To analyse the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-1, IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IRA) in the blood of patients with early gonarthrosis (GA).
Clinical, x-ray and arthrosonographic examinations to stage GA, to identify knee joint synovitis, degree of pain and joint dysfunction were made in 62 males and females with early GA and 20 healthy donors. The levels of CRP, IL-1, IL-6 and IRA were measured with reference to GA stage and activity of the inflammatory process.
CRP levels did not differ significantly in synovitis and no synovitis, in different GA stages, in patients and normal controls. Cytokines, except IL-6, were significantly higher in patients with knee joint osteoarthrosis (KJO). The highest levels of IL-1 and the lowest of IRA occurred in the group of roentgen-negative patients versus patients with the pathological process of stage I and II. The cytokines content did not reflect severity of inflammation in the knee joints.
In early GA inflammation may be not systemic. CRP level does not correlate with activity of local joint inflammation. Most active cartilage tissue degradation takes place at the earliest (preroentgenological) stage of KJO. This stage is most appropriate for initiation of active pathogenetic therapy of the disease.