Serum levels of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and RANKL/OPG in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome

Objective: To measure the expression of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and receptor activator NK-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome, and to assess the relationship between those factors and disease activity. Methods: We studied 30 cases of SAPHO syndrome and 15 healthy controls. According to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI), patients were divided into active group and stable group. The serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-22, RANKL, and OPG were determined by ELISA. Results: The active group IL-6 (2.34 ± 1.31 pg/ml), IL-8 (36.41 ± 12.93 pg/ml), and IL-17A (29.17 ± 4.01 pg/ml) levels were significantly higher than those in the stable group (p p p p p Conclusion: In active SAPHO patients, there was an anomaly of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines balance in SAPHO syndrome.