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Posted on Nov 16, 2003, 10 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
New research suggests that the so-called obesity hormone leptin may play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis. Dr Helene Dumond and colleagues from France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique measured leptin levels in synovial fluid, a fluid found in joints, taken from arthritis sufferers.
New research suggests that the so-called obesity hormone leptin may play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis. Dr Helene Dumond and colleagues from France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique measured leptin levels in synovial fluid, a fluid found in joints, taken from arthritis sufferers. Results showed that leptin is present in synovial fluid, and that levels were higher in heavier participants. The study also revealed that leptin levels were abnormally high in osteoarthritic cartilage producing cells, and that the number of cells producing leptin was parallel to the severity of the participants' arthritis. Furthermore, when leptin was injected into the knee joints of rats, the levels of several inflammatory compounds increased significantly. Together, these findings suggest that leptin may play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis. As overweight people tend to have higher-than-normal leptin levels, the study may also help to explain why being overweight increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Arthritis and Rheumatism 2003;48:3118-3129.
