... othercytokines (e.g. IL-8, IL-6, and leukotriene inhibitory factor),proteases, and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) [30]. Synthesis of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-α and expressionof their ... by the proinflammatorycytokines IL-1 and TNF-α [29–31,36]. NO may be involvedin cartilage catabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of colla-gen and PG, enhancing MMP activity, reducing the synthe-sis ... found in chondrocytes or the articular cartilage surface in OA [29,31]. The activity ofmany MMPs increases in OA by either an increase in theirown synthesis, an increased activation by their proen-zymes,...