Osteoarthritis plasma proteins

Clinical use Fenoprofen (Gruber, 1976 Brogden et al., 1977) is used as its calcium salt dihydrate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis at a daily dose of 1.2-3.0 g. The drug is rapidly absorbed and excreted with a plasma half-life of about 3 h despite being extensively bound (99%) to plasma protein. Fenoprofen is well tolerated, with dyspepsia being the main adverse effect. 

Flurbiprofen is indicated for the acute or long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase (see Figures 13 and 14). Flurbiprofen is absorbed well orally, is bound to plasma proteins to the extent of 99%, is metabolized in the liver to pharmacologically active metabolites, and the metabolites are excreted in the urine. Flurbiprofen increases the actions of oral anticoagulants and decreases the effectiveness of diuretics. Flurbiprofen is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to aspirin (see also Table 12). 

Plasma MMP-3, TIMP-1 levels, and the MMP-3 TIMP-1 ratios have been reported to be significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients than osteoarthritis patients before hip surgery. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, the plasma MMP-3 and the MMP-3 TIMP-1 ratio decreased after total joint replacement, whereas C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate did not change. Omura et al. (05) concluded that C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate reflect systemic inflammation. In contrast, plasma MMP-3 and the MMP-3 TIMP-1 ratio reflect inflammation and/or degeneration of the aifected joint. 

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