To investigate the levels of selenium (Se) and several cytokines (TNF-alpha, VEGF and IL-1beta) in the serum of patients with Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD).
90 subjects were selected, from KBD areas and non-KBD areas of Lhasa, Tibet. Then they were divided into 3 groups: the group with KBD (30), the control in KBD areas (30), and the control in non-KBD areas (30). There was no obvious difference in sex and age in the three groups. The content of Se in the serum was detected by atomic fluorescent spectrometer and the level of cytokines (TNF-alpha, VEGF and IL-1beta) in the serum were detected by ELISA.
The content of Se in the serum of persons living in the KBD-disease areas were lower than that of persons living in non-KBD disease areas. The levels of TNF-alpha, VEGF and IL-beta in KBD group were higher than those in normal control group (P<0.05). The content of Se had negative correlation with the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-beta in serum.
The decrease of Se content and increase of the levels of TNF-alpha, VEGF and IL-1beta may play a role in pathogenesis of KBD.