Effects of pulse methylprednisolone on inflammatory mediators in peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

MP therapy rapidly reduces IL-8 and TNFalpha levels in the synovial compartment, with cytokine changes in the serum and synovial fluid reflecting the changes in the synovial membrane. Alterations in TNFalpha expression in the synovial membrane correlated with clinical response to, and subsequent relapse after, MP therapy.