Levels of gastrin-releasing peptide and substance P in synovial fluid and serum correlate with levels of cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis

Table 2 Concentrations of sTNFR1 and neuropeptides in serum

Variable	Early RA (pg/ml)	Long-standing RA (pg/ml)	P	Controls (pg/ml)
sTNFR1	1500^a	1900^b	ns	1200^d
	(1300–1700)	(1600–2000)
BN/GRP	3000^a	1700^b	<0.05	340^e
	(2400–3300)	(430–2500)
CGRP	1500^a	820^b	ns	310^e
	(1100–1600)	(510–1600)
NPY	610^a	900^c	ns	930^f
	(370–890)	(700–1900)
SP	170^a	410^b	<0.05	180^g
	(150–300)	(320–440)
VIP	250^a	280^b	ns	290^g
	(210–280)	(230–340)
ESR	20^a	32^b	ns	nm
	(7 – 32)	(22 – 47)

Concentrations were measured using ELISA. Values are medians (and Q₁–Q₃). The ESR is also shown. P relates to long-standing RA versus early RA. ^an = 4; ^bn = 22; ^cn = 21; ^dsTNFR1 value in healthy controls according to the manufacturer; ^en = 4; ^fn = 2; ^gn = 11. BN/GRP, bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide; CGRP, calcitonin-gene-related peptide; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; NPY, neuropeptide Y; nm, not measured; ns, not significant; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SP, substance P; sTNFR1, soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 1; VIP, vasoactive intestinal peptide.

ISSN: 1478-6362