The CorrelationStudy between Serum Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in AL-NajafGovernorate

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease of the musculoskeletal system that is associated with considerable morbidity and diminished quality of life. Serum samples were obtained from 70 patients with RA who had visited the Division of Rheumatology at AL-Sadder Teaching Hospital in AL- AL-Najaf City and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and the clinical parameters of disease were assessed, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF).Serum concentrations of IL-6, (TNF-α), (IL)-1α, (IL)-8 and serum level of ferritin were measured using an enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of IL-6, (TNF-α), (IL)-1α, and (IL)-8weresignificantly elevated (P<0.0001) in patients with RA compared to those of healthy controls. Serum levels of ferritin were also significantly elevated (P<0.0001) in patients with RA compared to those of healthy controls. There were a good significant correlation between these cytokines and acute phase markers. It has been concluded that the serum concentrations of IL-6, (TNF-α), (IL)-1α, and (IL)-8 were significantly elevated in patients with RA and strongly correlated with acute phase markers. These findings suggest a possible role for these cytokinesin the pathogenesis of RA.