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Protease inhibitors in inflammatory synovial effusions
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|February 1, 1981
Summary
Protease inhibitors in synovial fluid negatively correlate with joint damage in inflammatory arthritis. These inhibitors likely inactivate granulocyte lysosomal enzymes, protecting cartilage from degradation.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Granulocyte lysosomal enzymes may contribute to cartilage breakdown in inflammatory arthritides.
- Previous studies indicated a negative correlation between these enzymes and radiographic joint damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of protease inhibitors in inflammatory arthritides.
- To determine the quantity of five specific protease inhibitors in synovial fluid and their correlation with joint damage.
Main Methods:
- Immunochemical determination of alpha 1 antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, and Cl esterase inhibitor in synovial fluid.
- Correlation analysis with total protein, granulocyte count, lysosomal enzyme concentration, and radiographic joint damage.
Main Results:
- The five protease inhibitors were found to be covariant.
- Protease inhibitor levels positively correlated with total protein, granulocyte count, and lysosomal enzyme concentration.
- Similar to lysosomal enzymes, protease inhibitors showed a negative correlation with radiographic joint destruction.
Conclusions:
- Protease inhibitors are present in inflammatory synovial effusions.
- These inhibitors likely neutralize granulocyte lysosomal enzymes in solution.
- This neutralization may protect cartilage from degradation in inflammatory arthritides.