ABSTRACT
<b>Background</b>: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an important rheumatic condition accompanied by synovial inflammation. Numerous leucocytes are recruited and their migration to the inflamed arthritic joints is mediated by adhesion molecules such as E-, P-, and L-selectins. We measured the serum selectin values in OA patients undergoing Mud Pack Treatment (MPT) or treated with anti-inflammatory drugs to test whether the effect of the treatments may be monitored by the level of serum selectins.<br><b>Materials and Methods</b>: 50 OA patients were randomly divided into Group A (30 patients undergoing MPT) and Group B (20 patients receving 50mg diclofenac twice daily p. o.). Blood samples were collected from both groups before and after the treatments to test serum E-, P-, and L-selectin by ELISA methods.<br><b>Results</b>: In Group B sE-selectin level showed a significant increment after the drug assumption. In Group A, a significant increment of sL-selectin after MPT was evident, while sP-selectin level did not present any significant variation.<br><b>Discussion</b>: The study indicates that MPT and diclofenac are able to influence different adhesion molecules in OA patients. The combination of these two treatments may constitute a safe and effective anti-inflammatory therapy in rheumatic diseases.