title: Anti-TNF therapy restores the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are associated with greater improvements in the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and, more importantly, a lower risk of joint damage. TNF is an important mediator of the alterations in neuroendocrine axes characterizing RA. Long-term therapy with anti-TNF agents sensitizes the pituitary gland and improves adrenal androgen secretion, thus stimulating an alternative form of anti-inflammatory action.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital L. Sacco, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atzeni
authors.forename: Rainer H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Straub
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.forename: Piercarlo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarzi-Puttini
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha