Significance of serum TRACP in rheumatoid arthritis.

Human serum contains two related isoforms of TRACP: TRACP 5a and TRACP 5b. Serum TRACP 5a protein is increased in about one third of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sera. This study was undertaken to examine the significance of serum TRACP isoforms 5a and 5b as disease markers of inflammation and bone destruction in RA.

Intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis of the knee.

If usual medical measures fail to control the pain of knee osteoarthritis and allow the patient to cope with its symptoms, intra-articular injections of a corticosteroid, a hyaluronan, or both can be tried.

Clinical effects of intraarticular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronan (Orthovisc) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of injection of high molecular weight (HMW) hyaluronan (Orthovisc) in patients with mild, moderate, and severe knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A randomized, arthrocentesis-controlled, multicenter trial. Patients (n = 372) were randomized to 4 weekly HMW hyaluronan injections (O4, n = 128), 3 weekly HMW hyaluronan injections followed by one arthrocentesis (O3A1, n = 120), or 4 arthrocenteses without injection (control group, A4, n = 124).

Development of immunoassays for serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5a.

Background: Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) consists of 2 structurally related isoforms, TRACP 5a and 5b. TRACP 5b is from bone-resorbing osteoclasts. TRACP 5a may be a macrophage product of inflammation.