Decreased serum and synovial fluid (SF) uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (ucMGP) levels have been detected in OA patients. This study was carried out to investigate the association of serum and synovial fluid (SF) ucMGP levels with radiographic severity in knee OA patients.
This study was carried out to investigate the association of serum and synovial fluid (SF) ucMGP levels with radiographic severity in knee OA patients.
One hundred sewenty eight knee OA patients and 160 healthy controls among the outpatients in our hospital were enrolled in the study. Anteroposterior knee X-ray plains were taken to evaluate the radiographic severity of the affected knee. The radiographic assessment of knee OA was performed according to the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. ucMGP levels in the serum and synovial fluid were examined utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA).
The mean serum ucMGP levels of the knee OA patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls [2603 (1919~3222) nmol/LVS 2811 (1926~3619) nmol/L, p = 0.045]. Synovial fluid (r = -0.479, p = 0.05) was negatively correlated with radiographic severity.
In conclusion, this study revealed a significant decrease in the SF ucMGP levels of OA patients and illustrated a negative correlation of SF ucMGP levels with the extent of radiographic severity in patients with knee OA. The present findings indicate that ucMGP in SF might serve as a novel biomarker for assessing OA progression.