Infliximab Reduces Myeloperoxidase Concentration in Chronic Inflammatory Joint Diseases

The present study evaluated the effect of infliximab on the myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration in chronic inflammatory joint disease. Eighteen patients were divided into active and inactive groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell counts, MPO concentration, and biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured before and after the infusion of infliximab. Patients with active disease showed increases in concentrations of MPO and biomarkers of oxidation, but decreases in antioxidant parameters. After infliximab treatment, both inflammatory parameters and MPO concentrations were normalized. In conclusion: (1) the MPO concentration is related to inflammatory activity and could play an important role in the maintenance and outbreak of oxidative stress present in these diseases, and (2) infliximab inhibits MPO concentration. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel