Changes in the Synovial Fluid Caused by Osmic Acid

Summary

27 rheumatic patients with knee joint hydrops were studied for the effect of osmic acid on the synovial fluid. Special interest was taken in synovial leucocyte counts and electrophoretic patterns. A leucopenia preceded the leucocytosis in the synovial samples; both were thought to be induced by osmium. A precipitate formation from hyaluronate was thought to account for the leucopenia and this suggests a new hypothesis of osmic acid action. In the electrophoretic patterns there was a change in the electric charges of proteins. One week after osmic acid injection the pattern was normal.