Effect of methotrexate on serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affects many tissues and organs, but principally attacks flexible [synovial] joints. Methotrexate is the most commonly used disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methotrexate on serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 in rheumatoid arthritis. Blood samples were collected from 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [25 patients without treatment and 25 patients are received methotraxate] and from 30 healthy age and sex matched individuals served as controls. Serum IL-1alpha and IL-8 were measured by means of enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. The present results showed that serum levels of IL-1alpha and IL-8 were significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy controls [P<0.01], furthermore, level of IL-1alpha was significantly decrease in patients treated with methotraxate as compared to those patients who have received no treatment [P<0. 01]. On the other hand serum level of IL-8 didn't showed any significant differences between patients treated with methotraxate and those patients without treatment [P>0. 05]. These finding demonstrate that methotrexate turns out to be a good inhibitor for IL-alpha production. In addition, IL-1alpha and IL-8 may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and could be use as.

IL-1 alpha and il-8levels during gram-negative and gram-positive bacteremia in leukopenia leukemic patients

A quantitative relationships between circulating leukocytes and infection was established in patients with leukemia, in particular, the probability of being infected is proportional to the severity and duration of leukopenia [1]. Infection with gram- negative as well as gram-positive microorganisms may lead to septic shock and death [2, 3]. The major functional activities of cytokines are concerned with the regulation of the development and behavior of the immune effector cells. IL-1 is one of proximal cytokines. IL-1 act to stimulate the release of distal cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8, IL-8 is most closely related to the severity of the physiological response to infection and systemic inflammation. This study was conducted to detect the levels of IL-1 and IL-8 during Gram negative and Gram positive bacteremia. That could be useful in determining an appropriate choice for antimicrobial drug depending on the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. IL-1 alpha and IL-8 was studied in [28] adult leukopenic patient with bacteremia, males and females, more than 15 years old. The study was including [20] healthy control. The bacteremic cases were obtained by culturing blood samples aerobically and anaerobically. The isolates were identified on the basis of their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-8 cocentration were measured by using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Statistical analysis show no significant difference in IL-1 alpha levels between Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteremia in leukopenic leukemia patients [P=0.803]. While statistical analysis show significant difference between patient with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteremia in leukopenic leukemia patients [P=0.037]. In leukopenic leukemia patients with bacteremia we may could determining an appropriate choice for treatment depending on IL-8 levels in the circulation of those patients and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern