Urinary nitrate excretion is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and reduced by prednisolone

Article Abstract:

Nitric oxide (NO) production may play a role in the inflammation seen in patients with joint disease. However, it remains unclear whether this compound initiates or prevents this process. Doctors analyzed urine samples for NO, C reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels and assessed disease progression of 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and 2-4 weeks after prednisolone therapy. They compared these levels with those of 18 healthy volunteers (control group). All participants maintained a diet low in nitrates and nitrites. Pre-therapy NO urine levels were 2.7 times higher in the RA group as compared to the controls. NO urine levels and disease activity of the RA group decreased with prednisolone therapy but NO levels were still twice that of the control group. There was no significant association between NO levels and the number of joints involved, hours of morning stiffness, ESR, or CRP levels.

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Nitric oxide, Prednisolone

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Initiation and perpetuation of rat adjuvant arthritis is inhibited by the anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) OX34

Article Abstract:

A monoclonal antibody effectively inhibits and slows the progression of adjuvant arthritis in rats. Adjuvant arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Researchers tested the anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) OX34 in rats in which arthritis was induced with mycobacteria. The mAb in combination with the antiinflammatory drug dexamethasone suppressed arthritis and prevented bone destruction, compared to dexamethasone alone. Treatment before induction of arthritis prevented initiation of the joint disease. The mAb may suppress immune-mediated joint inflammation and damage.

Health aspects, Models, Drug therapy, Arthritis, Monoclonal antibodies

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Reactive or infectious arthritis

Article Abstract:

The article discusses the innovation of the term "reactive arthritis" and its expansion to be inclusive of more and more variations, all with a single common thread. Reactive arthritis refers to that disease caused by a bacterial event in the body. It may be related to certain genetic tendencies or not.

Terminology, Infectious arthritis

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