R Thomas1, G J Carroll. 1. Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital, Shenton Park, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of methotrexate (MTX) on the numbers of leukocytes in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Twelve patients were treated with MTX; 5 patients not taking MTX served as controls. Samples of PB and SF were collected at 0, 1, 4, and 8 weeks of the study. Disease activity was scored, and total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and CD4+, CD8+, DR+, and CD25+ lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in PB and SF. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) concentrations in SF were determined. RESULTS: Patients treated with MTX showed significant clinical improvement. No change in PB leukocytes or lymphocyte subsets was observed in either patient group over the 8-week study period. In contrast, the number of leukocytes, the number and proportion of neutrophils, and the concentration of IL-1 beta in the SF of patients treated with MTX were reduced. In addition, in MTX-treated patients, there was an appreciable decrease in SF CD8+ lymphocytes, but not CD4+, DR+, or CD25+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that in RA, MTX acts, at least in part, by reducing the migration of leukocytes into the inflamed synovium. Local reduction of IL-1 beta secretion may contribute to this effect.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of methotrexate (MTX) on the numbers of leukocytes in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Twelve patients were treated with MTX; 5 patients not taking MTX served as controls. Samples of PB and SF were collected at 0, 1, 4, and 8 weeks of the study. Disease activity was scored, and total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and CD4+, CD8+, DR+, and CD25+ lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in PB and SF. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) concentrations in SF were determined. RESULTS:Patients treated with MTX showed significant clinical improvement. No change in PB leukocytes or lymphocyte subsets was observed in either patient group over the 8-week study period. In contrast, the number of leukocytes, the number and proportion of neutrophils, and the concentration of IL-1 beta in the SF of patients treated with MTX were reduced. In addition, in MTX-treated patients, there was an appreciable decrease in SF CD8+ lymphocytes, but not CD4+, DR+, or CD25+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that in RA, MTX acts, at least in part, by reducing the migration of leukocytes into the inflamed synovium. Local reduction of IL-1 beta secretion may contribute to this effect.
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