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Inflammatory biomarkers and physical function in older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis following intensive weight loss therapy
Author(s) -
Carnagey Kristen M,
Miller Gary D,
Nicklas Barbara J,
Loeser Richard F
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1072-a
Obesity is a primary risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (OA), which is the most prevalent chronic joint condition and the leading cause of disability in the US, especially among people over 65 years. The objective of this study was to determine if an intensive 6‐month weight loss program (10–12% of initial body weight) altered concentrations of five serum inflammatory biomarkers (IL‐6, TNFα, TNF soluble receptor 1 (TNFR1), TNFR2, and C‐reactive protein) and to assess whether improvements in physical function resulting from weight loss are related to decreases in these inflammatory biomarkers. Seventy elderly, overweight individuals were randomized to either a weight loss (WL) or weight stable (WS) group. At baseline, higher IL‐6 and TNFR1 concentrations were related to increased stair climb time ( p ≤ 0.03); increased time indicates poorer function. In response to the interventions, serum concentrations of TNFR1 decreased in WL compared to WS (−5.2% vs. +10.2%, p ≤ 0.05), but there were no changes in other inflammatory biomarkers. Decreases in self‐reported stiffness and pain were related to decreases in IL‐6 and TNFR1 ( p ≤ 0.04). In summary, pain, stiffness, and physical function are associated with circulating IL‐6 and TNFR1 in overweight adults with knee OA. These findings suggest that a low level of chronic inflammation may play an important role in modulating pain and function in knee OA.