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To investigate leptin's effect on cartilage metabolism and the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA).

Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein levels of leptin and leptin's receptor isoforms were measured by real-time reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot in osteoarthritic and normal cartilage. Osteoarthritic cartilage samples were obtained from two locations of the knee (n=11) and hip (n=6); from the main defective area (advanced OA) and from adjacent macroscopically and histological intact regions (minimal OA). Paired serum and synovial fluid (SF) leptin levels were measured. The effect of leptin was evaluated on chondrocyte proliferation, IL-1β (interleukin-1β), NO and metalloproteinases 9 and 13 (MMP-9, MMP-13) protein expression.

Leptin's and leptin's receptor (Ob-Rb) expression levels were significantly increased in advanced OA cartilage compared to …