Search for: rheumatoid arthritis    methotrexate    autoimmune disease    biomarker    gene expression    GWAS    HLA genes    non-HLA genes   

ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
29330758 [Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma]. 2017 Oct In rheumatological practice monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a common incidental finding. Several rheumatic inflammatory diseases are known to have an elevated risk of MGUS, which can evolve into multiple myeloma or other lymphatic malignancies. The relevant definitions of disease entities are described, as well as algorithms for further diagnostic work-up and follow-up for monoclonal gammopathy, depending on the risk of progression. Therapeutic strategies against multiple myeloma are presented. Some of these therapeutic modalities could play a future role in treating plasma cell-dominated autoimmune diseases.
29048278 Mycobacterium lepromatosis Lepromatous Leprosy in US Citizen Who Traveled to Disease-Endem 2017 Nov We report Mycobacterium lepromatosis infection in a US-born person with an extensive international travel history. Clinical symptoms, histopathology, and management are similar to those of infections caused by M. leprae. Clinicians should consider this pathogen in the diagnosis of patients with symptoms of leprosy who have traveled to endemic areas.
28607767 Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint replacements with pyrolytic carbon implants in the ha 2017 Jan Until the late 1980s, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint reconstruction had been almost exclusively performed by the use of monobloc silicone spacers and associated with acceptable to good clinical outcomes.More recently, new materials such as metal-on-polyethylene and pyrocarbon implants were proposed, associated with good short-term and mid-term results.Pyrocarbon is a biologically inert and biocompatible material with a low tendency to wear. PIP pyrolytic implants are characterised by a graphite core, visible on radiographs and covered by a radiolucent outer layer of pyrocarbon.New surgical techniques and better patient selection with tailored rehabilitative protocols, associated with the knowledge arising from the long-term experience with pyrocarbon implants, has demonstrated noteworthy clinical outcomes over the years, as demonstrated by recent studies. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:21-27. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160041.
28475518 Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis/Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis 2017 Sep Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis are uncommon granulomatous dermatoses that often arise in association with rheumatoid arthritis. These 2 entities have overlapping features and may exist on a spectrum. We report an intriguing case of a 53-year-old man with advanced rheumatoid arthritis who presented with a large indurated painful truncal plaque with a palpable cord in addition to a papulonodular eruption on his dorsal hands. Furthermore, our patient had a recurrence in a near-identical mirror-image pattern on the contralateral trunk. The constellation of clinical and histopathological findings in our patient further suggests that palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis exist as overlapping disease entities on a continuum. In addition, we propose that recurrence of skin findings may be indicative of the severity of the underlying systemic disease process.
27785924 Interleukin-33 as a marker of disease activity in rheumatoid factor positive polyarticular 2017 Jul OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical usefulness of serum interleukin (IL)-33 levels as an indicator of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: We measured serum levels of IL-33 in 39 patients with JIA, including 7 patients with rheumatoid factor positive poly-JIA (RF + poly-JIA), 8 patients with RF negative poly-JIA (RF-poly-JIA), 20 patients with oligoarticular JIA (Oligo-JIA), 4 patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Furthermore, we determined their correlation with measures of disease activity. RESULTS: Serum IL-33 levels in patients with RF + poly-JIA were significantly elevated compared to those in patients with RF-poly-JIA, oligo-JIA and HC. Serum IL-33 levels in patients with RF-poly-JIA, oligo-JIA and ERA were not elevated compared to those in HC. Serum IL-33 levels in RF + poly-JIA patients normalized in remission phase. Serum IL-33 levels correlated positively with RF in patients with RF + poly-JIA. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that serum IL-33 levels in RF + poly-JIA patients correlated with disease activity, suggesting a potential role of IL-33 as a promising indicator of disease activity.
28791012 Extracellular Vesicles Transfer the Receptor Programmed Death-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 2017 INTRODUCTION: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as route of communication in the microenvironment. They transfer proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) between cells, and possess immunoregulatory properties. However, their role in immune-mediated diseases remains to be elucidated. We hypothesized a role for EVs in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint, potentially involving the development of T cell exhaustion and transfer of the co-inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). METHODS: Synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients were investigated for PD-1 and other markers of T cell inhibition. EVs were isolated from RA plasma and synovial fluid. In addition, healthy control (HC) and RA PBMCs and SFMCs were cultured to produce EVs. These were isolated and investigated by immunogold electron microscopy (EM) and also co-cultured with lymphocytes and PD-1 negative cells to investigate their functions. Finally, the miRNA expression profiles were assessed in EVs isolated from RA and HC cell cultures. RESULTS: Cells from the RA joint expressed several T cell co-inhibitory receptors, including PD-1, TIM-3, and Tigit. ELISA demonstrated the presence of PD-1 in EVs from RA plasma and synovial fluid. Immunogold EM visualized PD-1 expression by EVs. Co-culturing lymphocytes and the PD-1 negative cell line, U937 with EVs resulted in an induction of PD-1 on these cells. Moreover, EVs from RA PBMCs increased proliferation in lymphocytes when co-cultured with these. All EVs contained miRNAs associated with PD-1 and other markers of T cell inhibition and the content was significantly lower in EVs from RA PBMCs than HC PBMCs. Stimulation of the cells increased the miRNA expression. However, EVs isolated from stimulated RA SFMCs did not change their miRNA expression profile to the same extend. CONCLUSION: EVs carrying both the PD-1 receptor and miRNAs associated with T cell inhibition were present in RA cell cultures. Upon stimulation, these miRNAs failed to be upregulated in EVs from RA SFMCs. This was in line with increased expression of T cell co-inhibitory markers on SFMCs. In conclusion, we suggest EVs to play a significant role in the RA microenvironment, potentially favoring the progression of T cell exhaustion.
28672953 Anti-rheumatic effects of Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. on human fibroblast-like synoviocy 2017 Jul The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Aconitum leucostomum Worosch. crude drug, processed products and monomer components on human fibroblast-like synoviocyte rheumatoid arthritis (HFLS-RA) cells, and its associated mechanisms. Following drug treatment, cell proliferation was assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cellular apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated using flow cytometry. Levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and protein were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using ELISA. Analysis of cell proliferation indicated that crude drug and processed products markedly inhibited the cell proliferation. Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rates were significantly elevated in all treatment groups (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase was significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control group (all P<0.05). RT-qPCR and western blotting indicated that, compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, and TLR4 were significantly downregulated in all treatment groups (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF in all treatment groups were decreased compared with those in the control group, but the difference was not significant. Results from ELISA demonstrated that the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cell culture supernatant were all significantly decreased following drug treatment in HFLS-RA cells (all P<0.05). Therefore, A. leucostomum Worosch. crude drug, processed products and monomer components may exert anti-rheumatic effects on HFLS-RA cells, inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing cellular apoptosis. These effects may be attributable to the downregulated expression of HIF-1α and TLR4, as well as decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
29236221 DPP-4 Inhibitor-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Diabetics: A Nested Case-Control Study. 2018 Feb INTRODUCTION: The risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) use is unclear. This study assesses the RA risk associated with DPP-4i use among a diabetic cohort initiating second-line therapy. METHODS: This was a nested case-control study, using the adult diabetic population starting second-line antidiabetic therapy from IMS LifeLink Plus(®) database (2006-2015). Cases were those with two or more RA diagnosis, at least one prescription, and 180 days enrollment prior to the event date (earliest of the two: first RA diagnosis, first RA prescription). Controls were drawn from the nest after matching (1:15) with cases on index date (± 90 days), age (± 5 years), sex, and event date (imputed to have the same time difference between cohort entry and event date as the matched case). Exposure and covariate information was gathered from the 180-day period prior to event date. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess exposure among cases and controls. Adjusted analysis was carried out after controlling for important medications and comorbidities. RESULTS: The final sample consists of 790 cases and 11,850 controls; of these, 151 cases (19.11%) and 2177 controls (18.37%) had DPP-4i claims during the exposure assessment period. DPP-4i therapy was not significantly associated with the development of RA after adjusting for covariates (OR = 1.156, 95% CI 0.936-1.429). Changing the exposure definition or exposure window to 1 year and subgroup analyses yielded similar results except for the non-insulin-using subgroup (OR = 1.299, 95% CI 1.001-1.985) which showed a significant positive association. CONCLUSION: DPP-4i were not significantly associated with the risk of RA compared with other second-line antidiabetic therapies.
27593261 In vivo antiarthritic activity of the ethanol extracts of stem bark and seeds of Calophyll 2017 Dec CONTEXT: Calophyllum inophyllum Linn. (Clusiaceae) (CI) is traditionally used to treat pain, inflammation, eye disorders and rheumatism. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the antiarthritic activity of the ethanol extract of the stem bark (ESBCI) and seeds (ESCI) of Calophyllum inophyllum in Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic Wistar albino rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ESBCI and ESCI were screened for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by proteinase inhibition and membrane stabilization assays. Acute oral toxicity studies were conducted according to OECD-425 guidelines. Antiarthritic activity of ESBCI and ESCI at the dose of 250 mg/kg/p.o. was evaluated by Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rat model. RESULTS: ESBCI and ESCI have shown maximum inhibition at 250 μg/mL in proteinase inhibition and haemolysis assays. The LD(50) of ESBCI and ESCI was found to be greater than 5000 and 2000 mg/kg/p.o., respectively. In Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rat model ESBCI, ESCI and Diclofenac treatment have shown 28.57, 36.36, and 43.51% as maximum reduction in rat paw oedema volume respectively when compared with the arthritic control rats. ESBCI and ESCI treatment at the dose level of 250 mg/kg/p.o. normalized the altered haematological and biochemical parameters of arthritic control rats. Histological and radiological evaluation confirmed the antiarthritic effect of ESBCI and ESCI. DISCUSSION: ESBCI and ESCI were found to show significant antiarthritic activity evidenced with clinical, biochemical, histological and radiological evaluations. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates the antiarthritic activity of ESBCI and ESCI, however its mechanism of action has to be studied in the future.
27756498 High mobility group box protein 1-A prognostic marker for structural joint damage in 10-ye 2017 Feb OBJECTIVE: High mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is an important pro-inflammatory mediator in adult rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnostic utility of HMGB1 in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is still unclear. The aim was to examine whether serum HMGB1 levels are associated with inflammation, radiological disease progression, and long-term prognosis in JIA. METHODS: We included 131 children with JIA from a population-based prevalence study; 38 of them were prospectively followed up for 10 years. Clinical and laboratory disease characteristics at study entry and after 10 years as well as radiological progression over 10 years were recorded. HMGB1 levels were analyzed by an ELISA. RESULTS: The HMGB1 levels were similar in children with different JIA subgroups and in children with established (53%) or newly diagnosed (47%) disease. HMGB1 levels did not differ between groups at entry into the study or at 10 years, by sex, or by the presence or absence of RF or ANA antibodies. HMGB1 levels at the study entry correlated with HMGB1 levels at 10 years and with blood neutrophil count. Most importantly, children with destructive arthritis at 10 years had a tendency toward higher HMGB1 levels at study entry (median 1.2 vs 0.6ng/ml, ns) and displayed 4-fold higher circulating HMGB1 levels (median 3.4 vs 0.8ng/ml, p = 0.0014) than children without radiological destructions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HMGB1 is a marker of inflammatory activity in children with JIA. Higher serum HMGB1 levels are related to more destructive JIA and could be used as a negative prognostic marker at the disease start. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01905319. Registered July 16, 2013.
29017854 PEGylated TRAIL ameliorates experimental inflammatory arthritis by regulation of Th17 cell 2017 Dec 10 TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a death ligand that can induce apoptosis in cells expressing its cognate death receptors (DRs). Previously, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential of recombinant human TRAIL in experimental rheumatoid arthritis (RA) models. However, the mechanisms of how DR-mediated apoptosis elicits these actions is not known. Here, we show that systemically administering a potent, long-acting PEGylated TRAIL (TRAIL(PEG)) is profoundly anti-rheumatic against two complementary experimental RA mouse models, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA), via targeting IL-17 secreting Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg). Systemic administration of TRAIL(PEG) after disease onset ameliorated the severity of inflammatory arthritis including arthritis indices, paw thickness, cartilage damage and neutrophil infiltration in both CIA and CAIA models. Additionally, the levels of inflammatory molecules (p-p65, ICAM-1, Cox-2, MMP3, and iNOS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17) and accumulation of activated macrophages were significantly reduced after the TRAIL(PEG) treatment. Importantly, TRAIL(PEG) decreased the number of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells in inflamed arthritic joints through TRAIL-induced apoptosis while increasing anti-inflammatory Treg population in vivo. These results suggest that TRAIL(PEG) ameliorates autoimmunity by targeting the Th 17-Tregs axis, making it a promising candidate drug for the treatment of RA.
30632530 Sorafenib Reveals Anti-Arthritic Potentials in Collagen Induced Experimental Arthritis Mod 2018 Sep OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the effects of sorafenib on a collagen-induced arthritis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 randomly selected female Wistar-albino rats (8-10-week-old, weighing between 200 g to 250 g). The rats were divided into five equal groups as control, arthritis, etanercept, sorafenib high-dose, and sorafenib low-dose groups, respectively. Arthritis was induced by injecting mixed intradermal chicken type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Twenty-four hours after the advent of arthritis; rats in group 3 were injected subcutaneous etanercept (6 mg/kg/week), while those in groups 4 and 5 were given sorafenib (10 or 30 mg/ kg/day) orally until they were sacrificed on the 34th day. The rat claws and trunk bloods were carefully examined to note perisynovial inflammation and cartilage/bone injury through histopathology. Tissue vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor levels were carefully checked using western blot analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the experimental data showed that collagen-induced arthritis decreased in treatments groups after 12-13 days and 34th day in contrast with the arthritis group. Histopathological examination revealed broad perisynovial inflammation and cartilage/bone break down in the arthritis group. Compared to the control group, tissue VEGF and VEGF receptor levels increased in the arthritis group. Sorafenib and etanercept decreased tissue VEGF and VEGF receptor levels, perisynovial inflammation, damage of cartilage/bone. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that sorafenib treatment ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis with anti-VEGF effectiveness.
28546775 Psychological well-being among US adults with arthritis and the unmet need for mental heal 2017 PURPOSE: Mental health conditions can increase the risk of disability among adults with arthritis. The objective of this analysis was to compare the prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD), depression, and anxiety among US adults with arthritis vs. those without; characterize adults with arthritis with and without SPD; and determine correlates of seeing a mental health professional during the year for adults with arthritis and SPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of adults in the 2011-2013 National Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: Higher proportions of adults with arthritis had SPD (6.8% vs. 2.4%), depression (19.4% vs. 7.3%), and anxiety (29.3% vs. 16.3%) compared to those without. Of the estimated 3.5 million adults with arthritis and SPD, only 39% saw a mental health professional during the year. Adjusted analyses identified the following statistically significant relationships: those who were older (45-64 and ≥65 [vs.18-44], prevalence ratio [PR]=0.8 and 0.4, respectively), less educated (PR=0.5 and 0.7 for high school or less vs. college degree, respectively), and without health insurance coverage (vs. any private, PR=0.7), were less likely to see a mental health professional, whereas the disabled or unemployed (vs. employed, PR=1.6 and 1.5, respectively), and those unable to afford mental health care throughout the year (PR=1.3) were more likely. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of SPD, anxiety, and depression in adults with arthritis suggests the need for increased mental health screening, with subsequent referral to mental health professionals or other treatment programs, in that population.
28612120 Anti-allodynic action of the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug iguratimod in a rat mod 2017 Oct OBJECTIVE: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience nociceptive as well as neuropathic pain. The effect of iguratimod (IGU), a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) was examined in this study. METHODS: CCI was induced by making four ligations on the left sciatic nerve. Rats with stable signs of static allodynia were selected 2 weeks after the surgery and drug treatments were started (day 0). The test drugs were orally administered once daily for 15 days. The threshold of mechanical pain response in the hind paw was evaluated by the von Frey hair test in a blinded manner. To observe histological changes in the spinal cord, the L4 region was subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for the detection of microglial cells. RESULTS: IGU showed an anti-allodynic effect on CCI-induced neuropathic pain at days 6 and 14, but not at 90 min after the first administration of IGU. This effect of IGU was observed until day 21. Furthermore, IGU decreased the number of Iba-1-positive cells, which had been increased at the ipsilateral side of the dorsal horn by CCI. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IGU suppresses neuropathic pain via a different mechanism from that of current therapeutics.
28560621 Lymphocytes as Biomarkers of Therapeutic Response in Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases, Is It 2017 Oct Many therapies are available for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) while biological therapies have limited effects in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). In both cases, biomarkers predicting drug response would be very useful to guide clinicians in their choice. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the value of lymphocyte phenotyping as a marker of therapeutic response. Of the 1063 articles retrieved, 39 fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in the present review (25 for RA, 10 for SLE, and 4 for pSS). Lymphocyte phenotyping was described as a biomarker of therapeutic response in many studies, but most results could not be confirmed by independent teams using multivariate analysis. The most consistent result might be the association between rituximab response and the levels of memory B cells before therapy, although some studies were controversial. Thus, lymphocyte phenotyping cannot yet be proposed as a biomarker of response in rheumatic autoimmune diseases. The lack of reproducibility between studies may be explained by technical issues influencing lymphocyte phenotyping so standardization procedures should be developed for future studies. The patients' characteristics vary between studies, and large population studies, including a wide range of patients' characteristics and biomarkers, are required to provide predictive models for clinical outcomes. The use of new flow cytometry techniques such as single-cell mass cytometry technology might also help finder reliable biomarkers in the future.
28377787 Tofacitinib versus Biologic Treatments in Moderate-to-Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients 2017 Objective. To compare the efficacy and tolerability of tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as monotherapy and combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) versus biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) and other novel DMARDs for second-line moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by means of a systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods. MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between 1990 and March 2015. Efficacy data based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria, improvements in the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) at 6 months, and discontinuation rates due to adverse events were analyzed by means of Bayesian NMAs. Results. 45 RCTs were identified, the majority of which demonstrated a low risk of bias. Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (BID) and 10 mg BID monotherapy exhibited comparable efficacy and discontinuation rates due to adverse events versus other monotherapies. Tofacitinib 5 mg BID and 10 mg BID + DMARDs or methotrexate (MTX) were mostly comparable to other combination therapies in terms of efficacy and discontinuation due to adverse events. Conclusion. In most cases, tofacitinib had similar efficacy and discontinuation rates due to adverse events compared to biologic DMARDs.
28479483 Coffee and autoimmunity: More than a mere hot beverage! 2017 Jul Coffee is one of the world's most consumed beverage. In the last decades, coffee consumption has attracted a huge body of research due to its impact on health. Recent scientific evidences showed that coffee intake could be associated with decreased mortality from cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes type II, as well as from endometrial and liver cancer, among others. In this review, on the basis of available data in the literature, we aimed to investigate the association between coffee intake and its influence on the immune system and the insurgence of the most relevant autoimmune diseases. While some studies reported conflicting results, general trends have been identified. Coffee consumption seems to increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). By contrast, coffee consumption may exert a protective role against multiple sclerosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and ulcerative colitis. Concerning other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, primary biliary cholangitis and Crohn's disease, no significant association was found. In other studies, coffee consumption was shown to influence disease course and management options. Coffee intake led to a decrease in insulin sensitivity in T1DM, in methotrexate efficacy in RA, and in levothyroxine absorption in Hashimoto's disease. Further, coffee consumption was associated with cross reactivity with gliadin antibodies in celiac patients. Data on certain autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and Behçet's disease, among others, are lacking in the existent literature. As such, further research is warranted.
28950389 Design and Evaluation of Chronomodulated Drug Delivery of Tramadol Hydrochloride. 2018 Mar Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease which requires chronotherapy as it occurs during early morning. Tramadol hydrochloride (TH) is an analgesic drug, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the present investigation was to develop chronomodulated drug delivery system of tramadol hydrochloride such that it releases the drug early in the morning, during which the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis worsen. To develop chronomodulated drug delivery system of TH, initially core tablets of TH were prepared using three different supradisintegrants followed by coating with pH dependent polymer of Eudragit S100. The prepared core tablets are evaluated for physical parameters and an optimal system was identified. Further, coating composition of Eudragit S100 was optimized and coating tablets of TH was prepared. The prepared coated tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, drug content and in vitro release studies in 0.1N HCl, pH 6.8 phosphate buffer and pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. Formulation with 7.5% of coating solution (ES2) had shown a significant drug release after a lag time of 3 h (in pH 6.8 medium), 6 h (in pH 6.8 medium) and 8 h (in pH 7.4 medium), respectively. DSC studies revealed that no interaction between core and coated materials with drug was observed. Thus, chronomodulated drug delivery system of TH was formulated and assuming that if a tablet is administered around 9 pm to 10 pm, the drug release starts after a lag time of 6 h i. e., around 3am to 4 am.
27890168 Incidence and Prevention of Herpes Zoster Reactivation in Patients with Autoimmune Disease 2017 Feb Herpes zoster is the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus usually occurring decades after initial exposure, and manifesting as a painful vesicular rash occurring along one or more dermatomes. Zoster incidence increases with age as cell mediated immunity against latent virus wanes. Epidemiological evidence suggests that individuals with underlying rheumatic diseases are at increased risk for zoster. It remains unclear whether this is due to immunosuppressive medications or from immune dysregulation of the underlying disease. A vaccine against zoster is available for individuals 50 years and older. Theoretical risks remain about using this live-attenuated virus vaccine in immunosuppressed individuals.
28302414 Effect of panchakarma and Ayurvedic treatment in postpartum rheumatoid arthritis (amavata) 2017 Jan Dream of a mother is to get involved actively in upbringing of child, which is impeded if she is suffering from painful condition like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in postpartum phase. It causes physical incapacity and psychological trauma as well. Present case is a patient who developed RA one month after full term delivery by caesarean section. In view of symptoms, she was diagnosed as case of amavata. She received Ayurvedic treatment - Simhanada guggulu, Pratapalankeshwara rasa, Dashamoola katutraya kashaya and combination of Swarnabhupati rasa, Tapyadi loha, Mahavatavidhvansa, Chopachini (Smilax china), Shunthi (Zinziber officinale) and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) for four months and course of kala basti (medicated enema) along with application of medicated oil (Vishagharbha taila abhyanga) and sudation (bashpa sweda) for ten days. Complete remission was seen after treatment for four months. The patient was free from oral analgesics. RA test titer that was 160 international units per milliliter (IU/ml) before treatment showed marked reduction (28.12 IU/ml) after 75 days of treatment and later dropped in normal range (6.1 IU/ml). Normal milestones were seen in the child receiving breast feeding. Application of Ayurvedic principles showed excellent results in this case where modern medical management options were limited due to lactation.