Beta-carotene, vitamin E, MDA, glutathione reductase and arylesterase activity levels in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis

Many studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species in the etiology and pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA]. The aim of this study was to investigate the activities of some antioxidants in RA patients. In this case-control study, 59 RA patients and 60 healthy sex and age-matched controls were selected. Vitamin E and Beta-carotene were determined using HPLC. Erythrocytes glutathione reductase [GR] activity was measured spectrophotometrically, and malondialdehyde [MDA] was determined by colorimetric method. Arylesterase activity [AEA] was measured by Phenylacetate. The clinical data were determined by a rheumatologist, medical history and filling the questionnaire by interview. Statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS software. In patients with RA, serum MDA level was significantly higher and plasma concentration of vitamin E, Beta-carotene and GR activity, were significantly lower than healthy control [P<0.001]. AEA activity differences between two groups were non-significant. Oxidative stress may play an important role in the inflammation and pathogenesis of RA

Seroprevalence of acanthamoeba antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients by IFAT, Tehran, Iran 2007

This preliminary study was conducted to discriminate the prevalence of Acanthamoeba antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and healthy controls to analyze the correlation between these two groups. From October 2006 to August 2007 a total of 121 serum samples from RA patients attending the Rheumatolgy Department at Shariati Hospital in Tehran were obtained and stored at -20°C until using by indirect fluorescent-antibody test [IFAT]. RA was diagnosed according to the American Collage of Rheumatology classification criteria. The organism used in this study was isolated from various water resources in Tehran, Iran cultured axenically and then went on a PCR assay based on 18S rRNA to identify the genus Acanthomoeba. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody [IFA] staining of serum samples was carried out to detect anti Acanthomoeba antibodies. In culture, out of 22 samples, 13 [59%] were grown in xenic but only two in axenic medium. PCR amplified a 904bp fragment, specific for Acanthamoeba. Of examined serum samples, Acanthamoeba antibodies were present in 70 [57.8%] and 52 [41.2%], respectively. The highest titer of antibodies [1:320] was detected in one patient with RA. Our study supports the hypothesis that some parasitic microorganisms can involve and contribute toward the development of rheumatoid syndromes

effect of conjugated linoleic acids, vitamin E and their combination on lipid peroxidation in active rheumatoid arthritis

Reactive oxygen species [ROS] have important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA]. We investigated the effect of conjugated linoleic acids [CLAs] and vitamin E on lipid peroxidation. In a randomized, double-blind placebo, controlled, clinical trial 87 patients with active RA were enrolled. They were divided into 4 groups, received one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; 1- group C: 2.5 gr CLA, that contained 2 gr 50:50 mix of cis 9-trans 11 and trans 10-cis 12 CLAs, 2- group E: 400mg Vitamin E, 3-group CE: CLAs plus vitamin E, 4-group P: placebo. After supplementation Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] level increased in C, E and CE groups, CE group had lower GSH-Px than P group [P

[ relationship between triglyceride level - HDL level - tumor necrosis alpha factor and its soluble receptors with lupus erythematosus activity]

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a disease with life-threatening complications. Since evidence indicates that measurement of triglyceride [TG] and HDL levels and tumor necrosis alpha factor [TNF- alpha] and its types I and II soluble receptors plays a major role in evaluation of lupus activity, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the above mentioned factors and lupus activity in Tehran in 2005. In this cross-sectional study fasting blood samples were obtained from 86 SLE patients who had been entered into the study through convenient sampling and the disease activity was calculated using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI]. Scores >/= 6 were considered as active lupus and <6 as dormant lupus. Serum levels of TNF- alpha, sTNFR[1] and sTNFR[2] were measured through ELISA [Bender Medsystem] and blood TG and HDL through routine biochemical tests within 12 hours overnight fasting. The results were analysed by t-test, Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation tests. 46 people [53.5%] suffered from dormant disease and 40 people [46.5%] from active disease. TG level had significant relationship with disease activity, sTNFR[2] [P=0.001] and TNF-alpha [P=0/01], while HDL level had inverse significant relationship with SLEDAI [P=0.007], TNF [P=0.01], STNFR1 [P=0.001]. There was no significant relation between TG and HDL with STNFR2. Multiple linear analysis of regression showed that three variables [TG, sTNFR[1] and sTNFR[2]] are maintained in the model for prognosis of the disease while TNF-alpha and HDL are omitted. Dislipoproteinemia [elevated TG and reduced HDL] correlates with SLE activity following an increase in TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors. Thus, serum levels of TG, HDL and TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors are connected with lupus activity and are valuable markers for the disease activity

[Comparison of the accuracy of diagnostic criteria of behcet's disease in children]

Different criteria for Behcet's diagnosis reveal that there isn't still consensus about the definition of this syndrome. Although a comprehensive study about the accuracy, the sensitivity and specificity of seven different types of diagnostic criteria for Behcet's disease in children, Ras not been performed we planned this study to compare these criteria in the Iranian children with Behcet's disease. Two random samples were selected from the patients less than 16 years of age referring to the Behcet's clinic of rheumatology research center. 177 children had definite diagnosis of Behcet's disease after being visited by the three professors of rheumatology experienced in Behcet's syndrome. Control group were children suspected to have Behcet's disease but it was ruled out. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each of the Behcet's criteria were calculated. Mean age in Behcet's children was 13.6 years and in control group was 12.8 years. In the patients group female to male ratio was 1.1 and in the control group it was 1.3. Sensitivity of different criteria was as follow: Manson and Bames 55.1%, 0' Duffy 60.7%, International criteria 71.9%, Japan criteria 90.4%, Dilsen criteria 79.8%, Iran criteria 93.8%, and Iranian classification tree 94.4%. Specificity of the criteria was as following; M and B 99.5%, O Duffy 99.5%, International 100%, Japan 96.2%, Dilsen 94.6%, Iran 96.2%, classification tree 96.2%. Although some of the researchers believe that current diagnostic criteria of Behcet's diseases due to establishment on the adults clinical data, is not appropriate for children; our study revealed that the current seven Adult BD criteria are reliable and accurate in children too

[Blood antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an autoimmune disorder with unknown etiology. In recent years, a great number of studies have investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species in the etiology and pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidas [GSH-Px], Super oxide dismotase [SOD] in patients with RA compared with the healthy subjects. In a case-control study sixty rheumatoid arthritis patients 18-75 years old and 60 healthy sex and age-matched controls were selected, Catalase activity was measured by determining the constant rate [k] of hydrogen peroxide decomposition. GSH-Px activity of plasma was measured with spectrophotometer by Glutathione oxide generation due to GSH-Px. SOD activity is measured by degree of inhibition effect of SOD in generating super oxide radicals by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor values were determined by agglutination and latex tests. The plasma activity of catalase [p<0.001], GSH-Px [p<0.01], plasma level of hemoglobin and hematocrit [p<0.05] were significantly lower in patients with RA comparing with controls. The reduction in SOD activity was not significant [p>0.05]. There was a negative significant relation between C reactive protein and Rheumatoid factor values with the erythrocyte activity of catalase and GSH-Px [p<0.01]. These results suggested that oxidative stress plays a very important role in the inflammation and pathogenesis of RA

How much improvement is expected in ocular lesions of Behcet's disease treated with pulse cyclophospamide?

The natural history of ocular lesions in Behcet's disease is toward severe loss of vision/blindness in few years, whereas cytotoxic drugs have changed the outcome. Several open labeled cohort studies showed pulse cyclophosphamide [PCP] to be the best choice. Since one third of these patients are resistant to PCP it is important to know how much improve ment one can expect from the responders. To address this question, we selected patients who improved or maintained their baseline visual acuity after treatment. From a cohort of 528 patients [1056 eyes], 753 eyes were selected. At the beginning of the study PCP was given for one month as 0.75 to 1 g in perfusion, and then followed every 2 to 3 months. Prednisolone was also given as 0.5 mg/kg/daily and then tapered upon controlling inflammation. The mean +/- SD number of pulses was 11.5 +/- 8.5/month with follow-up of 20.6 +/- 19.8 months. Different disease activity indices such as visual acuity, posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, total inflammatory activity index [TIAI], total adjusted disease activity index [TADAI] were calculated at baseline and at last evaluation. The mean visual acuity improved from 2.4 to 4.4. The mean indices for posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, TIAI and TADAI improved from 2.2 to 1, 2.7 to 1.4, 19.3 to 9, and 27.2 to 20.5 respectively. The P value was less than 0.001 for all comparisons. Pulse cyclophosphamide is able to improve ocular lesions of Behcet's disease; therefore it may be used as a first choice, especially in retinal vasculitis