Effects of exercise therapy on knee joint function and synovial fluid cytokine levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

The aims of this study were to observe the effect of exercise therapy on the function of the knee joint and the levels of cytokines and cytokine-related genes, specifically tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), in the synovial joints of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and to explore its mechanism of action. A total of 100 KOA patients were divided into a treatment group (n=50) and a control group (n=50) according to the order of admission. The patients in the treatment group were treated with diclofenac sodium combined with exercise therapy and the patients in the control group were treated with diclofenac sodium only. The function of the knee joint and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated and the TNF-α, hs-CRP and MMP-3 levels in the synovial fluid were measured following 4 weeks of treatment. The results revealed that the knee joint index score and the TNF-α, hs-CRP and MMP-3 levels in the synovial fluid decreased significantly in the KOA patients of the two groups following treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the knee joint index score and the TNF-α, hs-CRP and MMP-3 levels in the synovial joints were lower and the therapeutic efficacy was increased in the patients of the treatment group (P<0.05). In brief, exercise therapy may decrease cytokine and cytokine-related gene levels in the synovial fluid and inhibit inflammatory factor-mediated cartilage degradation in KOA patients, thus, effectively improving the clinical symptoms of KOA.

Impact of Exercise Therapy on Molecular Biomarkers Related to Cartilage and Inflammation in Individuals at Risk of, or With Established, Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Participant mean ± SD age was 65 ± 5.7 years, with a mean ± SD BMI of 29.7 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 . One study showed only the age range, which was from 41 to 63 years and 1 study included only those with a BMI <35 . One study included participants at risk of OA (i.e., no radiographic signs of OA, sedentary behavior, age >60 years, and a BMI >27) , and the remaining 11 studies included participants with or without pain but with radiographic knee OA, ranging from Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grades 1 to 4 (Table ).…”

“…The types of exercise therapy interventions used were strengthening exercise in 5 studies , aerobic exercise in 3 studies , and a combination of strengthening and aerobic exercise in 5 studies (Table ). Biomarker samples were obtained at 4 to 24 weeks following the exercise therapy intervention in all the studies.…”

Cytokine and Growth Factor Concentrations in Canine Autologous Conditioned Serum

“…Most of our current recommendations come from human studies where regular exercise has proved to be beneficial in reducing the pain associated with hip and knee OA. 109,120 Exercise therapy may also decrease cytokine and cytokine-related gene levels in the synovial fluid, as well as inhibit inflammatory factor-mediated cartilage degradation. 109,120 Following the diagnosis of OA, it is generally recommended to start dogs on a regular low impact exercise plan, such as leash walking, treadmill walking, stair climbing, walking up hills or ramps and swimming.…”

Efeito da suplementação com ômega-3 associado à hidrocinesioterapia em idosos com osteoartrite de joelho: ensaio clínico randomizado

“…Zang et al 20 investigaram os efeitos dos exercícios sobre marcadores inflamatórios como a PCR-AS e o fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α), nas articulações sinoviais de pacientes com OA. Os pacientes foram tratados com diclofenaco de sódio combinado com a terapia por exercícios e o grupo controle recebeu apenas o diclofenaco de sódio.…”

“…Os pacientes foram tratados com diclofenaco de sódio combinado com a terapia por exercícios e o grupo controle recebeu apenas o diclofenaco de sódio. Após 4 semanas de exercícios estes autores observaram redução nas concentrações de PCR-AS e TNF-α, sugerindo melhor eficácia terapêutica no grupo que associou exercícios ao tratamento farmacológico 20 .…”