Determination of peripheral blood neutrophil extracellular traps and its significance in patients with gout

Objective To compare the expression levels of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) between gout patients and healthy controls, and explore the possible role of NETs in gout.

Methods The serum levels of free NETs in 40 gout patients and 24 healthy controls were detected by MPO-DNA ELISA, and the association between serum NETs and ESR, CRP, uric acid, length of the course of the disease were analyzed. The difference of the serum level of NETs between the colchicine group(19 cases) and noncolchicine group(21 cases) was compared.

Results The serum levels of NETs in gout group(2 119.62±1 843.36)pg/mL were significantly higher than that in healthy control group(1 894.66±113.52)pg/mL(Ρ < 0.01). The serum level of NETs in gout group was positively correlated with ESR and CRP(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), but not correlated with uric acid and length of the course of the disease(P>0.05). The serum level of NETs in gout group treated without colchicine(2 138.24±173.60) pg/mL was high compared with the gout group treated with colchicine(2 099.05±196.23) pg/mL, but the difference of which was not statistically significant(P>0.05).

Conclusions The neutrophils may be involved in the pathogenesis of gout arthritis by forming NETs in a new mode of death. The serum level of NETs may be related to the gout disease activity.