardial fluid. These results suggest that the high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in the pericardial fluid could provide the heart tissue with resiliency and compliance when the tissue is subjected to stretching or compressive forces.