Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and elastase in aseptic prosthetic loosening.

In synovial-like membranes from failed total hip prostheses, an increased level of cytokines and cellular mediators has been identified. We compared two matched groups of patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA)--one with surgically proven component loosening and one without. We measured serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and elastase. Soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2r) was also measured to exclude any hypersensitivity reaction. We found no significant difference in serum values between groups. Neither were there any differences with respect to implant material, mode of fixation, and periprosthetic osteolysis. In contrast to previous reports, our results suggest that serum levels of cytokines and cellular mediators may not be affected in aseptic loosening.