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Ann Rheum Dis 2008;67:422-424 doi:10.1136/ard.2007.081315
  • Concise report

Serum levels of sex steroid hormones and matrix metalloproteinases after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis

  1. T Weitoft1,
  2. A Larsson2,
  3. L Rönnblom3
  1. 1
    Department of Research and Development, County Council of Gävleborg/Uppsala University, Section of Rheumatology, Gävle Hospital, Sweden
  2. 2
    Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden
  3. 3
    Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden
  1. Tomas Weitoft, MD, PhD, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gävle Hospital, 801 87 Gävle, Sweden; tomas.weitoft{at}lg.se
  • Accepted 1 September 2007
  • Published Online First 18 September 2007

Abstract

Objectives: To study metalloproteinase activity and sex steroid hormone production in serum after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment for knee synovitis.

Methods: 18 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis and synovitis of the knee with need for intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment were included in this study. Serum samples of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1/TIMP complex and MMP-3), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone, oestradiol, steroid hormone binding globulin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone were collected before injection with 20 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide, and 24 h, 48 h, 1 week and 2 weeks after injection, respectively.

Results: Serum levels of MMP-3 were significantly decreased, but MMP-1/TIMP complex was unaffected. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone and oestradiol levels all decreased and tended to return to baseline levels during the observation period. Steroid hormone binding globulin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone levels were unchanged.

Conclusions: Intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment causes a temporary, but considerable suppression of sex steroid hormone secretion. The reduction of MMP-3 indicates an inhibition of the inflammatory, but probably also the cartilage destructive processes within the treated joint.

Footnotes

  • Funding: The study was supported by grants from Swedish Research Council, the Centre for Research and Development, County Council of Gävleborg/Uppsala University, the Swedish Rheumatism Foundation, the 80-year Foundation of King Gustaf V and Wyeth Lederle.

  • Competing interests: none.

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