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The relationship between sex hormones and osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Feresin Rafaela G,
Elam Marcus L,
Zhao Yitong,
Hooshmand Shirin,
Arjmandi Bahram H
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.1053.15
Subject(s) - osteoarthritis , aromatase , testosterone (patch) , synovial fluid , medicine , hormone , endocrinology , estrogen , androgen , cartilage , estrogen receptor , pathogenesis , pathology , cancer , anatomy , breast cancer , alternative medicine
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder affecting more than 27 million Americans. Sex hormones have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OA. For instance, up‐regulation of locally synthesized (by cartilage) estrogens and androgens deleteriously influence cartilage and jeopardize joint integrity in women and men, respectively. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide some evidence for the etiology of OA by investigating the influence of systemic versus local estrogen and testosterone levels in serum and synovial fluid (knee joint) of men and women with varying degrees of OA. In addition, this study will compare the abundance of ERα, ERβ, androgen receptors, aromatase, and 5α‐reductase protein and mRNA levels in the cartilage to the severity of OA. Cartilage, synovial fluid, and serum samples were obtained from 30 men and 30 women, ages of 44 to 85 years with knee OA who underwent arthroscopic surgery. Estradiol and testosterone levels in serum and synovial fluid will be measured using ELISA. Protein and mRNA levels of ERα, ERβ, androgen receptors, aromatase, and 5α‐reductase will be assessed by western blot and RT‐PCR, respectively. The long‐term goal of this study is to make progress towards the development of OA treatments that could alter the progression of this degenerative disease by blocking the deleterious effects of local estrogen and testosterone on cartilage.