Biomarkers of oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis patients undergoing sulfur-based spa therapies

Objectives: To investigate the effects of sulfur-based spa therapies on oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation biomarkers in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Design and methods: Analyses were performed before therapy (T0), after therapy (T1) and 1 month after its suspension (T2), in OA subjects undergoing mud bath treatments in combination (group A) or not (group B) with hydropinotherapy, and compared with those of patients not subjected to spa therapies (group C). Results: No modifications in plasma/serum biomarker concentrations were observed throughout the study in non-treated patients, while a significant reduction in oxidation, inflammation and cartilage degradation parameters was evidenced in patients of group A. Group B presented a favorable biochemical profile at T1 but not at T2. Conclusions: To ensure the long term preservation of the chondroprotective effects of sulfur-based therapies, standard mud bath treatments should be associated with hydropinotherapy in order to maintain reduced oxidative, inflammatory and degradative stimuli longer.