title: Interleukin-6 levels in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis correlated with the infiltration of inflammatory cells in synovial membrane.
abstract: To compare the histological appearance of synovial membrane and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial tissue and synovial fluids were obtained from 51 knee joints with RA undergoing synovectomy or joint replacements. A histological inflammation score was determined based on the hyperplasia of the synovial lining and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The concentrations of IL-6 in synovial fluids were measured by ELISA. The association between IL-6 levels and histological findings was evaluated. We found a positive correlation between the infiltration of inflammation cells in synovial tissues and the concentration of IL-6 in synovial fluids. The IL-6 level in synovial fluid partially reflects histological synovial inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, 852-8501 Nagasaki, Japan. tomoko-m@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsurumoto
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shindo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein