Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Artificial joint aseptic loosening is a process of osteolysis, in which osteolysis cytokines play important roles. However, only tumor necrosis factor and prostaglandin E2 have been reported.
OBJECTIVE: To detect the osteolysis cytokine expression in limiting membrane of joint prosthesis aseptic loosening.
METHODS: A total of 54 patients who had joint prosthesis aseptic loosening and underwent revision in Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force and Union Hospital from March 2006 to December 2008 were served as observation group and to the limiting membrane in the operation was collected. In addition, 56 patients with fixator removal were served as control group, and the scar tissues were collected. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-11, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were detected by immunohistochemisty method, and cytokine mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: IL-1, IL-6, IL-11, and M-CSF expression was greater in limiting membrane of joint prosthesis loosening patients than the control group (P < 0.05). Results suggested that IL-1, IL-6, IL-11, and M-CSF play an important role in the joint prosthesis loosening, and blocking this pathological process may effectively delay and prevent joint aseptic loosening.