In vivo analysis of disease modifying drug therapy activity in rheumatoid arthritis by sequential immunohistological analysis of synovial membrane interleukin 1 beta.
OBJECTIVE
To assess sequential changes of synovial membrane interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving chrysotherapy and glucocorticoids.


METHODS
Sequential synovial biopsies taken before and after 2 and 12 weeks of treatment were analyzed by immunohistological techniques.


RESULTS
Significant decreases in IL-1 beta staining occurred in biopsies taken after 12 weeks' chrysotherapy, while mononuclear cell numbers were unchanged. Results were similar in patients receiving glucocorticoid and gold, and in those receiving gold alone.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that chrysotherapy reduces IL-1 beta production in vivo, a property that has been shown in vitro, and that this change precedes changes in synovial membrane mononuclear cell numbers.
Kirkham
B W
BW
Rheumatology Laboratory, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Navarro
F J
FJ
Corkill
M M
MM
Panayi
G S
GS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D007375:Interleukin-1; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D008775:Methylprednisolone