Table 1.
Substance | Early RA (pg/ml) | Long-standing RA (pg/ml) | P | Controls (pg/ml) |
Cytokine | ||||
TNF-α | 8.0a | 7.0c | ns | nm |
(1.0–47) | (1.0–24) | |||
IL-6 | 5100b | 3100d | <0.05 | ndf |
(4500–8000) | (1300–3900) | |||
MCP-1 | 1200b | 1500d | ns | 620f |
(810–1800) | (1200–3000) | |||
Neuropeptide | ||||
BN/GRP | 31a | 17c | <0.05 | ndg |
(21–39) | (7.0–23) | |||
CGRP | 580b | 450d | ns | ndf |
(160–1500) | (230–960) | |||
NPY | 190b | 260e | ns | 180f |
(65–320) | (170–500) | |||
SP | 48a | 58c | ns | ndg |
(36–80) | (42–77) | |||
VIP | 150b | 300d | ns | nm |
(40–200) | (55–630) |
Concentrations were measured by ELISA and RIA in synovial fluid from the knee joints of patients with RA and in healthy control subjects. Values are medians (and Q1–Q3). P relates to long-standing RA versus early RA (Mann–Whitney test). an = 7; bn = 6; cn = 28; dn = 23; en = 25; fn = 2; gn = 10. BN/GRP, bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide; CGRP, calcitonin-gene-related peptide; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; nd, not detectable; nm, not measured; NPY, neuropeptide Y; ns, not significant; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SP, substance P; TNF, tumour necrosis factor; VIP, vasoactive intestinal peptide.