[Effects of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and DEX on IL-1 beta and IL-6 production by IL-1 beta stimulated synovial culture cells]

Abstract

To investigate the effects of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and DEX on production of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, synovial cells were observed after IL-1 beta administration in vitro.

Materials and methods: Synovial tissue was obtained aseptically from 8 rheumatoid arthritis patients during joint surgery. The dissected tissue was treated with collagenase and adherent cells were passaged before using as samples. They were stimulated with IL-1 beta (1 ng/ml) and cultured with DMARDs and DEX in serum-free media. After 24 hours' incubation, the production of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the supernatants was measured.

Results: DEX inhibited the production of IL-6. GST inhibited the production of IL-1 beta and IL-6.

Conclusion: DEX and GST may modulate the disease activity by inhibiting the cytokine production from synovial cells.