Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that is associated with oxidative stress. Serum trace elements and their related transport proteins, e.g., albumin and ceruloplasmin, play an important role in the antioxidant defense. Trace element status may therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of RA or be affected by the disease activity of this chronic inflammatory condition. The study participants were 110 patients with RA and 100 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of albumin, ceruloplasmin, selenium, zinc, copper, and zinc/copper ratio were measured in all subjects. The relationship between these parameters and disease activity score was also assessed. Lower concentrations of serum Alb, Zn, and Se were independently related to disease activity index. High concentrations of serum copper were associated with the presence of RA. Serum Cu concentrations were positively related to disease activity as assessed by the disease activity score. Low serum concentrations of Zn and Se, and high serum Cu concentrations may be associated with the presence of RA or be a consequence of this condition. Of the trace elements that were investigated in the present study, only serum Cu was positively correlated with disease activity.
Background and Aim: Lymphoid cell infiltration and destruction of exocrine glands, specifically lacrimal and salivary glands are characteristics of Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). An etiological role has been proposed for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), interacting in the clinical course and complications of SS (including gastric cancer and lymphoma). The aim of this study was to identify the probable correlation between H. pylori infection and Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Methods: In this case-control study, ELISA method was used to determine serum level of IgA and IgM anti H. pylori antibody in 43 subjects with SS according to the international criteria and 95 healthy subjects as control. SPSS-17 was used to analyze data with t-test. P value <.05 were considered significant. Results: Serum level of IgM (34.9% vs. 10.5%, p-value= 0.001) and IgA (67.4% vs. 46.3% p value= 0.021) anti H. pylori antibody were significantly higher in SS patients compared to the control group. There was a positive correlation between age and H. pylori infection (r=0.2, Pvalue= 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with SS had a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection compared to the normal population. Eradication of H. pylori is recommended particularly in older patients with SS.
(F4, F5 and F6) showed higher water uptake than those containing the lower molecular weight polymer (F1, F2 and F3) (p < 0. 001). The formulations incorporating the lower molecular weight HPMC K4M (F1, F2 and F3) showed higher erosion than those that contained HPMC K15M (F4, F5 and F6) (p < 0.001
Objectives: This study aims to determine the effects of oral glucosamine on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis in Northeastern Iran. Patients and methods:This placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial included 40 non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis (15 males, 25 females, mean age 63.8±7.64 years; range 49 to 80 years). Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and treated with oral glucosamine sulfate 1500 mg a day or placebo for 90 days. Fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance test with 75 grams glucose and serum insulin levels, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance were evaluated initially and at the end of intervention. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of blood sugar, glucose tolerance test, and insulin levels at the beginning and end of the study. In the oral glucosamine group, there were no significant changes in fasting blood sugar (94.1±7.14 mg/dL versus 93.5±9.45 mg/dL, p=0.15), glucose tolerance test (99.3±8.99 mg/dL versus 103.3±10.1 mg/dL, p=0.07), and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (1.57±0.21 versus 1.48±0.21, p=0.13) after treatment. Also, placebo did not significantly affect serum glucose levels and insulin resistance. Conclusion: Oral glucosamine with routine dosage was safe in our non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis and had no significant effect on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.
BackgroundSerum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a non-collagen glycoprotein produced by the cartilage, synovium, tendon, and meniscus. Recent studies showed that COMP is a reliable factor for monitoring cartilage damage.ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between serum COMP concentration and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsThis cross-sectional study lasted from 2013 to 2015 at the Rheumatology Clinic of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. The study population consisted of eligible patients who presented to our clinic during the study period. Four groups (150 subjects) were included as early RA (50 patients), late RA (50 patients), grades II and III OA (osteoarthritis) (25 cases, 17 grade II and 8 grade III joint destruction), and healthy controls (25 individuals). These were included consecutively. Serum COMP level was assessed by sandwich ELISA technique. In addition, ESR, hs-CRP, serum RF, and anti-CCP were assayed. X-rays of the knees (in OA) and hands (in RA) were examined for the degree of joint damage/erosion using the Short Erosion Scale (SES) in RA and Kellgren-Lawrence grading in OA. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare mean COMP level among the groups and ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis to determine the diagnostic accuracy of COMP in diagnosis of late RA were used by SPSS software (ver. 20.0).ResultsMean (±SD) serum COMP levels were 18 (±10.6) U/L in early RA, 19.3 (±9.6) U/L in late RA, 10.9 (±4.5) U/L in OA, and 4.2 (±3.8) in controls; p<0.001. Serum COMP level was higher in RA and OA groups when compared to control group. Mean (±SD) SES score was 13.5 (±7.5) in early RA and 16.4 (±9.7) in late RA (p=0.093). There was a significant positive correlation between COMP level and disease severity in early RA (r=0.677, p<0.001) as well as in late RA (r=0.753, p<0.001). Serum COMP level at a concentration of 15.25 U/L had a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 70% to discriminate late RA from early RA (area under curve= 69% (95% CI: 58% to 79%; p=0.001).ConclusionCOMP had positive significant correlation with early and late RA severity. This serum biomarker can be a useful and easy tool for monitoring of RA patients either at early or late stages of the disease.
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