Serum phospholipase A2 activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after treatment with methotrexate, auranofin, or combination of the two
Michaels, R.M.; Reading, J.C.; Beezhold, D.H.; Ward, J.R.
Journal of Rheumatology 23(2): 226-229
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 8882023 Document Number: 466118
Objective: (1) To confirm a previous observation that serum phospholipase A-2 (PLA-2) activity correlates with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and (2) to determine whether serum PLA-2 activity changes after treatment with methotrexate (MTX), auranofin (AF), or a combination of the 2 (COMBO). Methods: Sera obtained at baseline and after treatment from 100 patients with RA (40 MTX, 32 AF, and 28 COMBO) who participated in a multicenter, double blind trial were tested for PLA-2 activity using an assay that measures the release of radiolabeled 14C olei acid from the cell membrane of Escherichia coli. Detailed statistical analysis was performed using previously collected clinical data to determine whether correlations exist between RA disease activity and serum PLA-2 activity; whether baseline serum PLA-2 activity predicted a therapeutic response in any treatment group; and whether there was a significant change in serum PLA activity after treatment in patients who responded to the various drugs. Results: Baseline serum PLA-2 activity was significantly increased in patients with RA compared to healthy controls. No correlation between serum PLA-2 activity and RA disease activity was noted at baseline. Mean serum PLA-2 activity did not change significantly after treatment with MTX, AF, or COMBO in either treatment responders or nonresponders. Conclusion: Serum PLA-2 activity is increased in patients with RA compared to healthy controls, but does not correlate with disease activity in patients, nor does it predict a response to treatment with MTX, AF, or COMBO. Serum PLA-2 activity also did not chance significantly after treatment with any of the above agents.