To investigate the effects of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and DEX on production of IL-1 β, IL-6 and TNF-α, synovial cells were observed after IL-1 β administration in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Synovial tissue was obtained aseptically from 8 rheumatoid arthritis patients during joint surgery. The dissected tissue was treated with collagenase and adherent cells were passaged before using as samples. They were stimulated with IL-1 β (1ng/ml) and cultured with DMARDs and DEX in serum-free media.
After 24 hours' incubation, the production of IL-1 β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatants was measured.
Results: DEX inhibited the production of IL-6. GST inhibited the production of IL-1 β and IL-6.
Conclusion: DEX and GST may modulate the disease activity by inhibiting the cytokine production from synovial cells.