LEVELS OF SOLUBLE RECEPTORS FOR TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR TYPE-I AND TYPE-II IN PAIRED SYNOVIAL-FLUIDS OF ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

The objective of this study was to determine whether levels of soluble receptors for tumor necrosis factor type I and type II (sTNF-RI and s TNF-RII) as measured in paired synovial fluids (SF) of arthritis patie nts are associated with clinical or laboratory parameters of local inf lammation. sTNF-RI and -RII were measured by ELISA. We found that sTNF -RI and -RII did not correlate with activity of local inflammation. sT NF-RI levels correlated with sTNF-RII concentrations. We concluded tha t sTNF-RI and -II did not represent markers for local disease activity in arthritis patients.