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Abstract
Objective: Pleiotrophin (PTN), a heparin binding growth factor promotes survival, growth and migration and angiogenesis in various tissues. This study is to measure PTN levels in the sera and synovial fluid in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA) and its relation to disease activity, functional class and radiological staging. Patients and Methods: The study included 35 RA patients, 40 patients with knee OA and 20 healthy controls. Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively assessed. Functional and radiographic grade were also assessed in both diseases. Serum and synovial fluid PTN levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean synovial fluid level of PTN in both RA and OA patients was significantly higher than serum PTN levels (p<0.005).There was significant negative correlation between serum PTN level and morning stiffness duration (p=0.008) and another correlation between serum PTN level and MHAQ score (p=0.039).No correlation was found between serum and synovial fluid PTN in OA patients and WOMAC functional score neither with Kellgren and Lawrence radiological score. Conclusion: The present study emphasizes the role of PTN in both RA and OA. Larger studies with further investigations of the precise role of PTN in the pathogenesis of RA and OA are needed and might lead to novel therapies for the clinical management of both diseases