Effect of celecoxib on serum IL-1β, IL-2R and lymphocyte subsets in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of celecoxib on serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and lymphocyte subsets in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

MethodsEighty-two AS patients were selected and divided into the control group and observation group randomly, with 41cases in each group.The control group was treated with etanercept injection, and the observation group was combined with celecoxib capsules on the basis of the control group.Both groups were given the continuous administration for 3 months.The serum IL-1β, IL-2R, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD3^-CD19⁺, CD16⁺CD56⁺ accounted percentage of total lymphocytes), spinal function indexes (BASDAI score, BASFI score, Schober test distance, finger-to-ground distance for before and after treatment) and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

ResultsThe serum IL-1β, IL-2R, CRP and ESR after treatment in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.01).After treatment, the serum IL-1β, IL-2R, CRP, ESR in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01).After treatment, CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells and CD3^-CD19⁺ cells were lower than those before treatment, and CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.01).After treatment, CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells and CD3^-CD19⁺ cells in observation group were lower than those in control group, and CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells were higher than those in control group (P < 0.01).After treatment, the BASDAI score, BASFI score and finger-to-ground distance were lower than those in the two groups after treatment, and the Schober test distance was higher than those before treatment (P < 0.01).After treatment, the BASDAI score, BASFI score and the finger-to-ground distance in observation group were lower than those in control group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in the Schober test distance between the two groups (P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions (7.32% vs 9.76%) between the two groups (P>0.05).

ConclusionsThe celecoxib in the treatment of AS patients can effectively reduce the serum IL-1β and IL-2R levels and improve the imbalance of lymphocyte subsets in patients, thereby promoting the recovery of patients' spinal function with few adverse reactions.Therefore, the treatment of celecoxib combined with etanercept in AS patients is safe and effective.