title: Cytokine levels in human synovial fluid during the different stages of acute gout: role of transforming growth factor β1 in the resolution phase.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the most relevant parameters in synovial fluid (SF) during the various stages of acute gout.
  
  
  METHODS
  SFs from 38 gouty patients were analysed for white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factorα (TNFα) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Patients were divided into three groups according to the length of time since onset of the attack: phase I (0-48 h), phase II (days 3-4) and phase III (days 5-7).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of WBCs were similar in SFs from phases I and II, while phase III showed the lowest WBC count. Percentages of PMNs were raised in all SFs. None of the cytokines analysed differed between phases I and II except for TGFβ1, which was higher in phase II. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα were higher in group 1 than in group 3. Levels of all the cytokines assessed, with the exception of TGFβ1, were significantly lower in phase III than in phase II IL-1β, p<0.05; IL-6, p<0.01; IL-8, p<0.001; TNFα, p<0.05).TGFβ1 levels were highest in SFs from phase III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytokine levels in SFs may change depending on the different stages of acute gout, highlighting the role of TGFβ1 in the resolution of gout.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scanu
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliviero
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramonda
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frallonardo
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dayer
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Punzi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1