Objectives: It has been suggested that adhesion molecules may contribute to the pathogenesis of numeruos diseases as mediators of inflammatory process by cell to cell interactions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule -1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methods: Serum concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were assessed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in twenty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis and twenthy-five healthy individuals. Twenty female (80%) and five male patients (20%) were included in the study. The mean ± SD of age and body mass index were 63.0±5.9 years and 24.4±2 kg/m², respectively. Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the knee osteoarthritis group in comparison to the healthy controls (4.19±3.94 vs. 0.72±0.33 mg/dl, p=0.001, respectively.)

Results: There was a significant elevation of ICAM-1 levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis (129.9±10.7 ng/ml) compared to healthy control group (98.6±5.8 ng/ml) (p=0.014). No statistical difference was found in VCAM-1 concentrations between the study groups (154.2±16.7 vs. 126±13.1 ng/ml) (p=0.204). Erytrocyte sedimantation rate, CRP and body mass index positively correlated with adhesion molecules in the study groups (n=50). There was no effect of body mass index on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.

Conclusion: The release of soluble forms of ICAM-1 may be used as a useful marker of inflammatory response and cell damage in evaluating the pathogenenesis of osteoarthritis.