CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10 serum levels increase with age but are not altered by treatment with hydroxychloroquine in patients with osteoarthritis of the knees

Abstract

Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of morbidity and incapacity in the elderly. This study evaluates serum levels of the chemokines CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in 16 patients with primary OA of the knees, and investigates how treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for 4 months affects these chemokine levels.

Method: Thirteen elderly patients received a placebo. Healthy control groups consisted of 10 elderly individuals (age > 60 years) with no clinical or radiological evidence of OA (CT-O), and 10 young adult individuals, (CT-Y group, age < 40 years).

Results: The CT-Y group presented lower levels of all chemokines studied, in comparison to the other groups. HCQ treatment did not alter the serum levels of CCL2 (P = 0.80), CXCL8 (P = 0.76), CXCL9 (P = 0.95) and CXCL10 (P = 0.74) in OA patients.

Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine treatment did not alter the serum levels of CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9 or CXCL10 in patients with OA of the knees, although increased serum levels correlated with aging for all subjects, including controls.

Keywords: aging; arthritis; chemokines; hydroxychloroquine; pain.