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: November 1, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportClinical LiteratureLuneva 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 AgedOsteoarthritis, KneeTreatment Outcome

Summary

Biochemical analysis of serum and urine from patients with bilateral gonarthrosis treated conservatively with hirudotherapy revealed changes in mineral, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, which the authors interpret as a positive homeostatic effect at local and systemic levels.

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 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

Reference (Vancouver style)

Luneva SN, Tkachuk EA, Chufarovskaia IuO, Tushina NV. [The influence of hirudotherapy on the biochemical status of patients with gonarthrosis]. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2011;(2):25-27. PMID: 21584957

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

PubMed

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