Women with Osteoarthritis have Elevated Synovial Fluid Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-Binding Protein-3

The present study explores the possible connection between synovial fluid concentrations of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein (IGFBP-3), leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in osteoarthritis (OA). Synovial fluid specimens were obtained from a total of thirty-four individuals with and without OA. Protein-normalized measurements of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and leptin concentrations in synovial fluid showed significantly (P < 0.05) elevated levels in women with knee OA but not in men. This study provides initial evidence that protein normalized IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and leptin levels increase in synovial fluid of women but not in men with OA versus those without OA.