Serum markers of articular cartilage damage and repair.

Joint cartilage is a dynamic tissue that reacts to trauma, inflammation, and other insults by attempting to repair its matrix. This reaction results in the release of cartilage macromolecules into the body fluids. Analysis of these fluids has identified a limited number of at least somewhat tissue-specific markers of altered cartilage metabolism. Analyses of serum are less specific and less sensitive than analyses of synovial fluid, but their use as research tools in clinical studies, drug development, and experimental work in animal models is increasing.