Investigation of serum interleukin-38 levels in female patients with knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a degenerative pathology affecting especially synovial joints. It most commonly involves knee joint. Knee osteoarthritis, also called gonarthrosis, is seen with increasing frequency in society with change at life expectation and life styles. OA is diagnosed according to the American Collage of Rheumatology(ACR) diagnostic criteria clinically. The disease is divided into 5 stages by Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease is controversial. The aim of our study is to examine the changes in the levels of an acute phase reactant, high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-36, IL-38, and in women with knee osteoarthritis. In addition, aimed to invastigate the relationship between the inflammation and IL-1 family member cytokines at the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. 80 volunteer patients and 60 healthy volunteers who were older than 50 years and diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis according to American Society of Rheumatology(ACR) clinical criteria included at Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital, Orthopedics and Traumatology Polyclinics. 80 patients was divided to four stages according to the Kellgren-Lawrence staging system. In addition, the first two stages were defined as early stage and the last two stages were defined as late stage. Serum hsCRP, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-36, IL-38 levels were studied at Dicle University Department of Medical Biochemistry for all participants. No significant difference were noted between the demographic data of the patient group and the control group. No significant difference noted in serum hsCRP and IL-36 concentrations between patient and control groups. In the patient group, IL-1β and IL-Ra values were found significantly higher and IL-38 values were lower. No significant difference noted between the parameters for the 4 stages and 2 periods of the disease. In conclusion, changes in IL-1β,IL-1Ra and IL-38 levels independent of the stages in knee osteoarthritis support the claim that inflammatory pathways take a part at the pathogenesis of the disease.