To explore the relationship between the syndrome typing of patients with knee osteoarthritis in TCM and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) in patient' s knee joint effusion.

One hundred and twelve patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were divided into four groups according to TCM syndrome typing, that is wind-dampness-cold blockage syndrome group, wind-dampness-heat blockage syndrome group, liver and kidney deficiency blockage syndrome group and blood stasis blockage syndrome group. Syndromes and signs were typed before the treatment and at two weeks after the treatment. The contents of MDA, SOD and NO were measured before treatment. The symptom score was recorded before treatment and at 2 weeks after the treatment.

Compared with those before the treatment, the scores of syndromes and signs in those groups were significantly reduced after the treatment (P<0.05). According to the order of wind-dampness-heat blockage syndrome group, wind-dampness-cold blockage syndrome group, liver and kidney deficiency blockage syndrome group and blood stasis blockage syndrome group, the content of MDA was significantly decreased in turn, while the content of SOD was significantly increased before the treatment (P<0.05).

The differences in the contents of MDA, SOD, NO in knee joint effusion of KOA were consistent with the clinical significance of syndrome typing of KOA in TCM. Therefore, it can be used to assist diagnosis of KOA syndrome typing.

Osteoarthritis, knee; Syndrome type of TCM; Oxidative stress