Boundary lubrication of joints: Characterization of surface-active phospholipids found on retrieved implants

Abstract

Background The identity of the vital active ingredient within synovial fluid (SF)—to which we owe the near frictionless performance of diarthrodial joints—has been the quest of researchers for many years. Initially, hyaluronic acid (HA) was thought to be the lubricant, but it has been shown not to possess the load-bearing ability required within the physiological joint. The glycoprotein fraction of synovial fluid (lubricin) has been shown to have the same lubricating ability as synovial fluid. All or part of this is thought to be due to the sur-face-active phospholipids (SAPLs) present in lubricin. We characterized the SAPLs adsorbed on the surface of retrieved prostheses which have been implicated as the boundary lubricant.

Material and methods Rinsing fluids collected from the bearing surfaces of 40 prostheses removed from hip and knee revision operations were analyzed using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results SAPLs were detected on all retrieved implants. During the study, 8 different species of phosphatidylcholines were identified. We also determined the relative concentration of each species, which suggested that the unsaturated SAPL species predominate.

Interpretation It is of value to know the identity of the lubricating constituents of SF, not only for the future development of artificial joints, but also in developing cures for several disease processes in which lubrication plays a role.

Contributions of authors

LG performed most of the study assisted by YC, under the supervision of BH (recently deceased) and RC.