MRNA activity in synovial fluid after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

The authors present the results of studies on the transcription level of mRNA (poly A + mRNA) in patients in whom anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed. In a group of 9 patients who underwent this procedure an average increase of the concentration of mRNA was noted--from 1.5 micrograms/ml to 67 micrograms/ml in the first week following surgery. This was followed by a decrease of concentration in the third week to 37 micrograms/ml and 7.8 micrograms/ml in the fifth week. In the control group (16 patients who underwent arthroscopy with partial meniscectomy) an average increase in mRNA concentration from 1.3 micrograms/ml to 4.8 micrograms/ml in the first week after the procedure was noted. It was followed by a decrease to 1.6 micrograms/ml in the third week after surgery. The authors believe the marked increase of mRNA is a result of stimulation of synovial cells and an increase of the number of mononuclear cells in the synovial fluid. The small concentration increase of mRNA in the control group seems to be related only the increase in number of mononuclear cells in synovial fluid.