TNFα regulates cortisol metabolism in vivo in patients with inflammatory arthritis

Dominika E Nanus, Andrew D Filer, Beverly Hughes, Benjamin A Fisher, Peter C Taylor, Paul M Stewart, Christopher D Buckley, Iain McInnes, Mark S Cooper, Karim Raza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between inflammation and glucocorticoid metabolism in vivo, in a clinical study of patients with inflammatory arthritis treated with anti-TNFα therapy.

METHODS: Urine samples were collected from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) as part of a multicentre study assessing responses to infliximab and etanercept. Systemic measures of glucocorticoid metabolism were assessed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at weeks 0 (baseline), 4 and 12 after anti-TNFα therapy. Clinical data including DAS28 and C-reactive protein were also collected.

RESULTS: Systemic measures of 11β-HSD1 activity in patients with inflammatory arthritis decreased significantly following anti-TNFα therapy in patients with RA and PsA. Additionally, the activity of the glucocorticoid inactivating enzyme 5α-reductase appeared to increase significantly.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the increased 11β-HSD1 activity seen in patients with inflammatory arthritis is mediated through TNFα. Furthermore, the changes in related glucocorticoid metabolising enzymes suggest that there is a coordinated change in glucocorticoid metabolism which promotes higher tissue glucocorticoid levels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)464-469
JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Volume74
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2014

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