Correlation of fatty acid composition of adipose tissue lipids and serum phosphatidylcholine and serum concentrations of micronutrients with disease duration in rheumatoid arthritis
Article Abstract:
Fatty acids are components of fat and are important as sources of energy, as structural elements in the membranes which surround cells, and as precursors of hormones such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which mediate inflammation and other cellular processes. Different types of fatty acids in cell membranes, blood, and adipose (fat) cells have been associated with coronary artery disease and also appear to be a risk factor in some arthritic diseases. The levels of fatty acids and micronutrients in blood and tissue were evaluated in 21 patients newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 21 patients with long-term RA, and 57 healthy subjects to determine if alterations in fatty acids are associated with RA. Patients with RA tended to be deficient in certain polyunsaturated acids, particularly those which must be obtained from the diet, and these changes tended to be more prominent in fats found in blood than in fat tissues. There were relatively more saturated fats in blood. These abnormalities were more prominent in patients with longstanding RA, and they correlated partly with proteins associated with inflammatory reaction, suggesting that they are related to the disease process rather than diet. Levels of the important cofactor selenium were low in RA patients. Vitamin C levels tended to be lower in patients and correlated with inflammation-associated proteins. The study suggests that fatty acid metabolism is different, and selenium is deficient, in patients with RA, particularly in longstanding disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1990
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Comparison of labial and sublingual salivary gland biopsies in the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome
Article Abstract:
Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, xerostomia or dryness of the mouth from dysfunction of the salivary glands, and connective tissue disease, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The xerostomia can be assessed by examination of biopsies of the salivary glands. The biopsies are used as a tool for diagnosing SS. Biopsies from the labial and sublingual salivary glands were compared in order to assess how they were associated with the diagnosis of SS. Specimens from 50 patients, who were suspected to have SS based on the symptoms of dry mouth or dry eyes, were examined. The tissue specimens were examined for ductal structures or foci filled with clumps of cells, particularly lymphocytes, that are involved in the inflammatory response. Foci were found in 14 of the labial and 29 of the sublingual salivary glands from patients with SS; this indicated a better correlation between the disease and the number of foci in the sublingual salivary gland than in the labial salivary gland. However, the examination was more useful for diagnosing SS if both salivary glands were examined. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1990
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Lower frequency of focal lip sialadenitis (focus score) in smoking patients: can tobacco diminish the salivary gland involvement as judged by histological examination and anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies in Sjogren's syndrome?
Article Abstract:
Classification criteria used to diagnose Sjogren's syndrome should include smoking. Researchers discovered that smokers were less likely to have changes in their lip that are characteristic of the syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is a rheumatic disease characterized primarily by dry eyes and mouth.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 2000
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