[Prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha concentrations in the synovial fluid in rheumatoid and traumatic knee joint diseases].

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) concentrations in synovial fluid samples from 15 patients with various knee joint disorders were measured by radioimmunoassay. High concentrations of PGE2 wee found in all the samples obtained from patients with knee effusions due to various inflammatory processes as compared to the very low PGE2 levels in patients with osteoarthritis or traumatic effusions. The highest PGE2 levels were measured in knee joint effusions from patients with severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis. Two patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis commenced with indomethacin (150 mg/day) after the first synovial fluid sample collection only. Some weeks later in a new sample a partial reduction of PGE2 concentration was found. The results of our investigations ar discussed with regard to possible correlations between prostaglandins and inflammation on the one hand and bone resorption associated with various pathological disorders on the other hand.