American Society of Hirudotherapy

[The influence of hirudotherapy on the biochemical status of patients with gonarthrosis]

Research article published in Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury (2011)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportClinical TrialsLuneva S et al. · Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury, 2011

Abstract

The results of conservative treatment with the use of hirudotherapy of patients presenting with bilateral gonarthrosis were evaluated by biochemical analysis of their serum and urine samples. The study revealed changes of mineral, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism suggestive of the positive homeostatic effect of hirudotherapy at the local and systemic levels. This finding gives reason to recommend hirudotherapy for the treatment and prevention of osteoarthrosis.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeEnglish AbstractJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdultBiomarkersCalciumData Interpretation, StatisticalFemaleHumansKineticsLeechingLipid MetabolismLipidsMagnesiumMiddle Aged

Summary

The results of conservative treatment with the use of hirudotherapy of patients presenting with bilateral gonarthrosis were evaluated by biochemical analysis of their serum and urine samples.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study evaluated conservative treatment incorporating hirudotherapy in patients with bilateral gonarthrosis by analyzing biochemical markers in serum and urine samples. The authors reported changes in mineral, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism that they interpret as reflecting a positive homeostatic effect at local and systemic levels, leading them to recommend hirudotherapy for osteoarthritis treatment and prevention. The work is directly relevant to ASH's domain as it examines clinical biochemical outcomes of leech therapy in a defined patient population. However, the abstract provides minimal quantitative detail on the magnitude of the metabolic changes observed, and the therapeutic recommendation rests on the authors' interpretive framing of these changes as beneficial rather than on reported clinical outcome measures.

Citation

[The influence of hirudotherapy on the biochemical status of patients with gonarthrosis].

Luneva S et al. · Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury, 2011

DOI

Added to ASH library: March 18, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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