Clin Exp Rheumatol
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The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leptin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSFs). ⋯ Leptin may be one of the proinflammatory cytokines that up-regulates IL-6 production in RSFs via activation of JAK2/STAT3. Leptin and JAK/STAT pathway may represent a new alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of RA.
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Comparative Study
The expression of transmembrane and soluble CXCL16 and the relation with interferon-alpha secretion in patients with Behçet's disease.
CXCL16 is a member of CXC chemokine, which is synthesised in plasmacytoid dendritic cell as a transmembrane molecule. Transmembrane CXCL16 on plasmacytoid dendritic cell plays a role in binding, uptaking and accumulation of CpG D ODN in early endosomes rather then lysosomal vesicles, thereby causing a high level of interferon-alpha secretion. Previously, we disclosed pronounced interferon-alpha production from these cells in patients with Behçet's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the secretion of IFN-α and the expression of CXCL16 on surface of plasmacytoid dendritic cell from patients with Behçet's disease, and compare it with patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy controls. ⋯ We suggested that the expression of transmembrane CXCL16 on surface of plasmacytoid dendritic cell might contribute to high serum IFN-α levels seen in patients with BD.
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Comparative Study
Cost comparison of adding pregabalin or gabapentin for the first time to the therapy of patients with painful axial radiculopathy treated in Spain.
This paper aims to compare the costs of initiating pregabalin or gabapentin in the therapeutic management of patients with painful axial radiculopathy in routine medical practice. ⋯ In a population setting, pregabalin-treated patients with painful radiculopathies were considerably less costly for the healthcare payer than those treated with gabapentin in routine clinical practice. Patients treated with pregabalin had significantly fewer days of sick leave than gabapentin-treated patients.
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Case Reports
Brain stem infarction associated with familial Mediterranean fever and central nervous system vasculitis.
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations of the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene on chromosome 16p. Clinically, it is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and painful polyserositis. An association of FMF with systemic vasculitis, namely Henoch-Schönlein purpura, polyarteritis nodosa and Behçet's disease has been described. ⋯ Hitherto hardly known, we herein present a young patient with a genetically proven FMF who suffered a brain stem infarction during a typical FMF attack. After a careful diagnostic workup including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, intra-arterial angiography and leptomeningeal biopsy, a FMF-associated central nervous system vasculitis was identified as the cause of stroke. The pathophysiological background and potential therapeutic strategies are discussed.
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Case Reports
Life-threatening vasculo-Behçet following discontinuation of infliximab after three years of complete remission.
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, complex multisystem vasculitis of unknown cause characterised for its ability to involve blood vessels of all sizes on both the arterial and venous sides of the circulation. It has been suggested that TNF-alpha plays a main role in the pathogenesis of BD. ⋯ We describe a case of BD without previous vascular involvement that developed myocardial infarction and severe venous thromboses only four months after discontinuation of infliximab (IFX) after more than three years of complete remission. The patient did not respond to corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide and only recovered completely after reintroducing IFX.