Adult ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium Infections ; complications ; Opportunistic Infections ; complications ; Prednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Rheumatic Diseases ; complications ; Soft Tissue Infections ; complications

INTRODUCTIONRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, deforming arthritis that can lead to disabilities and poor quality of life. Cytokines are protein mediators of inflammation and are produced as a result of the activation of various cellular reactions. They are the final mediators and/or regulators of the inflammatory process.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe sera from 64 RA patients were assayed for both Th-1 and Th-2 related cytokines and soluble TNF-alpha receptors (IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, sTNF-R1 and sTNFR2) using ELISA.

RESULTSThe pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and TNF- alpha) were significantly elevated in RA patients, while TGF-beta, an immunomodulatory cytokine, was elevated in control individuals. When the RA patients were categorised as active or inactive based on DAS scores, similar cytokines profiles were observed in both RA sub-groups. However, assays of sTNF-R1 and sTNFR-2 were noted to be significantly elevated in inactive RA patients when compared to active patients.

CONCLUSIONOur findings indicate that local production of cytokine inhibitors is capable of diminishing disease activity and cytokine activity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; chemistry ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II ; chemistry ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; chemistry