Decreased synovial fluid pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) levels may reflect disease severity in post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury

摘要

Background: It has been demonstrated that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury-induced cartilage degeneration is the key risk factor for post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis (PTKOA).Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a common neuropeptide exerting a wide spectrum of functions, has been proved to inhibit inflammation and prevent cartilage degeneration.