title: Correlation between plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor with radiographic severity in primary knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate plasma and synovial fluid basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate the correlation between bFGF levels and disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients with knee OA and 15 healthy individuals were recruited into this study. Knee OA grading was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. bFGF concentrations in both plasma and synovial fluid were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels in knee OA patients were significantly higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, plasma and synovial fluid bFGF concentrations were positively correlated with radiographic severity (r = 0.535, P < 0.001 and r = 0.570, P < 0.001, respectively). Further analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels (r = 0.674, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma and synovial fluid bFGF levels were significantly increased in OA patients, and these elevated levels were positively correlated with radiographic severity. These findings indicate that bFGF levels may be a monitor of disease severity and could play an essential part in the pathophysiology of degenerative process in OA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Rama IV road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Sittisak.H@chula.ac.th
authors.forename: Sittisak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honsawek
authors.forename: Pongsak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yuktanandana
authors.forename: Aree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanavalee
authors.forename: Natthaphon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saetan
authors.forename: Wilai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Anomasiri
authors.forename: Vinai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parkpian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2