Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (Jun 1997)

The effect of methotrexate and azathioprine on the serum levels of IgA-<FONT FACE=Symbol>a</FONT>1-antitrypsin complex in juvenile chronic arthritis

  • J.K. Lacki,
  • K. Klama,
  • H. Michels,
  • H. Truckenbrodt,
  • S. Mackiewicz,
  • W. Muller

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-879X1997000600010
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 6
p. 763

Abstract

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In the present study we investigated the influence of methotrexate (MTX) and azathioprine (AZA) on the serum levels of the IgA-a1-antitrypsin (IgA-AT) complex in patients with the systemic form of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Fifty-six JCA patients (22 treated with MTX, 18 treated with AZA, and 16 not treated with any immunosuppressive agent) were enrolled in the study. MTX dosage ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 mg kg-1 week-1, while AZA was given daily at an average dose of 1 mg/kg. MTX was given for 13 months (SD = 7 months) whereas AZA for 11 months (SD = 6 months). The average value of the complex was higher in JCA patients than in both control groups (0.74 ± 0.73 U vs 0.37 ± 0.13 U (control children), Pa1-acid-glycoprotein (r = 0.45, Pa1-antichymotrypsin (r = 0.52, Pa1-antitrypsin (r = 0.40, P<0.01) and IgA (r = 0.56, P<0.01) was established

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