Cytokine system and cartilaginous tissue metabolism of 27 women affected by 0-1 stage of primary and 19 women affected by 0-1 stage of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA) have been studied as well as of 10 healthy persons of the control group. The enzyme-linked immunoassay method was used to determine the content of cartilage oligometric matrix protein (СOMP), cartilage glucoprotein (YKL-40), interleukins (ILs) 4 and 1β in blood serum, collagen fragments (CTX II) in urine. It was found that СOMP, CTX II, YKL-40 and IL-1β concentrations grew at more intensive rate in case of primary OA compared to post-traumatic OA. The diminution of correlation relationship strength in IL-1β serum concentrations is noted with the system level of cartilaginous tissue degradation products on the background of YKL-40 regulatory influence buildup which is more prominent with primary OA than it is with the post-traumatic one. Conclusions: early stages of primary OA are characterized by more prominent degenerative changes in the joint hyaline cartilage due to losses of type II collagen and hyperproduction of proinflammatory link cytokines with the background of YKL-40 regulatory influence buildup and reduction of the IL-1β influence. The changes of cartilaginous tissue metabolism with post-traumatic OA were characterized by preservation of dependence on IL-1β serum concentration with the background of reduction of YKL-40 influence.