BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of spine and sacroiliac joints; it is characterized by new bone formation, and the disease processes can be accompanied by osteoporosis. In the present study, we investigated changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and in the levels of various bone turnover-related biomarkers and cytokines in a cohort of AS patients, with regard to clinical parameters, disease activity, and treatment regimen.Methods55 AS patients and 33 healthy controls included in the study. Spinal mobility was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and radiologic changes were scored by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiologic Index (BASRI). Patients were also evaluated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Various biomarkers and cytokines of bone turnover including osteoprotegerin (OPG), serum band 5 tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP-5), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (sRANKL), secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP-1), Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1), and sclerostin were studied.ResultsThe levels of TRAP-5, NTX, sRANKL, sclerostin, sFRP-1, DKK-1, and IFNγ, were similar between the patients and controls (p > 0.05), while BMD of femoral neck, and OPG levels were significantly lower in AS patients (p < 0.05). In a subgroup analysis, patients with active disease had significantly higher concentrations of OPG compared with the inactive group. Rest of the biomarkers and cytokines of bone turnover were similar between the active and inactive disease groups. Subgroup analysis of patients receiving anti-TNFα agents and conventional therapy revealed that OPG concentrations were significantly lower in the patients receiving biological drugs, while BAP and DKK-1 were significantly higher in the patients treated with conventional agents.ConclusionsIn this cross-sectional study we showed that OPG levels were significantly lower in AS patients compared to healthy subjects. On the other hand, the levels of wingless (Wnt) signal pathway inhibitors seem not altered. Ectopic bone formation in AS may be related to dysfunction of these molecules at the cellular level.

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We show for the first time that CRbeta is over-expressed in SR RA patients and that hydrocortisone fails to inhibit concanavalin-A stimulated increase in CRbeta mRNA in SR RA patients. This mechanism may contribute in part to the CS hyporesponsiveness seen in some RA patients.

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac joints of unknown etiology.Recent studies have reported increased oxidative stress, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, in AS. The purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative stress and related factors in AS.Material and Methods: Eighty-five patients with years; 65 male/20 female] and 56 healthy subjects [36 (21-63) years; 39 male/17 female] with no known cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled. Serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total anti-oxidant status (TAS) were studied. The Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), and Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI) were calculated. A logistic regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors for TOS.Results: No differences were observed in terms of demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, or TAS concentrations between the patient and control groups. However, the serum TOS levels were significantly higher in the AS group than in the controls (p=0.003). The comparison of cases of active (BASDAI ≥4) and inactive AS revealed significantly higher TOS levels in the active disease group. The TOS and TAS concentrations did not differ between patients treated with biological agents and those treated with conventional agents. Correlation analysis yielded significant correlations between TOS and TAS, BASMI, BASFI, BASDAI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p<0.05; r values ranged from 0.291 to 0.452) and a positive correlation between TAS and BASMI (p<0.05; r=0.344). Based on regression analysis, BASDAI, BASMI, and hs-CRP independently predicted the TOS levels [p<0.05, R²: 0.262, and standard error of the estimate (SEE): 10.96] Conclusion: Oxidative stress levels were higher in patients with AS than in healthy subjects. Patients with active disease status had significantly higher oxidative stress than patients with inactive disease status and healthy controls. Treatment status has no effect on TOS, and BASMI, BASDAI, and hs-CRP are independent variables associated with TOS. The TAS levels were found to be associated with only BASMI.

To evaluate the T helper 17 (Th17) axis and its relation to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha blockage and disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study included 127 AS patients (100M/27F) and 38 (27M/11F) controls. Spinal mobility was assessed by the bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI). Patients were also evaluated with the bath ankylosing spondylitis functional (BASFI) and bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index. Cytokines including IL-6, IL-12, TGF-β, IL-17A, and IL-23 were measured in serum sample using commercially available ELISA kits. Cytokines including IL-6, IL-12, TGF-β, IL-17, and IL-23 were significantly higher in the AS patients than the controls (P < 0.05). The Th-17-related cytokines were not different between patients treated with anti-TNF and conventional therapies (P > 0.05). Cytokines were also similar between patients with active and inactive disease (P > 0.05). On correlation analysis, IL-17 was correlated with IL-23 and IL-12 (P < 0.05) and IL-23 showed correlations with IL-12 and BASMI (P < 0.05). We found serum levels of Th-17-related cytokines to be significantly increased in the sera of AS patients. Disease activity and treatment type did not affect the level of these cytokines.