The platelet activation and the expression of interleukin-1β in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the significance of platelet activation and the expression of inter-leukin (IL)-1β in patients with RA. Methods The activation of platelets and the expression of IL-1β in pla-telets in 50 RA patients(22 high-active, 28 mediate/low active ) and 30 normal controls were determined us-ing flow cytometry. Meanwhile, inflammatory indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation(ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and DAS28 were also recorded. T test and correlation analysis were performed. Results The platelet activation in RA group(19.2±4.8) was higher than the control group(9.0±2.9)(t=10.5, P=0.001). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in RA group(41±11) was higher than control group(21±8)(t=9.01, P =0.000) .The platelet activation in high-active RA group(22 ±4) was higher than mediate/low active RA group(17 ±4)(t =3.96,P =0.001). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in high-active RA group(45 ±10) was higher than mediate/low active RA group (38 ±10)(t =2.329,P =0.024). The expression of IL-1β in platelets in RA group was positively correlated with the level of ESR、CRP and DAS28 (r value and P value were 0.576, 0.578, 0.618 and 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). Conclusion The platelets of patients with RA are activated and may suggest that IL-1β, which may associate with disease activity. Our research suggest that platelet may play a role in the inflammatory process of RA by secreting IL-1β.