PMC:3003518 / 13566-16087 JSONTXT

{"project":"2_test","denotations":[{"id":"19883500-16414972-4203721","span":{"begin":418,"end":419},"obj":"16414972"},{"id":"19883500-14519703-4203722","span":{"begin":420,"end":421},"obj":"14519703"}],"text":"Correlation of matrix metalloproteinase levels with adiponectin in the joint fluid of patients\nTo evaluate whether the in vitro effect of adiponectin on the expression of VEGF, MMP-1, and MMP-13 is associated with the expression of these genes in the joint fluid of RA patients, we measured the levels of adiponectin, VEGF, MMP-1, and MMP-13 in the joint fluid of RA or OA patients (Figure 3). As reported previously [8,9], the level of adiponectin was significantly elevated in the joint fluid of RA patients compared with that of OA patients (Figure 3a). The MMP-1 level was also higher in RA patients than in OA patients (Figure 3b). However, the level of MMP-13 and VEGF was not significantly different between RA and OA patients (Figure 3c, d). Next, we checked whether adiponectin levels correlated with VEGF, MMP-1, and MMP-13 levels in the joint fluid from RA or OA patients (Figure 4). However, the level of adiponectin did not positively correlate with MMP levels in the joint fluid of either RA or OA patients. MMP levels in joint fluid might be affected by other factors like proinflammatory cytokines and hypoxia or by unknown factors. However, the adiponectin levels significantly and positively correlated with VEGF levels in RA joint fluid, but not OA joint fluid. This result suggests that adipopectin may play a role in inducing the expression of VEGF in RA FLSs, leading to angiogenesis and the formation of pannus in RA patients.\nFigure 3 The levels of adiponectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP-13 in the joint fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). The joint fluid levels of (a) adiponectin and (c) MMP-1 were significantly higher in RA patients than in OA patients, whereas (b) VEGF and (d) MMP-13 were not statistically different between RA and OA patients. Joint fluid samples from 30 patients in each group were used for the analysis. Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. * P \u003c 0.05, *** P \u003c 0.001 versus OA patient group.\nFigure 4 Correlation of adiponectin with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, or MMP-13 in the joint fluid from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The level of adiponectin was positively correlated with the level of VEGF in the joint fluid of (a) RA patients, but not (b) OA patients. The level of adiponectin did not correlate with the levels of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in either RA or OA patients.\n\nD"}