Effect of novel therapeutic glucocorticoids on circadian rhythms of hormones and cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

John R. Kirwan, Lynsey Clarke, Linda P. Hunt, Mark G. Perry, Rainer H. Straub, David S. Jessop

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedings published in a bookpeer-review

Abstract

The morning stiffness and pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is accompanied by a rise in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) from 2 am to 7 am. Using a formulation that releases prednisone at 2 am (after ingestion at 10 pm), we studied the circadian dynamics of serum IL-6, other cytokines, and cortisol in 9 patients before and after 2 weeks, therapy. Significant improvements occurred in morning stiffness, pain, disease activity, and the acute-phase response. Only IL-6 showed measurable cytokine circadian variation, its high pretreatment peak was abolished, and changes in IL-6 correlated with the changes in morning stiffness. Following treatment, afternoon and evening serum cortisol was reduced, but in the early morning cortisol peak concentration increased. Thus the severity of morning symptoms is related to nocturnal serum IL-6 concentration. The specific timing of the medication, linked to the interaction between IL-6 and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, may correct a postulated deficiency in HPA control in RA.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNeuroendocrine Immunology in Rheumatic Diseases
Subtitle of host publicationTranslation from Basics to Clinics
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages127-133
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781573317696
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2010
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1193
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Keywords

  • Arthritis
  • Cortisol
  • IL-6

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