Serum CS/DS, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 as Biomarkers of Cartilage Remodeling in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications.

Cartilage destruction in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is diagnosed, often too late, on basis of clinical evaluation and radiographic imaging. This case-control study investigated serum chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) as a potential biochemical marker of cartilage metabolism, aiming to improve early diagnosis and precision treatment for JIA. We also measured the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) (using ELISA methods) in JIA patients ( = 55) both before and after treatment (prednisone, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, administered together), and analyzed their relationships with CS/DS levels.

Plasma and urinary glycosaminoglycans in the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to perform analyses of plasma and urinary glycosaminoglycan isolated from juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods, Results: Chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS), heparan sulfate/heparin (HS/H) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were evaluated in samples obtained from JIA patients before and after treatment. Electrophoretic analysis of GAGs identified the presence of CS, DS and HS/H in plasma of healthy subjects and JIA patients.

Circulating keratan sulfate as a marker of metabolic changes of cartilage proteoglycan in juvenile idiopathic arthritis; influence of growth factors as well as proteolytic and prooxidative agents on aggrecan alterations.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma keratan sulfate (KS) level as a potential marker of joint damage in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The influence of growth factors as well as proteolytic and prooxidative agents on aggrecan alterations were evaluated in this study.

Methods: Plasma levels of KS, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 and 5 (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5), and thiol groups (TG) were quantified in samples obtained from 30 healthy subjects and 30 patients with JIA before and after treatment.