title: The relationship between synovial fluid VEGF and serum leptin with ultrasonographic findings in knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine synovial fluid and serum biomarkers which could accord with radiological and ultrasonographic findings in knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis were detected with joint effusion by clinical examination. Both knee joints were examined using plain radiographs and ultrasonography. Questions were obtained for visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Synovial fluid (SF) and serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, leptin, resistin and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Synovial fluid VEGF level was positively correlated with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades and it was higher in patients with KL grade 4 than those with KL grade 2. SF VEGF correlated with ultrasonographic findings, such as the length of medial osteophytes. The amount of effusion was positively correlated with SF resistin. Serum leptin level had positive correlation with HAQ and the length of medial osteophytes. MMP-13 or COMP levels were not correlated with radiographic or ultrasonographic findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Synovial fluid VEGF level was correlated with radiographic grading, ultrasonographic findings and functional statues in knee osteoarthritis, and serum leptin level also correlated with the ultrasonographic findings and functional status of knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Conversant Research Consorcium in Immunologic disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-Woon
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo-Mi
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Heon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001175:Arthrography; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: biomarker; leptin; osteoarthritis; ultrasonography; vascular endothelial growth factor