Bone Abstracts

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, slowly progressive disease of the joints and is one of the most common causes of pain and disability in middle-aged and older people. The etiology and pathogenesis underlying this disease are poorly understood. Progranulin (PGRN), a secreted glycoprotein expressed in many cell types, has been linked to wide variety of biological processes. In recent years, increasing evidence suggests that PRGN stimulates chondrocyte proliferation and is considered an essential regulator of cartilage metabolism. Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), a member of transforming growth factor-β superfamily of proteins, is involved in bone and cartilage development and induces chondrogenesis. This study aimed to investigate serum BMP-4 and PRGN levels in patients with OA and present a new evidence of pathogenesis OA disease. The study included 38 female osteoarthritis patients and 38 female healthy volunteers. Serum PRGN and BMP-4 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also measured body mass index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Mean BMP-4 levels were significantly lower in OA women compared to controls (29,66±13,61 vs 72,81±44,06 ng/ml, P<0.001). Mean PRGN levels were found to be significantly lower in OA women compared to controls (71,93±33,83 vs 268,33±180,45 ng/ml, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in WBC and NLR levels between two groups (P=0.763, P=0.925, respectively). ESR values was significantly higher in patients group than controls group (P=0,022). There was a significant positive correlation between serum BMP-4 levels and serum PRGN levels in patients with OA. In conclusion, BMP-4 and PRGN levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of OA and could be a useful biomarker of OA.