METHOD OF PROMOTING BONE GROWTH WITH HYALURONIC ACID AND GROWTH FACTORS
A bone growth-promoting composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid and a growth factor. The composition has a viscosity and biodegradability sufficient to persist at an intra-articular site of desired bone growth for a period of time sufficient to promote the bone growth. Preferably hyaluronic acid is used in a composition range of 0.1-4% by weight and preferred growth factor is bFGF, present in a concentration range of about 10 −6 to 100 mg/ml.
1 . A composition for treatment of diseased, injured or abnormal bone composition comprising an effective amount of a mixture of a growth factor and a hyaluronic acid-biotin conjugate sufficient to enhance bone growth rate and magnitude and having sufficient viscosity and biodegradability to persist upon application at a site of desired bone growth for a period of time sufficient to enhance said bone growth rate and magnitude.
2 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said hyaluronic acid is uncrosslinked.
3 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises 0.1 to 4% by weight of hyaluronic acid in solution.
4 . A composition according to claim 1 wherein said growth factor comprises bFGF.
5 . A composition according to claim 4 wherein said bFGF is present in said composition in a range of about 10 −6 to 100 mg/ml of said composition.
6 . A method of treating diseased, injured or abnormal bone at a desired bone growth comprising the step of applying to said site a composition comprising an effective amount of a mixture of a hyaluronic acid-biotin conjugate and a growth factor sufficient to enhance bone growth rate and magnitude and having sufficient viscosity and biodegradability to persist at said site for a period of time sufficient to enhance said bone growth rate and magnitude.
7 . A method according to claim 6 wherein said hyaluronic acid is uncrosslinked.
8 . A method according to claim 6 wherein said hyaluronic acid in said composition comprises about 0.1-4% by weight of said composition.
9 . A method according to claim 6 wherein said growth factor comprises bFGF.
10 . A method according to claim 9 wherein said bFGF is present in a range of about 10 −6 to 100 mg/ml in said 10 composition.