The in vivo effects of intraarticular corticosteroid injections on cartilage lesions, stromelysin, interleukin-1, and oncogene protein synthesis in experimental osteoarthritis.

Abstract

This study provides novel data showing the protective effect of corticosteroid injections on OA cartilage lesions not only under prophylactic but also under therapeutic conditions. The effect of TH may be mediated through a direct reduction in the expression and synthesis of proteolytic enzymes, such as stromelysin. Alternatively, the steroid could act by inhibiting the stimulation of protease synthesis by cytokines/oncogenes (IL-1 beta, c-Fos, and c-Myc).