Measurement of synovial fluid glutathione concentration in various pathophysiological states of knee joint – pilot study

Abstract

Background. Glutathione(GSH) is a tripeptide which consists of glutamate, glicyne, cysteine. It can be observed in every cell of human body, however the biggest concentrarion of GSH is found in liver, kidneys and eye lens. For many years it is described as a one of major antioxidants, which plays important role in neutralising reactive oxygen species. Aim. The aim of this study was to assess usefulness of modified Beutler method to compare glutathione level is synovial fluid from patients with osteoarthrtitis, patients after artroscopy and patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury and/or injury of menisci Material. Research material consist of 36 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, ligaments, menisci and joint capsule ruptures or after crucial ligament reconstruction and/or meniscotomy. Patients were recruited from Univesity Hospital of Nicholas Copernicus in Cracow, 5th Army Hospital in Cracow and Orthopedic Hospital Ortopedicum in Cracow. Method. Glutation was marked according to E. Beutler in authors modification. Result. Higher glutathione levels were shown in knee osteoarthritis samples which might be adaptive mechanism, to protect chondrocytes and support their regeneration. Red blood cells appearance did not increase glutathione level. Conclusions. Increased glutathione level in samples from patients with osteoarthritis might be protection of chondrocities. Red blood cells appearance did not increase glutathione level what may suggest that they were damaged