Serum biomarker levels linked with chondroitin sulfate treatment response in knee OA with cartilage loss

Serum biomarker levels were linked with treatment response to chondroitin sulfate in knees with osteoarthritis cartilage loss, according to a recently published study.

“Although this study is exploratory and should be replicated with a larger number of patients to fully confirm the findings, data indicate that higher baseline values of the biomarkers related to collagen metabolism, [N-terminal propeptide of collagen II alpha] PIIANP and [C-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type I collagen] CTX-1, and those related to cartilage degradation [matrix metalloproteinase-1] MMP-1 and MMP-3, and lower baseline values of biomarkers related to inflammation, [hyaluronic acid] HA, leptin and adipsin, seem to be related to better response to chondroitin sulfate treatment in patients with knee OA,” the researchers wrote. “This is supportive of a potentially better response to treatment with chondroitin sulfate on cartilage volume loss in patients with knee OA with greater levels of cartilage catabolism and/or lower levels of inflammation.”

Researchers assessed the following biomarkers: HA; C-reactive protein; adipsin; leptin; PIIANP; CTX-1; MMP-1; and MMP-3. In total, 57 patients were treated with chondroitin sulfate at 1,200-mg per day and 62 patients were treated with celecoxib at 200-mg per day.

Investigators found in patients with lower levels of inflammation biomarkers —HA, leptin and adipsin — compared with the median, those treated with chondroitin sulfate had less cartilage volume loss in the medial, condyle and plateau compartments. However, patients treated with chondroitin sulfate with higher levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 cartilage catabolism biomarkers. Furthermore, patients with higher PIIANP and CTX-1 had reduced cartilage volume loss in the medial condyle for the chondroitin sulfate group. – by Will Offit

Disclosure: Martel-Pelletier reports she is a consultant for Bioiberica, SAU and a shareholder in ArthroLab Inc. Please see the full study for a list of all other relevant financial disclosures.