The levels of collagenase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), collagenase approximately TIMP-1 complexes and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in sequential samples of synovial fluid aspirated from patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective: Collagen turnover in connective tissues is thought to be controlled by the balance between the levels of interstitial collagenase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1). The aim of this study was to measure the level of total collagenase (MMP-1), TIMP-1, collagenase approximately TIMP-1 complex and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in sequential samples of osteoarthritic knee synovial fluid from well documented patients to determine if these parameters changed with time and correlated with clinical indices.

Methods: Twenty-one patients were recruited and randomly allocated to receive tiaprofenic acid, indomethacin or naproxen. Total collagenase, TIMP-1, collagenase approximately TIMP-1 complex and GAG were measured in 80 osteoarthritic synovial fluids taken over a period of six months.

Results: The majority of fluids contained a molar excess of TIMP-1 over collagenase, although in seven fluids collagenase was present in excess; six of these samples were from a single patient. GAG levels were relatively unchanged over the six months studied.

Conclusion: The levels of collagenase and TIMP-1 varied between patients and over time in individual patients. No collagenase approximately TIMP-1 complex was found in any fluid. There was no significant difference in the median levels of collagenase, TIMP-1 or GAG in the different treatment groups. High levels of collagenase were found in one patient with a crystal related disease. These immunoassays give valuable information on the levels of collagenase and TIMP-1 in individual patients with time and may help to determine the mechanisms controlling the turnover of cartilage collagen in different arthritides.