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A pilot study on biomarkers for tendinopathy: lower levels of serum TNF-α and other cytokines in females but not males with Achilles tendinopathy
- Source :
- BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- La Trobe, 2022.
-
Abstract
- Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a painful musculoskeletal condition that is common among athletes, and which limits training capacity and competitive performance. The lack of biomarkers for tendinopathy limits research into risk factors and also the evaluation of new treatments. Cytokines and growth factors involved in regulating the response of tendon cells to mechanical load have potential as biomarkers for tendinopathy. Methods: This case-control study compared serum concentration of cytokines and growth factors (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, bFGF, PDFG-BB, IFN-gamma, VEGF) between individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy and controls. These were measured in fasting serum from 22 individuals with chronic Achilles tendinopathy and 10 healthy controls. Results were analysed in relation to gender and physical activity pattern. Results: TNF-alpha concentration was lower in the entire tendinopathy group compared with the entire control group; none of the other cytokines were significantly different. TNF-alpha levels were nevertheless highly correlated with the other cytokines measured, in most of the subgroups. Analysed by gender, TNF-alpha and PDGF-BB concentrations were lower in the female tendinopathy group but not the male tendinopathy group. A trend was seen for lower IL-1 beta in the female tendinopathy group. Physical activity was correlated with TNF-alpha, PDGF-BB and IL-1 beta to varying extents for control subgroups, but not for the female tendinopathy group. No correlations were seen with BMI or duration of symptoms. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates a lower level of TNF-alpha and PDGF-BB, and to some extent IL-1 beta among females, but not males, in the chronic phase of Achilles tendinopathy. It is suggested that future studies on tendinopathy biomarkers analyse male and female data separately. The lack of correlation between cytokine level and physical activity in the female tendinopathy group warrants further study.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Future studies
Sports medicine
VEGF receptors
medicine.medical_treatment
Musculoskeletal pain
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Internal medicine
medicine
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Uncategorized
biology
business.industry
Tumor necrosis factor alpha
Idrottsvetenskap
Rehabilitation
030229 sport sciences
Serum concentration
medicine.disease
Tendon
medicine.anatomical_structure
Cytokine
Orthopedic surgery
Physical therapy
biology.protein
Cytokines
Tendinopathy
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Biomarkers
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....6d1b92f65015387a44babd7de5f8bbb9
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.26181/19719568