Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone

Corticosteroids like prednisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone work by mimicking cortisol, a hormone your body naturally produces to regulate inflammation and immune responses. They stop the immune system from overreacting, which reduces arthritis pain and swelling—but at a cost.

How They Suppress the Immune System:

  1. Blocking Pro-Inflammatory Signals – Corticosteroids inhibit the gene expression of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-8, leading to reduced T-cell proliferation.¹
  2. Reducing White Blood Cells – They decrease the number and function of lymphocytes, including both B cells and T cells, contributing to immunosuppression.²
  3. Shrinking the Lymph Nodes – These glands produce immune cells, and steroids reduce their activity, further weakening the immune response.³
  4. Decreasing Blood Vessel Permeability – Corticosteroids reduce the permeability of blood vessels, limiting the migration of immune cells to sites of inflammation.⁴

Summary:

Corticosteroids suppress the immune system primarily by blocking inflammatory cytokines, reducing immune cell activity, and limiting immune response in tissues. While they provide rapid relief from arthritis symptoms, they do not stop disease progression and come with long-term risks such as osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, and increased infection risk. This is why they are best for short-term use rather than long-term arthritis management.

References:

  1. Barnes PJ, Adcock IM. Glucocorticoid resistance in inflammatory diseases. Lancet. 2009;373(9678):1905-1917.
  2. Cupps TR, Fauci AS. Corticosteroid-mediated immunoregulation in man. Immunol Rev. 1982;65:133-155.
  3. Rhen T, Cidlowski JA. Antiinflammatory action of glucocorticoids—new mechanisms for old drugs. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(16):1711-1723.
  4. Coutinho AE, Chapman KE. The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids, revisited. J Endocrinol. 2011;219(2):R1-R11.

 

“This document is intended solely for medical professionals and is provided for informational purposes. It does not serve as medical advice, and healthcare providers should apply their clinical expertise and adhere to relevant regulatory guidelines. The research summarized herein pertains to individual natural compounds and does not imply specific efficacy, regulatory approval, or endorsement of any particular product, including ArthritiCare by Nature. These findings are derived from available studies and should be considered within the broader context of scientific literature and clinical practice. ArthritiCare by Nature is formulated to complement standard arthritis treatments and is not intended as a substitute for conventional medical care. “

Facebook
Twitter