title: Measures of immunologic and inflammatory responses in vitro in rheumatoid patients treated with methotrexate.
abstract: We examined the effects of low dose parenteral methotrexate (MTX) on immunologic and inflammatory responses of potential importance in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Only 2 significant changes were noted: the number of esterase positive cells in the peripheral blood decreased, and the uptake of tritiated thymidine by incubated peripheral blood mononuclear cells fell markedly. These changes were present 48 h after an injection of MTX, before decreased disease activity became clinically apparent. We therefore conclude that they were direct effects of the drug itself.
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004950:Esterases; D008727:Methotrexate