ISSN : 0976-8068
EISSN : 0976-8076
ABDULZAHRAKADHEM M.A.1, ALNAALY A.S.2
1College of Science/ Kufa University, Iraq.
2College of Medicine/Al-Qadisyia University, Iraq.
Received : 22-01-2014 Accepted : 03-03-2014 Published : 31-03-2014
Volume : 3 Issue : 1 Pages : 54 - 62
J Pathol Res 3.1 (2014):54-62
Conflict of Interest : None declared
This study was performed to determine whether the serum concentraÂtions of pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1α, and interleukin (IL)-8 are elevated in patients with rheumaÂtoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relationship between these cytokines levels and hematological parameters in RA patients. Serum samples were obtained from 75-patientswith RA who had visited the Division of Rheumatology at Najaf Teaching Hospital in Najaf City and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and the clinical parameters of disease were assessed, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF). Complete blood count (CBC) were performed using automated hematology analyzer Mythicâ„¢. Serum concentrations of IL-6, (TNF-α), (IL)-1α, and (IL)-8 were measured using an enzyme-linked imÂmunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of IL-6,(TNF-α), (IL)-1α, and (IL)-8 were significantly elevated (P<0.0001) in patients with RA compared to those of healthy controls. Although there was no significant relaÂtionship between pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and RBC, Hb, HCT and red cell indices, the pro-inflammatory levels of paÂtients with RA showed a significant correlation with total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocytes and platelets. It has been concluded that the serum concentrations of IL-6, (TNF-α), (IL)-1α, and (IL)-8 were sigÂnificantly elevated in patients with RA and strongly correlated with hematological alterations. These findings suggest a possible role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of RA.