Biomarkers of oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis patients undergoing sulfur-based spa therapies.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of sulfur-based spa therapies on oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation biomarkers in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Design And Methods: Analyses were performed before therapy (T0), after therapy (T1) and 1 month after its suspension (T2), in OA subjects undergoing mud bath treatments in combination (group A) or not (group B) with hydropinotherapy, and compared with those of patients not subjected to spa therapies (group C).

Results: No modifications in plasma/serum biomarker concentrations were observed throughout the study in non-treated patients, while a significant reduction in oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation parameters was evidenced in patients of group A.