Increased Serum Levels of IL-17A and IL-23 Are Associated with Decreased Vitamin D3 and Increased Pain in Osteoarthritis.
BACKGROUND
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and proinflammatory cytokines have been considered as the main etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of the disease. Serum levels of cytokines, that are associated with innate immunity and TH1 cells, have been analyzed in OA patients, however, there is limited research that profiles cytokines associated with Th17 cells and their relation to vitamin D3 and pain.


METHODS
The sera from 131 patients with OA and 262 healthy controls were evaluated for serum levels of IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23 and vitamin D3 using ELISA.


RESULTS
Serum levels of IL-17A, and IL-23 were statistically higher in OA patients than in healthy controls, while IL-21 and vitamin D3 were significantly lower in OA patients when compared to controls. A significant positive correlation was found between the serum levels of IL-17A and IL-23 using WOMAC pain scores and vitamin D3 serum levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that IL-17A plays a significant role in OA pathogenesis and the induction of pain. Decreased serum levels of vitamin D3 may reflect a positive role played by the factor in the regulation of immune responses in OA patients.
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Alireza
A
Askari
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Mohammad Mehdi
MM
Naghizadeh
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Reza
R
Homayounfar
Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Abbas
A
Shahi
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Mohammad Hosein
MH
Afsarian
Student Research Committee, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Abbas
A
Paknahad
School of Natural Sciences, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
Derek
D
Kennedy
Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Ataollahi
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000097:blood*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D007378:Interleukins; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D000098546:Interleukin-21