Cytokine levels in osteoarthrosis patients undergoing mud bath therapy

Osteoarthritis is an important rheumatic condition characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilage. The pathophysiologic phenomena leading to the pathologic changes in the joint appear to result from biomechanical factors and activation of final common pathways of tissue damage influencing chondrocyte homeostasis and a functional program. Several cytokines and growth factors are reported to be responsible for inflammation and cartilage degradation. Among these, IL-1 and TNF alpha have been suggested as important in promoting cartilage inflammation and tissue destruction, while IGF I has a protective influence on cartilage structure. Chondrocytes and their metabolism have gained interest as targets of drug intervention; the results of this study confirm that mud bath therapy is also able to influence chondrocyte activities. Our data suggest that mud bath therapy influences cytokines related to osteoarthrosis pathomechanism and maintenance, and encourage further investigations to evaluate possible synergism between pharmacological treatment and mud bath therapy.