Lactoferrin and lysozyme levels in synovial fluid: differential indices of articular inflammation and degradation. 1977

R M Bennett, and J L Skosey

Lysozyme and lactoferrin levels were measured in 71 synovial fluids (SF) of patients with traumatic effusions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, pseudogout, septic arthritis, and gout, as well as in 91 synovial fluids graded according to their neutrophil count. Elevated lysozyme levels were found in all the inflammatory arthritides and also in osteoarthritis. Lactoferrin levels were not increased in osteoarthritis but displayed a close correlation to the extent of the inflammatory response as judged by SF neutrophilia. The ratio of lysozyme to lactoferrin decreased progressively with increasing SF neutrophilia. In vitro experiments showed that lactoferrin is released from neutrophils isochronously with lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase. Lactoferrin was not found in hyaline cartilage, a tissue known to contain lysozyme. These results are consistent with belief that SF lysozyme has a major derivation from both cartilage and neutrophils, and that lactoferrin arises only from neutrophils. These findings indicate that the simultaneous measurement of lysozyme and lactoferrin provides a potentially useful index of both joint inflammation and cartilage degradation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007596 Joints Also known as articulations, these are points of connection between the ends of certain separate bones, or where the borders of other bones are juxtaposed. Joint
D007781 Lactoferrin An iron-binding protein that was originally characterized as a milk protein. It is widely distributed in secretory fluids and is found in the neutrophilic granules of LEUKOCYTES. The N-terminal part of lactoferrin possesses a serine protease which functions to inactivate the TYPE III SECRETION SYSTEM used by bacteria to export virulence proteins for host cell invasion. Lactotransferrin
D007782 Lactoglobulins Globulins of milk obtained from the WHEY. Lactoglobulin,beta-Lactoglobulin,beta-Lactoglobulin A,beta-Lactoglobulin B,beta-Lactoglobulin C,beta-Lactoglobulin E,beta-Lactoglobulin F,beta-Lactoglobulin G,beta-Lactoglobulin I,beta Lactoglobulin,beta Lactoglobulin A,beta Lactoglobulin B,beta Lactoglobulin C,beta Lactoglobulin E,beta Lactoglobulin F,beta Lactoglobulin G,beta Lactoglobulin I
D009113 Muramidase A basic enzyme that is present in saliva, tears, egg white, and many animal fluids. It functions as an antibacterial agent. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrin. EC 3.2.1.17. Lysozyme,Leftose,N-Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase,Glycanhydrolase, N-Acetylmuramide,N Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase
D009504 Neutrophils Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes. LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D010003 Osteoarthritis A progressive, degenerative joint disease, the most common form of arthritis, especially in older persons. The disease is thought to result not from the aging process but from biochemical changes and biomechanical stresses affecting articular cartilage. In the foreign literature it is often called osteoarthrosis deformans. Arthritis, Degenerative,Osteoarthrosis,Osteoarthrosis Deformans,Arthroses,Arthrosis,Arthritides, Degenerative,Degenerative Arthritides,Degenerative Arthritis,Osteoarthritides,Osteoarthroses
D010587 Phagocytosis The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES). Phagocytoses
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D002805 Chondrocalcinosis Presence of CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE in the connective tissues such as the cartilaginous structures of joints. When accompanied by GOUT-like symptoms, it is referred to as pseudogout. Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Deposition,Pseudogout,Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease,Chondrocalcinoses
D006073 Gout Metabolic disorder characterized by recurrent acute arthritis, hyperuricemia and deposition of sodium urate in and around the joints, sometimes with formation of URIC ACID calculi. Gouts

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