title: Methylprednisolone infusion therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The effect on synovial fluid lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory indices.
abstract: Paired samples of synovial fluid (SF) and blood were obtained prior to and at 4 and 24 hours following high-dose methylprednisolone infusion therapy in a group of patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis. After therapy there was a significant decrease in numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, immune complexes, and C-reactive protein in the SF. Measurement of lymphocyte subsets, using monoclonal antibodies, revealed that at 4 hours postinfusion, there was a disproportionate decrease in the percentage of SF lymphocytes expressing class II antigens (HLA-DR or Ia-like). These data suggest that glucocorticoids induce rapid changes in SF indices of disease activity and may directly influence T cell activation within the rheumatoid joint.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D008775:Methylprednisolone