Relationship between Plasma Levels of Homocysteine and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Year 2016, , 163 - 167, 16.06.2016

Ayşe Balkarli

https://doi.org/10.5799/ahinjs.01.2016.02.0590

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate
levels of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, vitamin B12, interleukin-6 (IL-6)
and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and to assess relationship
between Hcy levels and inflammatory mediators including IL-6 and TNF-α
in untreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The study included 55 women including 30
newly diagnosed and untreated female RA patients and 25 age-matched
healthy individuals as controls.

Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESH),
C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly
higher in RA patients than controls (p<0.05). Homocysteine levels
were higher in RA group when compared to controls; how­ever, folate and
vitamin B12 levels were not different between groups (p>0.05). There
were no significant correlations between Hcy levels and acute phase
reactants or inflammatory mediators (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Both mediators such as IL-6 and TNF-α and
hyper-homocysteinemia are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular
diseases. There was no significant correlation between Hcy levels and
inflammatory mediators, although levels of these molecules were elevated
in RA. Both inflammatory mediators and Hcy may cause an increase in
athero­sclerotic cardiovascular disorders through diverse pathways. J Clin Exp Invest 2016; 7 (2): 163-167

Keywords

Rheumatoid arthritis, IL-6, homocysteine, TNF- α

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