[Concentration of IL-18 and PGE2 in synovial fluid in patients with osteoarthritis and its significance].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in synovial fluid (SF), and to determine the role of IL-18 and PGE2 in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis.


METHODS
IL-18 and PGE2 were measured concurrently in synovial fluid samples from 54 patients with knee OA (OA group) and from 9 controls (control group). Quantitative determination of IL-18 was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PGE2 was examined by inhibitory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A linear regression between IL-18 and PGE2 was analysed.


RESULTS
The concentrations of IL-18 and PGE2 in SF from the OA group were significantly higher than those from the control group (P<0.01). The average value of IL-18 in the control group was (28.768+/-13.575) x 10(-9)ng/L, and (72.303+/-40.130) x 10(-9)ng/L in the OA group (P<0.01); the average value of PGE2 in the control group was (24.697+/-7.814) x 10(-9)ng/L, and (42.302+/-23.818) x 10(-9)ng/L in the OA group (P<0.01). IL-18 was related with PGE2 in a linear curve fashion (the control group: r=0.76, P<0.001; the OA group: r=0.94, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-18 and PGE2 are significantly higher in the OA group than those in the control group, and they might take part in the cartilage degradation in OA pathogenesis. The increase of IL-18 might induce the increase of PGE2, and that might play an important role in OA pathogenesis.
Peng
Cheng-zhong
CZ
Department of Orthopaedics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Cao
Jian-min
JM
Xiao
Tao
T
Peng
Cheng
C
Yang
Hong-bo
HB
Chen
Xiang
X
Fang
Jian-zhen
JZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
D020382:Interleukin-18; D015232:Dinoprostone