Expression of synovial fluid biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis and meniscus injury

In the present study, the levels of synovial fluid biomarkers of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and those with meniscus injury (MI) were compared to associate the levels of synovial fluid biomarkers with the degree of OA and MI. Synovial fluid samples were obtained from 51 cases with OA and 40 patients with MI. Severity of OA and MI were evaluated using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) classification and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Osteoarthritis Knee Score, respectively. A comparative analysis of the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as collagenase 2 in synovial fluid was made between patients with OA and MI. We found that synovial fluid levels of VEGF and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with OA than in patients with MI, and IL-10 was lower in patients with OA compared to MI patients (p<0.05). After adjusting for sex, course of disease, and surgical history, no significant associations between K-L scores and biomarker levels were found for patients with OA. In the MI patients, TNF-α was significantly associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score. In conclusion, patients with knee OA and MI have different patterns of biomarker expression in their synovial fluid.