Serum Levels of Coll2-1, a Specific Biomarker of Cartilage Degradation, Are Not Affected by Sampling Conditions, Circadian Rhythm, and Seasonality.

Objective: To assess intraindividual biological variability of serum cartilage specific biomarker Coll2-1 and define the best standardized conditions for blood sampling.

Design: Blood samples were taken from 116 subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) at a single time point (PRODIGE study) and from 15 healthy subjects under various conditions, including fasting condition, sampling time and season, blood treatment, and type of blood collection tube (COVAR study). Type II collagen-specific biomarker Coll2-1 was directly measured in serum using an immunoassay.

Collagen catabolism through Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO2 and myeloperoxidase activity in marathon runners.

To determine the influence of marathon on the serum levels of two markers of cartilage degradation, Coll2-1 and its nitrated form, Coll2-1NO2, and of a marker of neutrophils activation, the myeloperoxidase (MPO). Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO2, total and active MPO were measured in 98 marathon runners without joint pain and with an average age of 47 years. Sera were taken at rest right before the departure and within 30 min after the marathon.

The chemical biomarkers C2C, Coll2-1, and Coll2-1NO2 provide complementary information on type II collagen catabolism in healthy and osteoarthritic mice.

Objective: Compared with wild-type (WT) mice, biglycan/fibromodulin double-deficient mice develop severe knee osteoarthritis. We undertook this study to compare type II collagen catabolism in the 2 genotypes and to compare the usefulness of 3 biomarkers of collagen degradation (C2C [also known as Col2-3/4C(long mono)] as well as the peptide Coll2-1 and its nitrated form, Coll2-1NO2) for evaluating collagen catabolism in vivo.

Methods: In 15 WT mice and 15 biglycan/fibromodulin double-deficient mice, we determined serum levels of C2C at ages 66 and 141 days, and we determined serum levels of Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO2 at ages 49, 81, 95, and 141 days.

One-year follow-up of Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO2 and myeloperoxydase serum levels in osteoarthritis patients after hip or knee replacement.

Objectives: To determine Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2) and myeloperoxydase (MPO) levels in serum of patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) before the surgery, 3 months and 1 year after knee or hip replacement.

Methods: Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2) and MPO were measured in 103 patients with isolated symptomatic knee or hip OA candidates for joint replacement. Sera were taken the day before surgery, 3 months and 1 year after hip or knee replacement.

One-year increase of Coll 2-1, a new marker of type II collagen degradation, in urine is highly predictive of radiological OA progression.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between the levels of urinary biochemical markers of type II collagen degradation and the clinical and radiological severity and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: Seventy-five patients with primary knee OA were included in this 3-year follow-up study. Mean joint space width (JSW) of the medial compartment of the femorotibial joint was measured with a computer assisted method on standardized radiographs taken at baseline and after a 3-year follow-up.

New serum biochemical markers (Coll 2-1 and Coll 2-1 NO2) for studying oxidative-related type II collagen network degradation in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Protein nitration is a prominent feature of inflammatory processes in the joint. We have developed immunoassays specific for a peptide of the alpha-helical region of type II collagen 108HRGYPGLDG116 (Coll 2-1) and its nitrated form 108HRGY(NO2)PGLDG116 (Coll 2-1 NO2) in biological fluids.

Design: Coll 2-1 and Coll 2-1 NO2 peptides were injected into rabbits.

Strontium ranelate increases cartilage matrix formation.

Based on previous studies showing that strontium ranelate (S12911) modulates bone loss in osteoporosis, it could be hypothesized that this drug also is effective on cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis (OA). This was investigated in vitro on normal and OA human chondrocytes treated or not treated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). This model mimics, in vitro, the imbalance between chondroformation and chondroresorption processes observed in vivo in OA cartilage.

Modulation of human chondrocyte metabolism by recombinant human interferon.

Objectives: Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) is found to be elevated in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, suggesting its implication in joint disease pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of IFN gamma on the production of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), prostaglandin E(2)(PGE(2)), proteoglycans (PG), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and stromelysin by non-stimulated and IL-1 beta-treated human chondrocytes. The role played by NO in the responses of chondrocytes to IFN gamma was also examined by incubation of chondrocytes with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase.

In vitro study of the antioxidant properties of nimesulide and 4-OH nimesulide: effects on HRP- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence produced by human chondrocytes.

Objectives: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases and constitute an interesting therapeutic target for drugs. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of nimesulide (NIM), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug of the sulfonanilide class, and its main metabolite 4-OH nimesulide (4-OHNIM).

Methods: The scavenging effects of NIM and 4-OH NIM on hydroxyl radical ((.

Effects of nimesulide and indometacin on COX-1 and COX-2: a comparative study.

Evidence of the existence of two forms of cyclooxygenases and the clinical relevance of COX-2 inhibition led to the development of COX-2 selective NSAIDs. In order to evaluate this selectivity, we have developed and validated an enzymatic method. The precision and reproducibility of the assay were determined and COX-2 selectivity examined using nimesulide and indometacin.

Effects of nimesulide and sodium diclofenac on interleukin-6, interleukin-8, proteoglycans and prostaglandin E2 production by human articular chondrocytes in vitro.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nimesulide and sodium diclofenac, on the production of proteoglycans (PG), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) by human articular chondrocytes in vitro.

Methods: Enzymatically isolated chondrocytes were cultured under constant agitation in a well defined culture medium. Specific radioimmunoassays were used to quantify PG and PGE2 production.

Nitric oxide downregulates interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin E2 production by human chondrocytes.

Objective: To investigate the effects of endogenously produced nitric oxide (NO) on interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and proteoglycan production by human chondrocytes.

Methods: Human articular chondrocytes were isolated from their extracellular matrix by triple successive enzymatic digestion of the cartilage and cultured 48 h in a well defined culture medium. IL-6 and IL-8 were directly assayed into culture media by specific enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassays.

Effects of three avocado/soybean unsaponifiable mixtures on metalloproteinases, cytokines and prostaglandin E2 production by human articular chondrocytes.

The in-vitro effects of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable residues on neutral metalloproteinase activity, cytokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by human articular chondrocytes were investigated. Avocado and soybean unsaponifiable residues were mixed in three ratios: 1:2 (A1S2), 2:1 (A2S1) or 1:1 (A2S2). Freshly isolated human chondrocytes were cultured for 72 h in the absence or presence of interleukin-1beta, (IL-1beta) (17 ng/ml), with or without unsaponifiable residue mixtures at a concentration of 10 microg/ml.

Effects of exogenous IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and LIF on cytokine production by human articular chondrocytes.

Cytokines are potent regulators of the chondrocyte functions. Some of them are produced by chondrocytes and interact to regulate cartilage metabolism. In this study, we investigated the production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-8 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) by human chondrocytes and examined the modulation of their secretion by exogenous cytokines.