To investigate whether in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients the immunological changes induced by adrenaline are different from healthy controls (HC).
Fifteen female RA patients and 14 HC were infused with 1 micro g/kg adrenaline over 20 min. Blood was drawn before, immediately after, and 1 h after the end of infusion. Lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokine production and natural killer cell cytotoxicity were determined.
Subjects exhibited mild cardiovascular changes with no differences between patients and controls. CD16(+)CD56(+)CD3(-) NK cells increased by a factor of 5.7, CD3(+) T cells by 1.5, monocytes by 1.6 and PMN by 1.2 in both groups. The numbers of IL-8- and IL-10-producing monocytes were higher in patients and presented a larger increase after infusion. NK cytotoxic activity was higher in RA patients and increased after infusion in both groups. Activated monocytes and T cells were preferentially recruited in patients and controls. Values returned to baseline 1 h later.
We describe an altered response to adrenaline in patients with RA with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, activated T cells and monocytes recruited to the peripheral blood may influence disease activity.