Infliximab leads to a rapid but transient improvement in endothelial function in patients with primary systemic vasculitis

Karim Raza, David Carruthers, Robert Stevens, Andrew Filer, Jonathan Townend, Paul Bacon

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18 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate effects of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blockade on endothelial function in systemic vasculitis. METHODS: Endothelial function was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry in patients with active vasculitis after 10 infusions of infliximab. For comparison endothelial responses were assessed after five infusions of cyclophosphamide plus methylprednisolone. RESULTS: Endothelial dependent vasodilatation (EDV) improved significantly within 24 hours of infliximab infusion. The median change in red blood cell flux (interquartile range) was 5.7 (4.3-8.2) before infusion v 8.4 (7.5-10.9) at 24 hours; p=0.027. This was not maintained at day 14. No improvement was seen in EDV after cyclophosphamide plus methylprednisolone infusion. CONCLUSION: The rapid but transient improvement in EDV after TNFalpha inhibition suggests that TNFalpha may have a direct role in the impairment of endothelial function.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)946-948
Number of pages3
JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Volume65
Issue number7
Early online date3 Nov 2005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2005

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