[Expression of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the synovium and synovial fluid of patients with Kashin-Beck disease and osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis and progression of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and primary osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS: The synovium and synovial fluid of the knee joint were collected from 20 adult patients with KBD, 18 with OA and 19 with meniscus injury (controls). The expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the synovium were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining, and the levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the synovial fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULT: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha expressions in the synovium and their levels in the synovial fluid were significantly higher in patients with KBD and OA than in patients with meniscus injury (P<0.05), but comparable between KBD and OA groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of KBD and OA.