Changes in Synovial Fluid Biomarker Concentration Before and After ACL Reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Synovial fluid biomarkers reflect knee joint pathology.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries alter synovial fluid composition.
• Changes in synovial fluid biomarkers following ACL reconstruction are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in synovial fluid biomarker concentrations.
• To compare biomarker levels from the immediate preoperative to the acute postoperative period after ACL reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
• Synovial fluid samples collected preoperatively and postoperatively.
• Quantification of 10 biomarkers using multiplex magnetic bead immunoassay.
• Paired sample t-test for statistical comparison.

Main Results:

• Eight patients undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft were analyzed.
• Significant increases observed in interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
• A significant decrease was noted in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2).

Conclusions:

• The molecular profile of synovial fluid significantly changes in the early postoperative phase of ACL reconstruction.
• Pro-inflammatory markers and growth factors increase post-surgery.
• Anti-inflammatory marker TIMP-2 concentration decreases postoperatively.