Variation Of TNF-a And Sex Hormones In Plasma Of CIA And Correlation Between These Factors In Rats

Background and Objective:Rheumatoid arthritis(RA),a common and severe disease, is a chronic autoimmune inflamm- atory disease of unknown cause, which is characterized by synovial hypeplasia, inflamma- tion, and joint destruction.And it is one of major diseases causing disability in our nation.The major pathological development of RA is synovitis, with the invasion of cartilage and joint. Among so many factors causing RA, cytokines secreted by synoviocyte,macrophage and the malignant proliferation of synoviocyte are critical to the occurence and development of RA.The TypeⅡcollagen-induced arthritis(CIA) is very similar with RA in many ways of immunol pathological,histopathological changes and clinical symptoms, CIA is a best animal model that is used to study RA.Based on CIA,we were to investigate the pathogenetic roles of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and sex hormones,as well as the correlation between these factors in rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:1.CollagenⅡ(CⅡ)and complete Freund's adjuvant were used to induce experimental arthritis.2.Plasma contents of TNF-α,estradiol,testosterone and progesterone were assayed simultaneously at different time points.Changes in both new synovium vascularization and arthritis-index were observed along the time course.The correlations between those of TNF-αand estradiol,testosterone,progesterone were studied wlth linear corelation analysis.Results:1.The incidence of arthritis in the rats immunized with CⅡwas approximately 79.1%. Duplication of rat collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model was successful.With the time lasting, arthritis index rose gradually,synovium thickened,synovium new vascular started to proliferate.2.The plasma TNF-αlevels of the model group were higher than those of the normal group, but testosterone and progesterone concentrations were significantly lower than those of the controls,the levels of estradiol were not of difference between the two groups.3.Between testosterone and TNF-α,there was negative correlation shown(r=0.-0.364, P<0.05),also there was the same correlation between TNF-αand progesterone(r=0.-0.304, P<0.05),but those of TNF-αand estradiol had no evidently significant correlation(r=0.173, P>0.05).Conclusion:1.TNF-αplays important roles in RA response and in the cytokine web of new synovium vascularization.2.Androgens and progesterone exert suppressive effects on both humoral and cellular immune responses,and seem to represent natural anti-inflammatory hormones.3.TNF-αand sex homones both play important roles in female RA.which might affect each other in RA pathogenesis.