Development of new joint markers for osteoarthritis

本研究的目的是阐明骨关节炎的发病机制，并利用关节标志物评价治疗效果。关节内注射透明质酸可改善膝关节骨性关节炎患者的临床状态和关节指标。IL-6的降低表明透明质酸对炎症有抑制作用，IL-6似乎是评估骨关节炎进展和治疗效果的一种新的关节标志物。滑膜组织血管数量增加，血管生成相关因子表达增加。这些促进骨关节炎进展的因素也可能是骨关节炎的关节标志物。

The purpose of this study is to elucidate pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and to evaluate therapeutic efficacy using joint markers. Clinical status and joint markers were improved by intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Reduction of IL-6 suggests inhibitory effect of hyaluronic acid on inflammation and IL-6 seems to be a novel joint marker to assess progression and therapeutic efficacy for osteoarthritis. Increased number of blood vessels was shown in synovial tissue and increased expressions of angiogenesis-related factors were investigated. These factors contributing to progression of osteoarthritis are also possible joint markers for osteoarthritis.