Comparison of Bone Tissue Trace Element Content in the Different Radiological Stages of Hip Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Bone metabolism and the trace element content associated with it change at each stage of degenerative disease. The aim of this study was to find out about the role of the analyzed elements in different stages of hip osteoarthritis. Elements associated with oxidative and enzymatic processes were analyzed depending on the changes in the radiological images of the hip joint. Element content analysis was performed by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analytical technique. The femoral head in severely osteoarthritic hips (KL3–4) compared to mild grade osteoarthritis (KL2) had a greater content of Cu (median 1.04 vs. 0.04), Sr (median 38.71 vs. 29.59), and Zn (median 75.12 vs. 63.21). There were no significant differences in the content of Mo, Cr, and Fe in the femoral head and neck between the groups. The Cu/Fe correlation was negative in the KL2 group (−0.47) and positive in the KL3–4 groups (0.45). Changes in the content and correlation of trace elements in the hip joint explain the changes in metabolism dependent on the severity of degenerative changes.

Changes in Elements and Relationships among Elements in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

“…However, these authors conducted their studies on a group of 22 patients, who demonstrated second- and third-degree radiological degeneration of the spine. Additionally, Dąbrowski et al found a higher concentration of copper in the degenerated hip joints compared to the healthy ones [ 27 ], which could be the result of the greater accumulation of elements in the bone tissue than in the intervertebral discs. One of the potential reasons for us noting a lower copper concentration in the degenerated intervertebral discs compared to the healthy ones is the fact that the group of patients in the study group was treated for a long time pharmacologically, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rehabilitation, which could lead to a reduction in the lipid peroxidation and systemic oxidative stress [ 28 ].…”