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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
21959817 Development of meloxicam formulations utilizing ternary complexation for solubility enhanc 2011 Oct Meloxicam (an oxicam derivative), a relatively new cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, is a member of enolic acid group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is generally used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other joint pains. Meloxicam is practically insoluble in water (8µg/ml), which directly influences the C(max), T(max), as well as the bioavailability of the drug. In the present study, an attempt has been made to improve the dissolution of Meloxicam by preparation of its solid dispersion using β-cyclodextrin blended with various water soluble polymer carriers i.e., HPMC (methocel IH), methylcellulose (400cps), PVP K30, HPMC (K(4)M), HPMC (50cps). It is reported that when small amount of water soluble polymer is added to β-cyclodextrin, its nature of solubilization significantly increases due to increase in the apparent complex stability constant. Phase solubility studies were carried out to evaluate the solubilizing power of β-cyclodextrin along with various water soluble polymers. The solid dispersion was prepared and formulated into tablets and suspension, which were evaluated on the basis of various official tests. All the studies suggest that formulations of Meloxicam utilizing solid dispersion technique significantly enhances solubility (90 µg/ml) of the drug and results in superior formulations of the drug by using β-cyclodextrin blended with 0.12% w/w HPMC (Methocel IH). Ternary complexation is a valuable tool for solubility enhancement of drugs.
21907587 The role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus ery 2011 Dec The Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine that produces different stimuli in various physiological and pathological conditions. TNF-α contributes importantly to the development of T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells. However, TNF-α is also a potent inflammatory mediator and apoptosis inducer. The significance of the TNF-α involvement in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains controversial. From the genetic standpoint, a number of studies suggest that the TNF-α gene polymorphism is involved in the susceptibility of SLE. Moreover, there is a close association between the TNF-α gene expression and clinical manifestations. In addition, the increased serum level of TNF-α is observed in SLE patients and associated with disease activity and certain systemic manifestations. Treatment with anti-TNF agents is, however, controversial in SLE since induction of antinuclear antibodies, anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin antibodies, and cases of drug-induced lupus have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this context, this study reviewed the importance of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of SLE.
21905597 [Autoimmune thyroid disease and other non-endocrine autoimmune diseases]. 2011 Mar INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. They constitute heterogeneous group of disorders, in which multiple alterations in the immune system result in a spectrum of syndromes that either target specific organs or affect the body systematically. Recent epidemiological studies have shown a possible shift of one autoimmune disease to another or the fact that more than one autoimmune disease may coexist in a single patient or in the same family. Numerous autoimmune diseases have been shown to coexist frequently with thyroid autoimmune diseases. AUTOIMMNUNE THYROID DISEASE AND OTHER ORGAN SPECIFIC NON-ENDOCRINE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: This part of the study reviews the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease coexisting with: pernicious anaemia, vitiligo, celiac disease, autoimmune liver disease, miastenia gravis, alopecia areata and sclerosis multiplex, and several recommendations for screening have been given. AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE AND OTHER ORGAN NON-SPECIFIC NON-ENDOCRINE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: Special attention is given to the correlation between autoimmune thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, syndrome Sjögren, systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for autoimmune thyroid diseases should be recommended in everyday clinical practice, in patients with primary organ-specific or organ non-specific autoimmune disease. Otherwise, in patients with primary thyroid autoimmune disease, there is no good reason of seeking for all other autoimmune diseases, although these patients have a greater risk of developing other autoimmune disease. Economic aspects of medicine require further analyzing of these data, from cost/benefit point of view to justified either mandatory screening or medical practitioner judgment.
21823302 [Analysis and strategy report on overseas large-scale systematic evaluation on clinical ef 2011 Jul In recent years, studies of large-scale systematic evaluation on clinical effectiveness of acupuncture were carried out in overseas. The literatures were conducted in Cochrane Library and overseas journals about systematic review of clinical effectiveness of acupuncture. The Cochrane Library contained a series of systematic reviews for the treatment of 67 kinds of diseases by acupuncture in 2009. Preliminary evaluations of clinical effectiveness of acupuncture on 37 kinds of disease were conducted. The results indicated that acupuncture therapy was effective for 7 kinds of disease, such as idiopathic headache, neck disorders, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting, primary dysmenorrhoea with TENS and knee osteoarthritis with TENS. However, these studies still need improved research designs and sufficient research evidence. The results also indicated that acupuncture was indecisive for the other 30 kinds of disease because of insufficient evidence. Through analysis, results of most systematic reviews indicated that there were no significant difference between therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment and pseudo-acupuncture treatment. Effect of acupuncture treatment was equivalent to therapeutic effect of placebo. The likely reasons may be that some important clinical factors are disregarded in these researches, such as selection of acupoints, treatment with syndrome differentiation, the angel and depth of needle insertion, the proper time for treatment and so on. Therefore, the large-scale systematic evaluation on clinical effectiveness of acupuncture was criticized by acupuncturists. Thus, the pressing problem is to establish a rational evaluation system of clinical acupuncture. The suggestions are strengthening the research on diagnosis and treatment standard, strengthening the quality control of clinical acupuncture and establishing sound acupuncture control group and placebo acupuncture group. The basic researches on the relationship between diseases and acupoints need to be strengthened in order to explore the mechanism of acupoints reaction on diseases.
21796871 Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. immat 2011 Jun BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inflammations and immune-related diseases including rheumatoid arthritis are widespread in the entire globe. The treatment of these illnesses is mainly based on the use of synthetic and biotechnological drugs, in recent years. Tunisian traditional medicine is a potential source of new remedies namely Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae): endemic in southern Tunisia and used in folk medicine to treat many inflammation disorders. Our goal was to assess the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed organic extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and finely methanol extract). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Yields of prepared organic extracts are gravimetrically determined. For the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, we have used respectively, the acetic acid writhing test in mice and the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay in rats. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: All extracts displayed an important analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at different doses without inducing any side effects. This study has demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed extracts. Experiment results provide scientific insight into the ancient practice of utilizing Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. as analgesic and as anti-inflammatory agents.
21786520 [Avascular necrosis of the femoral head in a patient with severe aplastic anaemia]. 2011 Jan Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a pathological condition associated with numerous processes. Most frequent causes of ischaemia of the femoral head include trauma, corticosteroid therapy, radiation therapy, alcoholism, Gaucher's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroid therapy is considered the most frequent risk factor for developing avascular necrosis. In this paper we report a case of a 19-year old female patient who developed avascular necrosis of the right femoral head following treatment of severe aplastic anaemia. Clinical symptoms included groin pain and fever, painful abduction and internal rotation, tenderness over the right hip joint. The plain X-ray was not specific. However magnetic resonance imaging of the hip revealed changes characteristic for avascular necrosis. Conservative treatment was administrated. Two years after the onset of first clinical symptoms the patient is able to walk without pain, although the range of motion of the right hip joint is partially diminished. We evaluated the possible risk factors of AVN, diagnostic methods and prognosis. The onset of avascular necrosis should be considered as one of the relevant complications in patients with severe aplastic anaemia following immunosuppressive treatment.
21656986 Ultrasmall near-infrared gold nanoclusters. 2004 Optical fluorescence imaging is increasingly used to monitor biological functions of specific targets (1-3). However, the intrinsic fluorescence of biomolecules poses a problem when fluorophores that absorb visible light (350–700 nm) are used. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence (700–1,000 nm) detection avoids the background fluorescence interference of natural biomolecules, providing a high contrast between target and background tissues. NIR fluorophores have a wider dynamic range and minimal background as a result of reduced scattering compared with visible fluorescence detection. They also have high sensitivity, resulting from low infrared background, and high extinction coefficients, which provide high quantum yields. The NIR region is also compatible with solid-state optical components, such as diode lasers and silicon detectors. NIR fluorescence imaging is becoming a noninvasive alternative to radionuclide imaging in small animals (4, 5). Gold nanoparticles have been studied as molecular imaging agents because of their bright NIR fluorescence emission around 800 nm and low toxicity (6, 7). They can be tuned to emit in a range of wavelengths by changing their sizes, shapes, and composition, thus providing broad excitation profiles and high absorption coefficients. They can be coated and capped with hydrophilic materials for additional conjugation with biomolecules, such as peptides, antibodies, nucleic acids, and small organic compounds for in vitro and in vivo studies. Gold nanoparticles are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) possess an ultrasmall size of ~2 nm compared with quantum dots (QDs, ~20 nm) (8). AuNCs are less likely to have high reticuloendothelial system accumulation. AuNCs have been studied as agents for NIR fluorescence imaging of cancerous tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention effect (9).
21629299 Fatty acid desaturase 2 promoter mutation is not responsible for Δ6-desaturase deficiency 2011 Nov Dietary essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) require fatty acid desaturases (FADS) for conversion to long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs), which are critical for many aspects of human health. A Δ6-desaturase deficiency in a single patient was attributed to an insertion mutation in the FADS2 promoter. Later population studies have shown this thymidine nucleotide (T) insertion to be a common polymorphism (rs3834458). We examined correlations between rs3834458 variants and fatty acid evidence of FADS2 activity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients selected for low or nil consumption of n-3 LCPUFA as fish or fish oil. The presence of the T allele was associated with higher FADS2 activity, as indicated by higher conversion of plasma n-3 PUFA to LCPUFA. However, the T-insertion/deletion polymorphism did not affect FADS2 promoter activity in luciferase reporter assays in HepG2 or NIH/3T3 cells. Our results indicate that the polymorphism rs3834458 does not appear to directly affect FADS2 promoter activity and is not responsible for a previously reported Δ6-desaturase deficiency.
21626607 Nationwide register-based surveillance system on drugs and pregnancy in Finland 1996-2006. 2011 Jul PURPOSE: The aim of this population-based nationwide drugs and pregnancy surveillance system was to get basic information on the use of prescribed drugs during pregnancy and to achieve more detailed information on drug exposure-outcome associations with data obtained from the Finnish national health registers. METHODS: The data are based on information on all pregnancies ending in births (n = 632,629) or termination of pregnancy (TOP) (n = 117,255) in Finland between 1996 and 2006. The data containing information on maternal background factors, chronic diseases and drug purchases during pregnancy, born children, induced abortions, perinatal health and major congenital malformations were obtained from the Finnish national health registers. Information from the different registers was merged through record linkages based on unique personal identification numbers. Statistical analyses were conducted between the exposed and unexposed for individual drugs or Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification drug groups in multivariate logistic regression including potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Nearly half of parturients and almost every third woman with TOP purchased drugs at least once 1 month prior to pregnancy and/or during pregnancy. The most frequent chronic diseases during pregnancy were asthma, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Previously known causal connections between maternal chronic diseases and/or medication and perinatal health risks were already seen in the ATC-group-level analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive and detailed information for pharmacoepidemiological research on the effects of drug use during pregnancy in a cohort setting is possible with long-term and cumulative data collection.
21373805 Isolation, characterization and quantification of tricin and flavonolignans in the medicin 2011 Mar Njavara is an important medicinal rice variety of Kerala, India, widely used in Ayurveda as a 'health food' and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, paralysis, neurodegenerative diseases and in rejuvenation therapy. Phytochemical investigations and spectroscopic studies of the diethyl ether fraction of methanolic extract of Njavara Black (NB) rice bran gave three important compounds namely, tricin and two rare flavonolignans- tricin 4'-O-(erythro-β-guaiacylglyceryl) ether and tricin 4'-O-(threo-β-guaiacylglyceryl) ether. The EC(50) values of these compounds in DPPH system were 90.39, 352.04 and 208.1 μg/ml, respectively. Quantification of the compounds by HPLC in NB and staple, non-medicinal rice varieties Sujatha (SJ) and Palakkadan Matta (PM) showed that tricin is present 39.64 and 16.12 fold higher in NB, compared to SJ and PM, respectively. This is the first report on the occurrence of tricin at significantly higher levels in Njavara and occurrence of the two flavonolignans in Oryza sativa species. Of the three compounds, tricin and the threo- form of flavonolignan showed anti-inflammatory effect of >65% after 5 h, at 2 mg/kg, in carrageenan-induced, paw edema experiments in rats. The results of the study corroborate with the preferential use of Njavara in indigenous medicine, over staple varieties.
21294612 Ankylosing spondylitis of the craniovertebral junction: a single surgeon's experience. 2011 Apr OBJECT: The objective of this study was to describe a single surgeon's experience managing craniovertebral junction (CVJ) disease due to ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: The authors undertook a retrospective review of the records of patients with CVJ disease due to ankylosing spondylitis who were evaluated and treated by the senior author. Charts were reviewed for symptoms and signs at presentation, radiography results, treatment, and outcome. In addition, some of the patients had pathology reports available for review. RESULTS: Eight patients with CVJ disease due to ankylosing spondylitis were identified who were evaluated by the senior author in the years 1990-2008. The most common presenting symptoms were neck pain (37.5%), cranial neuropathy (37.5%), and sensory disturbance (62.5%). On examination, the most common findings were limited cervical range of motion (37.5%), weakness (50%), and myelopathy (75%). Radiographic evaluation revealed atlantoaxial subluxation, retroodontoid pannus formation, basilar invagination, and bone erosion. Surgery was offered to all of the patients, 7 of whom underwent operations. In most cases, the treatment was transoral-transpalatopharyngeal decompression followed by occipitocervical fusion. One patient with a reducible lesion underwent dorsal fusion alone. Neurological outcomes were favorable overall. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CVJ disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis varies among reports. These cases are rare in most neurosurgery clinics. It is important to recognize that patients with ankylosing spondylitis are at risk for CVJ disease, similar to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Principles common to the management of other CVJ pathologies apply to these patients as well.
21279808 Role of Th17 cells and IL-17 in lung transplant rejection. 2011 Mar In the past decade, advances in immunology have led to the recognition that T cell differentiation is not simply Th1 or Th2 but involves differentiation to other subsets, such as T regulatory cells, T follicular helper cells, and Th17 cells. Th17 cells, characterized by production of IL-17, IL-22, and IL-21, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but also play an important role in host defense and mucosal immunity. IL-17, with its pleiotropic effects on stromal cells, as well as hematopoietic cells, has long been recognized as a possible mediator of rejection after lung transplantation. Recent data have implicated IL-17 and Th17 cells in the development of autoimmunity and chronic rejection after lung transplantation in both animal models and humans. In this review, we will discuss the current data on Th17 and the prospects for the future for lung transplantation.
21193642 Interstitial lung diseases after leflunomide use in nephropathy: an analysis of reported c 2011 Apr BACKGROUND: Leflunomide (LEF)-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In China, LEF is used off-label for the treatment of nephropathy. METHODS: Systemic review of the Chinese literature from 1999 to June 2010 for case reports and case series of LEF-induced ILD in nephropathy patients. RESULTS: We identified seven cases of LEF-induced ILD (three males and four females), with an average age of 45.9 years (range: 9-69 years). Six cases had primary nephrotic syndrome and one had Henoch-Schoenlein purpura. Four cases had diagnoses of renal pathology. Five patients were given loading doses of LEF, followed by a maintenance dose of 10-30 mg/day. The mean duration of LEF use was 62.9 ± 33.0 days (range: 20-120 days). The mean accumulated dose of LEF was 1192.5 mg (range: 830-1800 mg). LEF therapy was considered effective in four patients. Four patients died (57.1%), three of whom had developed fevers. All three male patients died and both of the young patients died. The mean duration of LEF treatment was 83 days for patients who died and 37 days for survivors. CONCLUSIONS: LEF-induced ILD in patients with nephropathy usually occurred after ∼2 months of treatment and an accumulated dose of 1192.5 mg. Duration of LEF use, male sex, young age and fever seemed to increase the risk of mortality.
23253933 MicroRNA-146a in autoimmunity and innate immune responses. 2013 Apr MicroRNA (miRNA) are approximately 22 nucleotide single-stranded RNA that regulate the stability of target messenger RNA by selective binding to specific sites at the 3'-untranslated regions (UTR). This triggers repression in translation and mRNA degradation. It has been estimated that approximately 60% of all mRNA are under the control of miRNA. Among the known hundreds of miRNA, some are considered master regulators controlling either a single or multiple cellular pathways. Some miRNA are known to affect development and cell differentiation, while others are implicated in immunity and autoimmune diseases. A very interesting example is miR-146a, which has been reported to be downregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus and upregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several groups have recently focused their attention on miRNA in the pathogenesis of RA. Interestingly, the expression of miR-146a is upregulated in different cell types and tissues in RA patients. miRNA in RA could also be considered as possible future targets for new therapeutic approaches. This discussion will focus on the current understanding in the function of miR-146a in endotoxin tolerance and cross-tolerance, and how it may contribute to modulate the overproduction of known pathogenic cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor α.
23247448 [Open arthrolysis for elbow stiffness: a report of 17 cases]. 2012 Dec 18 OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment effect of open arthrolysis for elbow stiffness. METHODS: From Aug. 2007 to Apr. 2012, 17 cases of elbow stiffness were treated with open arthrolysis,in which, 11 were post-traumatic stiffness and 6 elbow stiffness resulted from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The preoperative Mayo elbow score was 65.1±16.4. Posterior middle approach was applied for 15 cases, and primary lateral approach for 2 cases. The ulnar nerve release and antedisplacement were performed for 12 cases with series limited flexion. The mobile hinged fixator were applied for 2 cases of unstable elbow after debridement of series hero ossification. RESULTS: With follow-up time for 6 to 41 months (average 13.1 months), all the patients acquired the follow-up and evaluation. According to Mayo elbow score of the last follow-up, the score was 87.5±16.7, and compared with the preoperation, the difference was significant: 9 cases were excellent, 6 good, 1 fair, and 1 poor, and the total excellent and good rate was 88.23%. The active range of motion (ROM) of flexion-extension was 110.6°±27.5°. However, 1 case developed chronic infection, and 1 ulnar nerve symptom. CONCLUSION: In applying open arthrolysis to treat elbow stiffness, as long as we release completely and assure stable elbow and early postoperative motion, we can get satisfying results.
23234453 Effects of vitamin D on immune disorders with special regard to asthma, COPD and autoimmun 2012 Dec This paper reviews the recent data on the role of vitamin D (VD) in the genesis of various immunological disorders. It inhibits immune reactions in general, but it enhances the transcription of 'endogenous antibiotics' such as cathelicidin and defensins. VD inhibits the genesis of both Th1- and Th2-cell mediated diseases. The pleiotropic character VD-induced effects are due to the altered transcription of hundreds of genes. VD supplementation in most related studies reduced the prevalence of asthma. Th1-dependent autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and so on) are also inhibited by VD due to inhibition of antigen presentation, reduced polarization of Th0 cells to Th1 cells and reduced production of cytokines from the latter cells. VD seems to also be a useful adjunct in the prevention of allograft rejection. Last but not least, VD supplementation may be useful in the prevention or adjunct treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
23229798 Pain and function in eight hundred and fifty nine patients comparing shoulder hemiprosthes 2013 Jan PURPOSE: Functional results of reversed total prostheses (RTP) have-to a very limited degree-been compared with those of other shoulder prosthesis types. The aim of our study was to compare results of four different types of shoulder prostheses in terms of function, pain, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by 859 patients with shoulder prostheses registered in the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register. Patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or fracture sequela (FS) were included. Symptoms and function were assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS, scale 0-48), and the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) was used to assess QoL. RESULTS: Best functional results were obtained using conventional total prostheses (TPs) and RTPs -mean OSS improvement 18 and 16 units, respectively, vs 11 with hemiprostheses (HPs). For patients with OA, TPs performed best; for those with RA and FS, RTPs performed best; and those with HPs had the worst results in all diagnostic groups. The greatest improvement in QoL was seen in patients with TPs and RTPs. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional TPs provide the best improvement in pain, function and QoL in OA patients; RTPs are superior in patients with RA and FS.
22965378 Cardiovascular risk biomarkers in CKD: the inflammation link and the road less traveled. 2012 Dec End-stage renal disease patients suffer a syndrome of accelerated aging characterized by a 10- to 100-fold increase in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality when compared to age-matched controls. No specific therapeutic interventions have been shown to improve this dismal outcome. Inflammation, chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and other biomarkers predict outcome in observational studies. However, we lack clinical trials that address the role of these biomarkers in risk stratification and therapeutic decision making. Biomarkers may also provide insights into the pathophysiology of disease and identify novel therapeutic targets. Inflammation emerges as a prime potential target for intervention. Thus, CKD-MBD biomarkers, asymmetrical dimethyl arginine and tri-iodothyronine have a link to inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the inflammation biomarkers with highest predictive value for outcome in ESRD. Biologicals targeting IL-6 are approved for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, trials are underway to test IL-6 targeting potential to decrease cardiovascular injury in non-CKD patients. In this regard, targeting IL-1 was recently shown to decrease systemic inflammation in hemodialysis patients. The success of these trials will likely influence future studies on biomarker targeting in CKD.
22882216 Rituximab: emerging treatment strategies of immune-mediated glomerular disease. 2012 Jul The use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of malignancy and autoimmune diseases has rapidly expanded in the last decade. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody to the CD20 antigen on B cells, was first approved by the US FDA in 1997 to treat non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. It is now used, however, for a variety of diseases in both on- and off-label uses. It was approved by the FDA for use in refractory rheumatoid arthritis in 2007, and in April 2011 it was approved for the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides (including granulomatosis with polyangiitis [Wegener's granulomatosis] and microscopic polyangiitis), based on the promising results of the RAVE trial. Within the field of nephrology, in addition to its use in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides, it is has been used in the treatment of membranous nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis.
22747954 Investigation of Telomerase/Telomeres system in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived 2012 Jul 2 OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis associated usual interstitial pneumonia seem to have the same poor outcome as there is not an effective treatment. The aim of the study is to explore the reparative ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by evaluating the system telomerase/telomeres and propose a novel therapeutic approach. METHODS: BM-MSCs were studied in 6 IPF patients, 7 patients with RA-UIP and 6 healthy controls. We evaluated the telomere length as well as the mRNA expression of both components of telomerase (human telomerase reverse transcriptase, h-TERT and RNA template complementary to the telomeric loss DNA, h-TERC). RESULTS: We found that BM-MSCs from IPF, RA-UIP cases do not present smaller telomere length than the controls (p = 0.170). There was no significant difference regarding the expression of both h-TERT and h-TERC genes between patients and healthy controls (p = 0.107 and p = 0.634 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated same telomere length and telomerase expression in BM-MSCs of both IPF and RA-UIP which could explain similarities in pathogenesis and prognosis. Maintenance of telomere length in these cells could have future implication in cell replacement treatment with stem cells of these devastating lung disorders.