S. Sipka et al., Decreased arachidonic acid release in peripheral blood monocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, J RHEUMATOL, 28(9), 2001, pp. 2012-2017
Objective. To investigate the release of arachidonic acid (AA) in unfractio
nated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), separated monocytes and T
lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods. AA release was measured in cells from 56 patients with SLE and fro
m 48 controls. Of the 56 patients with SLE, 38 were receiving glucocorticos
teroids and 18 were not. [H-3]AA was incorporated into the membranes of PBM
C and purified subsets of monocytes and T lymphocytes. The release of [H-3]
AA was measured both in nonstimulated cells cultured for 24 h and in cell c
ultures stimulated by phorbol ester (PMA) and Ca2+ ionophore for 4 h.
Results. In the PBMC of SLE patients not taking glucocorticosteroids, the r
elease of AA was decreased in both stimulated and nonstimulated cells. Ther
e was a decrease of AA production in monocytes but not in T lymphocytes, Th
is phenomenon could be observed in the active and inactive phases of the di
sease.
Conclusion. A defect in AA production may exist in the peripheral monocytes
of patients with SLE, resulting in decreased release of AA in patients not
receiving glucocorticosteroid therapy.