Biomarkers of oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis patients undergoing sulfur-based spa therapies.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of sulfur-based spa therapies on oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation biomarkers in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.


METHODS
Analyses were performed before therapy (T0), after therapy (T1) and 1 month after its suspension (T2), in OA subjects undergoing mud bath treatments in combination (group A) or not (group B) with hydropinotherapy, and compared with those of patients not subjected to spa therapies (group C).


RESULTS
No modifications in plasma/serum biomarker concentrations were observed throughout the study in non-treated patients, while a significant reduction in oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation parameters was evidenced in patients of group A. Group B presented a favorable biochemical profile at T1 but not at T2.


CONCLUSIONS
To ensure the long term preservation of the chondroprotective effects of sulfur-based therapies, standard mud bath treatments should be associated with hydropinotherapy in order to maintain reduced oxidative, inflammatory and degradative stimuli longer.
Benedetti
Serena
S
Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo," Urbino, Italy. serena.benedetti@uniurb.it
Canino
Claudia
C
Tonti
Gaetana
G
Medda
Virginia
V
Calcaterra
Piergiorgio
P
Nappi
Giuseppe
G
Salaffi
Fausto
F
Canestrari
Franco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009094:Mud Therapy; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015415:Biomarkers; D013455:Sulfur