RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Etanercept Improves Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress Measures in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.121281 DO 10.3899/jrheum.121281 A1 Sara De Sanctis A1 M. Loredana Marcovecchio A1 Stefania Gaspari A1 Marianna Del Torto A1 Angelika Mohn A1 Francesco Chiarelli A1 Luciana Breda YR 2013 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2013/03/25/jrheum.121281.abstract AB Objective To investigate the effect of 1-year treatment with the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) drug etanercept on lipid profile and oxidative stress in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods Thirty children with JIA (22 females; mean age 12.3 ± SD 5.7 yrs), all eligible for anti-TNF-α treatment, were assessed at baseline and after 6- and 12-month treatment with etanercept. Disease activity was determined using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS). Blood samples were drawn to measure the acute-phase reactants C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipids, and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and interferon-γ. To measure the oxidative stress marker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, 24-h urine samples were collected. Results Inflammatory indicators (CRP and ESR) and JADAS scores improved significantly after 1 year of etanercept treatment (all p < 0.001). Proinflammatory cytokines showed significant reduction during the study period (all p < 0.001). Similar reductions were detected in total cholesterol (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.04), and triglycerides (p < 0.001), whereas no significant change was found in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. No side effects were observed during the treatment period. Conclusion This study shows for the first time that anti-TNF-α therapy for JIA is associated not only with a beneficial effect on clinical disease activity and inflammatory indexes, but also with improved lipid profile and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that TNF-α blockers might reduce atherosclerotic risk in children with JIA.