Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockade improves insulin resistance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;24(1):83-6.

Abstract

Objective: Systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since insulin resistance can promote endothelial dysfunction and anti-TNF-alpha blockade yield a rapid improvement of endothelial function, we have sought to assess whether TNF-alpha blockade may also result in a reduction of insulin serum levels and improvement of insulin resistance in RA patients who require this therapy because of severe and refractory disease.

Methods: We recruited patients with RA seen over a period of 1 month at Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, Spain, that were on treatment with anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody-infliximab. Patients with diabetes mellitus or plasma glucose > 110 mg/dl were excluded. Fasting blood samples were taken for determination of plasma glucose and serum insulin levels immediately prior to and after infliximab infusion.

Results: Twenty-seven RA patients (21 women; mean age: 57.1 years; mean DAS28: 4.43) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Dramatic reduction in the serum insulin levels and insulin/glucose index was observed following infliximab infusion. Also, a significant improvement of insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity was found.

Conclusion: Our study confirms a rapid beneficial effect of infliximab on insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity in RA patients treated periodically with this drug. It may support the long-term use of drugs that act blocking TNF-alpha function to reduce the mechanisms implicated in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with RA.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / blood
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab