Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Expression of interleukin-22 in rheumatoid arthritis: potential role as a proinflammatory cytokine.
Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a novel cytokine of the IL-10 family. Although its pathophysiologic function is largely unknown, induction of acute-phase responses by IL-22 has suggested proinflammatory properties. In this study, we sought to examine whether IL-22 plays a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ These data suggest that IL-22, produced by synovial fibroblasts and macrophages, promotes inflammatory responses in RA synovial tissues by inducing the proliferation and chemokine production of synovial fibroblasts.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Fibroblast expression of the coactivator p300 governs the intensity of profibrotic response to transforming growth factor beta.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) induces profibrotic responses in normal fibroblasts, and plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis [SSc]). The intensity of cellular responses elicited by cytokines is modulated by transcriptional coactivators such as the histone acetylase p300. The objective of these studies was to delineate the physiologic role of p300 in Smad-dependent profibrotic responses elicited by TGFbeta. ⋯ These results establish, for the first time, that the coactivator histone acetylase p300, itself a target of TGFbeta regulation, is an essential component of the cellular TGFbeta signal transduction pathways mediating stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. Since the cellular abundance of p300 appears to govern the intensity of profibrotic responses elicited by TGFbeta, elevated p300 expression in lesional tissue may contribute to the progression of skin fibrosis in scleroderma.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialSustained benefits of infliximab therapy for dermatologic and articular manifestations of psoriatic arthritis: results from the infliximab multinational psoriatic arthritis controlled trial (IMPACT).
To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of infliximab therapy for the articular and dermatologic manifestations of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). ⋯ Therapy with infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg significantly improved the signs and symptoms of arthritis, psoriasis, dactylitis, and enthesitis in patients with active PsA that had been resistant to DMARD therapy. With continued infliximab treatment, benefits were sustained through 50 weeks. The benefit-to-risk ratio appeared favorable in this study population.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPregabalin for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and lowered pain threshold. Other prominent symptoms include disordered sleep and fatigue. FMS affects an estimated 2% of the population, predominantly women. This trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin, a novel alpha(2)-delta ligand, for treatment of symptoms associated with FMS. ⋯ Pregabalin at 450 mg/day was efficacious for the treatment of FMS, reducing symptoms of pain, disturbed sleep, and fatigue compared with placebo. Pregabalin was well tolerated and improved global measures and health-related quality of life.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of etoricoxib in ankylosing spondylitis: results of a fifty-two-week, randomized, controlled study.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of etoricoxib, a cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor, administered continuously over 52 weeks for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ Etoricoxib at doses of 90 mg and 120 mg demonstrated superior efficacy compared with placebo over 6 weeks, and compared with naproxen over 1 year. These study results demonstrate that etoricoxib is generally safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious for the treatment of AS.