The Implication of Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic multifactorial pathology and a current and essential challenge for public health, with a negative impact on the geriatric patient’s quality of life. The pathophysiology is not fully known; therefore, no specific treatment has been found to date. The increase in the number of newly diagnosed cases of KOA is worrying, and it is essential to reduce the risk factors and detect those with a protective role in this context. The destructive effects of free radicals consist of the acceleration of chondrosenescence and apoptosis. Among other risk factors, the influence of redox imbalance on the homeostasis of the osteoarticular system is highlighted. The evolution of KOA can be correlated with oxidative stress markers or antioxidant status. These factors reveal the importance of maintaining a redox balance for the joints and the whole body’s health, emphasizing the importance of an individualized therapeutic approach based on antioxidant effects. This paper aims to present an updated picture of the implications of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in KOA from pathophysiological and biochemical perspectives, focusing on antioxidant systems that could establish the premises for appropriate treatment to restore the redox balance and improve the condition of patients with KOA.

Carnosine Alleviates Knee Osteoarthritis and Promotes Synoviocyte Protection via Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway: An In-Vivo and In-Vitro Study

“…However, an imbalance in ROS levels promotes the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Excess ROS levels oxidize cellular macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and DNA, altering their functions [ 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. Mitochondria, peroxisomes, and other membranous structures containing NADPH oxidase (NOXs), xanthine oxidases (XO), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes are important sites of ROS generation [ 92 , 93 ].…”

Combined Administration of Curcumin and Chondroitin Sulfate Alleviates Cartilage Injury and Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway in Knee Osteoarthritis Rats

“…IL-1β has been shown to induce cartilage matrix degradation, inhibit proteoglycan and collagen synthesis, and promote matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production ( Heraud et al, 2000 ; Schuerwegh et al, 2003 ). In addition, oxidative stress plays an important role in the physiology and pathology of KOA, and the enzymatic cellular antioxidant defense system includes various classes of enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, and GPX ( Tudorachi et al, 2021 ). Meanwhile, the concentration of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in the blood may be a candidate indicator of early cartilage lesions in arthritis ( Saxne and Heinegard, 1992 ; Saxne and Heinegard, 1995 ).…”

“…These enzymes induce cartilage degradation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, sustained activation of NF-κB leads to the overexpression and activation of other regulatory transcription factors that contribute to the persistence of KOA disease through the regulation of inflammatory and catabolic mediators ( Tudorachi et al, 2021 ). Curcumin supplementation can reduce inflammation in knee osteoarthritis rats by blocking the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway ( Zhang and Zeng, 2019 ).…”

Does Protocatechuic Acid Affect the Activity of Commonly Used Antibiotics and Antifungals?

“…The PCA antioxidant action comes from the property of scavenging free radicals by donating hydrogen atoms or electrons [ 24 ], whereas the antibacterial activity is due to the action of decreasing lipid oxidation levels [ 25 ], and its antiviral property is due to the replication of the hepatitis B virus [ 26 ]. Our group also loaded unstable and insoluble PCA into magnetic cargo complexes under mild conditions using a simple and reproducible approach to increase its bioavailability and its continuous pharmaceutical effects, by releasing it for more than three days [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”