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Serum chemokines in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with cyclosporin A
P Macchioni1, L Boiardi, R Meliconi
1Unita' Reumatologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Objective:
To evaluate the levels of serum chemokines in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) before and during cyclosporin A (CyA) treatment.
Methods:
Sixteen outpatients with active PsA were followed for 6 months during low dosage CyA treatment. Serum chemokines of the C-X-C and C-C groups were determined by ELISA at the baseline. Serum RANTES levels were measured at 2 month intervals for 6 months. Serum chemokine levels were related with clinical and laboratory disease activity variables.
Results:
Serum interleukin 8 and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha levels were undetectable at baseline. Mean serum growth related gene product-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 values were reduced and serum RANTES were elevated compared to controls. CyA treatment did not change serum RANTES levels. Patients with PsA with persistently normal serum RANTES levels (4 patients) had a more favorable clinical and laboratory response to CyA compared to patients with persistently high serum levels (6 patients).
Conclusion:
Serum RANTES levels are higher in patients with PsA than in a control population. CyA treatment does not change RANTES values. Patients with PsA with persistently normal RANTES levels have a better response to CyA treatment.