Influence of metotrexate on cytokine structure and metabolism of the nitrogen oxide at patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

94 patients (87 women and 7 men) with authentic rheumatoid arthritis in the age from 20 till 60 years are surveyed. Patients received metotrxate in a doze of 20 mg once a week intramuscularly. The quantitative definition of IL 1β, 6, 10 and the tumor necrosis alpha- factor in blood and synovial liquid and also spectrophotometric research of the nitrogen oxide metabolites in the same environments and urine. The increased content of the cytokines and nitrogen oxide metabolites is revealed only in synovial liquid and urine of patients (except IL6). Treatment by metotrxate was accompanied by increase in IL1 level, the tumor necrosis alpha-factor and nitrogen oxide metabolites in a peripheral blood. In synovial liquid there was a repeated decrease in concentration of these parameters. It is possible to assume, that the increase in production of the nitrogen oxide metabolites by synovial cells of a joint has some proinflammatory character and has close interrelation with cytokine dysregulation and auto immune inflammation.