Topic Review
Antinuclear Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis is a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by immune abnormalities, leading to vasculopathy and fibrosis. Autoantibody testing has become an increasingly important part of diagnosis and prognostication. Clinicians have been limited to antinuclear antibody (ANA), antitopoisomerase I (also known as anti-Scl-70) antibody, and anticentromere antibody testing. ANA are common in the general population, occurring in up to 20% of women. The presence of an ANA is not necessarily suggestive of a pathologic process, particularly at low titers.
  • 571
  • 06 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Probiotics in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis
The World Health Organization in 2002 defined probiotics as “living organisms in food and dietary supplements that upon ingestion can improve the health of the host beyond their inherent basic nutritional content”. Naturally presents in fruits, raw vegetables, dairy products (in particular fermented ones), they are an integral part of the gut microbiota as a component of commensal flora. The main probiotic microorganisms used in human nutrition are lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
  • 571
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Therapy of the Rheumatic Knee
In rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of the lower extremities are almost always affected. This is most conspicuous in the knee joint. In rheumatics, inflammatory osteoarthritis manifests itself comparably earlier than in patients with osteoarthritis. The focus of attention was primarily on the synovia with its destruction process and secondary changes. Now, driven by experimental research, dendritic cells and fibroblasts and molecular features are moving into the clinician’s field of vision. Even in joints that appear to be in remission with no swelling or pain, the activity of these cells leads to changes in the capsule-ligaments. The complex deformities and instabilities caused by this, in conjunction with atrophy of the inter-articular musculature, have an impact on the activities of daily life (ADL). If these biomechanical aspects of the knee joint are not taken into account early on in therapy, the frequency of primary and secondary surgical treatment increases. The timely recognition of biomechanical pathologies and consistent treatment can contribute to improving the patient situation in addition to adequate medication therapy. 
  • 562
  • 07 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Paradoxical Duel Role of Collagen in Rheumatoid Arthritis
In biology, collagen-biomaterial regulates several signaling mechanisms of bone and immune cells involved in tissue repair and any imbalance in collagen turnover may affect the homeostasis of cells, becoming a major cause of several complications. The administration of oral collagen may play a potential role in returning cells to their normal function. For several decades, the beneficial effects of collagen have been explored widely, and thus many commercial products are available in cosmetics, food, and biomedical fields. For instance, collagen-based-products have been widely used to treat the complications of cartilage-related-disorders. Many researchers are reporting the anti-arthritogenic properties of collagen-based materials. In contrast, collagen, especially type-II collagen (CII), has been widely used to induce arthritis by immunization in an animal-model with or without adjuvants, and the potentially immunogenic-properties of collagen have been continuously reported for a long time. Additionally, the immune tolerance of collagen is mainly regulated by the T-lymphocytes and B-cells. This controversial hypothesis is getting more and more evidence nowadays from both sides to support its mechanism. 
  • 570
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Biomarkers
The application of precision medicine paradigm in the daily treatment of patients has been greatly hampered by the lack of robust biomarkers. Lipid mediators are central in the regulation of host immune responses during both the initiation and resolution of inflammation. Amongst lipid mediators, the specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) govern immune cells to promote the resolution of inflammation. These autacoids are produced via the stereoselective conversion of essential fatty acids to yield molecules that are dynamically regulated during inflammation and exert potent immunoregulatory activities. Furthermore, there is an increasing appreciation for the role that these mediators play in conveying the biological actions of several anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Identification and quantitation of these mediators has traditionally been achieved using hyphenated mass spectrometric techniques, primarily liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. 
  • 546
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) carries significant risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Traditional ASCVD risk factors fail to account for this accelerated atherosclerosis. Shared inflammatory pathways are fundamental in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Considering the impact of RA in increasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the characterization of therapies encompassing both RA and ASCVD management merit high priority. Despite little progress, several drugs discussed here promote remission and or lower rheumatoid disease activity while simultaneously conferring some level of atheroprotection. Methotrexate, a widely used disease-modifying drug used in RA, is associated with significant reduction in cardiovascular adverse events. MTX promotes cholesterol efflux from macrophages, upregulates free radical scavenging and improves endothelial function. Likewise, the sulfonamide drug sulfasalazine positively impacts the lipid profile by increasing HDL-C, and its use in RA has been correlated with reduced risk of myocardial infraction.
  • 532
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles in Osteoarthritis
Along with cytokines, extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by immune cells in the joint contribute to osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. By high-resolution flow cytometry, we characterized 18 surface markers and 4 proinflammatory cytokines carried by EVs of various sizes in plasma and synovial fluid (SF) from individuals with knee OA, with a primary focus on immune cells that play a major role in OA pathogenesis.
  • 530
  • 09 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Tendinopathies
Tendinopathy is an umbrella term used to identify a complex clinical condition characterized by molecular, cellular, and histological changes occurring in affected tendons that leads to persistent pain, swelling, and impaired physical performance. Several pathogenic mechanisms are involved in the occurrence of this condition. High load demands and repetitive mechanical exposure during exercise act as primum movens of tendinopathy.
  • 522
  • 08 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Affective Disturbance in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory synovitis-based systemic immune disease of unknown etiology. In addition to joint pathological damage, RA has been linked to neuropsychiatric comorbidities, including depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety, increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases in life.
  • 520
  • 04 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants against Obesity and Arthritis
Obesity is a significant health concern, as it causes a massive cascade of chronic inflammations and multiple morbidities. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are chronic inflammatory conditions and often manifest as comorbidities of obesity. Adipose tissues serve as a reservoir of energy as well as releasing several inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) that stimulate low-grade chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, fatty liver disease, oxidative stress, and chronic kidney diseases. Dietary intake, low physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic and environmental factors can influence obesity and arthritis. Current arthritis management using modern medicines produces various adverse reactions. Medicinal plants have been a significant part of traditional medicine, and various plants and phytochemicals have shown effectiveness against arthritis and obesity; however, scientifically, this traditional plant-based treatment option needs validation through proper clinical trials and toxicity tests. In addition, essential oils obtained from aromatic plants are being widely used for complementary therapy (e.g., aromatherapy, smelling, spicing, and consumption with food) against arthritis and obesity; scientific evidence is necessary to support their effectiveness.
  • 518
  • 08 Mar 2022
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