Abstract: Objective: To investigate the influence of sulfalazine (SSZ) and 1-Hexylcarbamoyl-5-Fluorouracil (HCFU) on T helper cytokines in patients with ankylosing spodylitis (AS). Methods: Nineteen AS patients were randomized treated with SSZ or HCFU. The RT-PCR semi-quantitative method was employed to determine the mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α). The changes of Th1/Th2 subgroups modulated by SSZ and HCFU was studied. Results: HCFU administration was followed by a decrease expression of IFN-γ mRNA and TNF-α mRNA (33.33% vs 89.74%, 44.44% vs 94.74%, P＜0.05), whereas other cytokines (IL-2,IL-4, IL-6) produced no significant changes(P＞0.05). SSZ administration was followed by an increased expression of IL-4 mRNA ( 80% vs 21.05%, P＜0.05) and a decrease expression of IFN-γ mRNA (P＜0.05), whereas other cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α) produced no significant changes(P＞0.05). Conclusion: HCFU and SSZ therapy for AS patients results in a shift from Th1 to Th2 subsets. HCFU can decrease the mRNA levels of TNF-α.

Key words: Spondylitis,ankylosing, Th1 cell, Th2 cell, Sulfalazine, 1-Hexylcarbamoyl-5-Fluorouracil