Post-Traumatic Arthritis: The Role of Cytokine Levels in Serum and Synovial Fluid

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory processes play an important role in intra-articular fractures. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between chemerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Interleukin 17 (IL-17) serum and synovial fluid levels of osteoarthritis patients and individuals with intra-articular fractures.

METHOD: In this case-control study, all osteoarthritis patients and individuals with intra-articular fractures who visited the Imam Khomeini Orthopedic Clinic of Ahvaz were examined. Blood samples (5 cc) were collected prior to surgery to measure chemerin Interleukin 17, and hs-CRP serum levels. Synovial fluid samples (2 cc) were collected during the surgery.

RESULTS: Measuring the levels of IL-17, chemerin and hs-CRP indicated a significant statistical difference between the serum and synovial fluids of osteoarthritis patients, individuals with intra-articular fractures, and the control group (p < .001). Post-hoc analyses showed statistically significant differences in all conditions except for hs-CRP levels between osteoarthritis patients and individuals with intra-articular fractures.

CONCLUSION: Discovering ways to stop or slow down osteoarthritis is a matter of great concern. The findings on osteoarthritis indicate diverse, complex, and multidimensional processes involving cytokines. Information on cytokines that effect diseases can help develop efficient therapy methods.