Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies show that there are relationships between the changes of osteoarthritis (OA) synovia with the damage of the articular cartilage.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of some important ions, cell and hyaluronic acid of synovial fluid in normal and OA rabbits to observe the relationship between the early changes of OA synovia with the pathological changes of the articular cartilage and analyze the variation and significance of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in early osteoarthritis.
METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were used to establish OA models at the right knee, and the left knee joint served as control. Sampling of both knees was performed at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The synovia was removed for routine biochemical quantification, using ELISA method for the hyaluronic acid, IL-1 and TNF-α quantitative detection.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between OA group and normal group in ions concentration. Hyaluronic acid, IL-1 and TNF-α changes at the fourth week: hyaluronic acid level was significantly increased at 4 weeks, decreased with increasing cartilage lesion degree, and returned to normal level at 8 weeks; IL-1 level was significantly increased at 4 weeks, and changed at 4, 6, and 8 weeks in a increase tendency; TNF-α was significantly increased at 4 weeks, and remained increasing 6 and 8 weeks.