S100A8/A9, Exercise, and Creatine in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, and increasing joint pain and stiffness. Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in cartilage degradation, with pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as S100 A8/A9 potentially associated with disease progression and elevated levels of systemic cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP). The purpose of this prospective RCT was to examine the influence of weight bearing exercise and creatine supplementation on S100 A8/A9 levels in patients with mild‐moderate knee OA. Twenty‐six (26) knee OA patients were randomized into 3 groups: (1.) Lower Body Positive Pressure supported treadmill walking exercise, (2.) Creatine supplementation, and (3.) Control. Following radiographic confirmation of OA severity, patients were evaluated at baseline and following a 12 week intervention on the following parameters: (1.) body anthropometry; (2.) knee joint range of motion; (3.) Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire for chronic knee pain, joint symptoms, and dysfunction; (4.) acute knee pain during 30 minutes of full weight‐bearing treadmill walking; and (5.) serum biomarkers (S100 A8/A9 and COMP). A longitudinal multi‐level model of analysis was used to evaluate multiple independent variables at the same time. Data suggested that the LBPP exercise improved KOOS scoring on the Sport/Recreation Function subscale, and that creatine supplementation improved KOOS scoring on the Quality of Life subscale. SCOMP levels were also positively correlated with both acute and chronic knee joint pain, joint symptoms, and scoring on the KOOS Activity of Daily Living subscale. Unfortunately, S100 A8/A9 levels were un‐influenced by either LBPP exercise or creatine supplementation, but concentrations were moderately correlated with patient BMI and scoring on the KOOS subscales of Pain and Activities of Daily Living. Further research is needed to clarify what role (if any) pro‐inflammatory proteins such as S100 A8/A9 play in cartilage degradation, and future investigations should focus on examining synovial based biomarkers that are specific to the affected joint.Support or Funding InformationOngoing support provided by the Max Rady College of Medicine, the Pan Am Clinic Foundation, and funding through the Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.