title: Biomarkers of oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis patients undergoing sulfur-based spa therapies.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo," Urbino, Italy. serena.benedetti@uniurb.it
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Canino
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonti
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Medda
authors.forename: Piergiorgio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calcaterra
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salaffi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canestrari
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013455:Sulfur