Investigations of neopterin soluble interleukin-2 receptor and cortisol in rheumatoid arthritis

Journal/Book: Z Rheumatol 1999; 58: 315. 1999;

Abstract: J.-H. Peters; Kerckhoff Klinik Rheumatologie Stiftung W. G. Kerckhoff Herz- und Rheumazentrum Bad Nauheim We investigated n=28 patients (13 rheumatoid factor positiv 15 rheumatoid factor negative) with rheumatoid arthritis RA fulfilling the ACR criteria previously not treated with glucocorticosteroids and a control group of n=24 patients with osteoarthritis comparable with respect to age and sex. Blood samples were taken around 8 o'clock in the morning and neopterin soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and cortisol were measured. Results: Significant correlations were found in RA patients between neopterin and erythrosedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.002) neopterin and sIL-2R (p=0.006) sIL-2R and ESR (p=0.048) sIL-2R and CRP (p=0.029). In the rheumatoid factor positive (RF+) group sIL-2R correlated significantly with the RF titer (p=0.002). SIL-2R levels were not different in the (RF-) RA group compared to the control group of osteoarthritis patients but were significantly elevated in the (RF+) RA group (p=0.003). Neopterin levels were not different in the two RA groups (RF+ and RF-). Cortisol levels were significantly higher in the (RF-) RA group compared to the (RF+) RA group (p=0.0046). But the inflammatory activity measured by ESR and CRP were not different in the (RF+) and (RF-) RA patient groups. Discussion: In general neopterin as an indicator of the activity of the monocyte/macrophage system is good correlated to the classical mediators of inflammation in RA ESR and CRP There is no difference in the neopterin levels between the two RA subgroups RF+ and RF-. But sIL-2R as an indicator of the T cell system is highly significant elevated in (RF+) RA patients but normal and not elevated in (RF-) RA patients. ... le

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