Serum biomarkers for Modic changes in patients with chronic low back pain

Lumbar Modic change (MC) can serve as a diagnostic marker well an independent source of chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aimed to test for the existence serum biomarkers in CLBP patients with MC. Age- and sex-matched confirmed MC on lumbar MRI (n = 40) pain-free controls were assessed. was classified into M1, predominating M2 M2. volumes calculated. Fasting blood samples assessed inflammatory mediators, signalling molecules, growth factors bone turnover markers. Serum concentrations 46 measured. Median interleukin (IL)-15 (p < 0.001), IL-8 tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha Eotaxin-1 0.05), Eotaxin-3 monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 macrophage (MIP)-1alpha 0.01), TEK receptor tyrosine kinase (Tie)-2 vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 RANTES C telopeptide type I collagen (CTX)-1 endothelial (VEGF)-C VEGF-D fms-related (Flt)-1 0.01) intercellular (ICAM)-1 significantly higher among controls. IL-1sRII (23.2 vs. 15.5 ng/ml, p 0.001) hepatocyte (HGF)-1 (169 105 pg/ml, patients. Type or volume not associated biomarker concentrations. is first assess profile individuals Several suppressed, while two markers (IL-1sRII HGF) elevated patients, irrespective size, compared asymptomatic