The oxidative metabolism of circulating phagocytes in ankylosing spondylitis: determination by whole blood chemiluminescence

Nrf-2/ROS/NF-κB pathway is modulated by cynarin in human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro from ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an immune chronic inflammatory disease, resulting in back pain, stiffness, and thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity. Based on the reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of cynarin (Cyn), this study explored its protective role and molecular mechanisms in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from AS. The target pathways and genes were verified using Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescent staining, while molecular docking analysis was conducted. In AS-MSCs, we found that the expression levels of p-NF-κB, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were higher and IκB-α, Nrf-2, and HO-1 were lower compared with healthy control (HC)-MSCs. With molecular docking analysis, the biding affinities between Cyn and Keap1-Nrf-2 and p65-IκB-α were predicted. The mRNA and protein expression of p-NF-κB, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were downregulated following Cyn administration. Meanwhile, the expression level of IκB-α, Nrf-2, and HO-1 were significantly increased after Cyn pretreatment. The results suggested that the protective mechanisms of Cyn in AS-MSCs were based on enhancing the antioxidation and suppression of excessive inflammatory responses via Nrf-2/ROS/NF-κB axis. Our findings demonstrate that Cyn is a potential candidate for alleviating inflammation in AS.

Structural characterization of polysaccharides from Geranium sanguineum L. and their immunomodulatory effects in response to inflammatory agents

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Geranium sanguineum L. is used for treatment of inflammations, anemia, malignant diseases of the blood-forming organs, diarrhea, respiratory infections, etc. Only flavonoids in root extracts have been elucidated as immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory compounds, and polysaccharides in the herb have not been examined.

AIM OF THE STUDY

to compare the chemical features of polysaccharide complexes (PSCs) from leaves (GSL-PSC) and roots (GSR-PSC) of G. sanguineum, as well as their immunomodulatory activities on leukocytes after inflammation, and effects on the growth of different bacteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The samples were isolated by water extraction and their structural features were studied by 2D NMR spectroscopy. The stimulatory effects of both PSCs on human leukocytes were analyzed with flow cytometry. Their suppressive activities on the oxidative burst in blood and derived neutrophils against opsonized zymosan and phorbol myristate acetate were investigated. The effects of the samples on viability, NO and interleukin 6 (IL-6) syntheses in RAW264.7 cells after inflammation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were tested. The prebiotic and anti-biofilm activities of the PSCs were evaluated.

RESULTS

The total carbohydrate content in the samples was significant (73.6-76.8%). GSL-PSC contained pectins, which were rich in homogalacturonan (HG), and smaller amounts of rhamnogalacturonan (RG) type I, decorated by 1,5-α-L-Araf, 1,4- and 1,6-β-D-Galp chains. GSR-PSC contained starch, followed by pectins with lower HG content and more RG-I regions, substituted by 1 → 3,5-α-L-arabinans and 1 → 3,6-β-D-galactans. GSL-PSC and GSR-PSC (200 μg/mL) increased monocyte and granulocyte cell counts, but GSR-PSC also elevated T helper and B cell levels in a normal and activated state. GSR-PSC triggered a dose-dependent (50-200 μg/mL) oxidative burst in blood, but alleviated it after inflammation even in blood-derived neutrophils. It was free of LPS, and activated NO and IL-6 productions in RAW264.7 cells better than GSL-PSC, without affecting their viability. Both PSCs (2.0%, w/v) stimulated probiotic co-cultures between Clostridium beijerinckii strains and Lactobacillus sp. ZK9, and inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella enterica.

CONCLUSIONS

The PSs in G. sanguineum could be involved in the stimulatory effects on blood-forming organs and anti-inflammatory action of aqueous root extracts in case of infections. These PSs should be included in synbiotic foods to support the treatment of inflammations and infections in the gut.

Haptoglobin and Its Related Protein, Zonulin-What Is Their Role in Spondyloarthropathy?

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein which supports the immune response and protects tissues from free radicals. Its concentration correlates with disease activity in spondyloarthropathies (SpAs). The Hp polymorphism determines the functional differences between Hp1 and Hp2 protein products. The role of the Hp polymorphism has been demonstrated in many diseases. In particular, the Hp 2-2 phenotype has been associated with the unfavorable course of some inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Its potential role in modulating the immune system in SpA is still unknown. This article contains pathophysiological considerations on the potential relationship between Hp, its polymorphism and SpA.

Oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction facilitates mesenchymal stem cell senescence in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease possessing a morbid serum microenvironment with enhanced oxidative stress. Long-term exposure to an oxidative environment usually results in cellular senescence alone with cellular dysfunction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a kind of stem cell possessing strong capabilities for immunoregulation, and senescent MSCs may increase inflammation and participate in AS pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to explore whether and how the oxidative serum environment of AS induces MSC senescence. Here, we found that AS serum facilitated senescence of MSCs in vitro, and articular tissues from AS patients exhibited higher expression levels of the cell cycle arrest-related proteins p53, p21 and p16. Importantly, the levels of advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs), markers of oxidative stress, were increased in AS serum and positively correlated with the extent of MSC senescence induced by AS serum. Furthermore, MSCs cultured with AS serum showed decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production together with a reduced oxygen consumption rate. Finally, we discovered that AS serum-induced mitochondrial dysfunction resulted in elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MSCs, and ROS inhibition successfully rescued MSCs from senescence. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that the oxidative serum environment of AS facilitated MSC senescence through inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive ROS production. These results may help elucidate the pathogenesis of AS and provide potential targets for AS treatment.

Quantifying Biofield Therapy through Biophoton Emission in a Cellular Model

Biofield therapy has shown positive results over a broad range of pathology from preclinical research to human studies. However, biofield therapy investigation is limited by an inability to quantify the therapeutic effect. This study aimed to measure the effects Reiki had on mice intervertebral disc (IVD) cells compared with sham and to quantify Reiki by measuring photon emission. We treated mice IVD cells with ten-minute sessions of either Reiki or sham on three successive days. During treatment, we placed the cells in a specifically constructed box with an installed photomultiplier tube (PMT). Reiki significantly increased the photon emission of the cells post-treatment compared with Reiki pre-treatment and sham (p < 0.05). Real time PCR (RT PCR) showed an increase in collagen II and aggrecan (p < 0.05). We present a means to quantify biofield therapy by measuring the post-treatment photon emission. We concurrently demonstrate Reiki's effect on the anabolic healing response.

Evaluation of circulating levels of inflammatory and bone formation markers in axial spondyloarthritis

Studies have demonstrated the important role of bone remodelling and osteoimmunology in the progression of inflammatory lesions in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the inflammatory response by analysis of the serum levels of pro-inflammatory and new bone formation markers in patients with axial SpA who were treated or not treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) or non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) and to identify whether these drugs modify the activity and severity of the disease. The serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), adenosine deaminase (ADA), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), and osteoprotegerin (OP) were measured in 52 SpA patients who were treated or not with anti-TNF-α or NSAIDs and in 26 healthy controls using colourimetric and enzyme immunoassay tests. The activity and the severity of illness in patients with SpA were assessed using questionnaires (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)). A significant difference between the controls and the patients without medication was observed in relation to NOx, BAP, and OP (p<0.01). When the patients were compared with regard to their treatment, there were no clinically significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, The NOx, BAP, and OP are emerging as important inflammatory pathways in axial SpA. Also the anti-TNF-α or non-steroidal drugs reduce the inflammation and destructions, however these treatments do not modify the serum levels of these biomarkers.

Ultraweak photon emission as a non-invasive health assessment: a systematic review

We conducted a systematic review (SR) of the peer reviewed scientific literature on ultraweak photon emissions (UPE) from humans. The question was: Can ultraweak photon emissions from humans be used as a non-invasive health assessment? A systematic search was conducted across eight relevant databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, BIOSIS, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO, All of Cochrane EBM databases, GIDEON, DoD Biomedical Research, and clinicaltrials.gov from database inception to October 2011. Of the 1315 studies captured by the search strategy, 56 met the inclusion criteria, out of which 1 was a RCT, 27 were CCT, and 28 were observational and descriptive studies. There were no systematic reviews/meta-analyses that fit the inclusion criteria. In this report, the authors provide an assessment of the quality of the RCT included; describe the characteristics of all the included studies, the outcomes assessed, and the effectiveness of photon emission as a potential health assessment tool. This report demonstrates that the peer reviewed literature on UPE and human UPE measurement in particular is surprisingly large. Most of the human UPE literature is of good to high quality based on our systematic evaluation. However, an evaluation tool for systematically evaluating this type of "bio-evaluation" methodology is not currently available and would be worth developing. Publications in the peer reviewed literature over the last 50 years demonstrate that the use of "off-the-shelf" technologies and well described methodologies for the detection of human photon emissions are being used on a regular basis in medical and research settings. The overall quality of this literature is good and the use of this approach for determining inflammatory and oxidative states of patients indicate the growing use and value of this approach as both a medical and research tool.

Association of cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase profiles with disease activity and function in ankylosing spondylitis

Introduction

The pathology of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) suggests that certain cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) might provide useful markers of disease activity. Serum levels of some cytokines and MMPs have been found to be elevated in active disease, but there is a general lack of information about biomarker profiles in AS and how these are related to disease activity and function. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether clinical measures of disease activity and function in AS are associated with particular profiles of circulating cytokines and MMPs.

Methods

Measurement of 30 cytokines, five MMPs and four tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases was carried out using Luminex^® technology on a well-characterised population of AS patients (n = 157). The relationship between biomarker levels and measures of disease activity (Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI)), function (Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index) and global health (Bath ankylosing spondylitis global health) was investigated. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the large number of biomarkers to a smaller set of independent components, which were investigated for their association with clinical measures. Further analyses were carried out using hierarchical clustering, multiple regression or multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Principal component analysis identified eight clusters consisting of various combinations of cytokines and MMPs. The strongest association with the BASDAI was found with a component consisting of MMP-8, MMP-9, hepatocyte growth factor and CXCL8, and was independent of C-reactive protein levels. This component was also associated with current smoking. Hierarchical clustering revealed two distinct patient clusters that could be separated on the basis of MMP levels. The high MMP cluster was associated with increased C-reactive protein, the BASDAI and the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index.

Conclusions

A profile consisting of high levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, hepatocyte growth factor and CXCL8 is associated with increased disease activity in AS. High MMP levels are also associated with smoking and worse function in AS.

Evaluation of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in ankylosing spondylitis patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the activities of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase in patients with ankylosing spondylitis with respect to those of healthy controls, to assess whether these enzyme levels are related to disease activity and functional capacity.

METHODS

The study included 32 patients with ankylosing spondylitis whose diagnoses were made according to the modified New York criteria as well as 25 healthy controls matched for age and sex. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index were applied to the ankylosing spondylitis patients. As laboratory parameters, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum C-reactive protein level were measured in patients and control subjects. Paraoxonase and arylesterase enzyme activities were measured using appropriate methods.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the ankylosing spondylitis patients and controls in terms of serum paraoxonase or arylesterase levels. Furthermore, there was no correlation between clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

CONCLUSION

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients may not differ from those of healthy controls, and there is no significant correlation between antioxidant parameters and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index or Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Further research is needed to provide deeper understanding of this disease.

The effect of infliximab on oxidative stress in chronic inflammatory joint disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate infliximab effect on oxidative stress in active chronic inflammatory joint disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population comprised 12 patients: five with ankylosing spondylitis, five with rheumatoid arthritis and two with psoriatic arthritis. At the time of the study all patients were divided into two groups: (i) seven active patients and (ii) five inactive patients according to the accepted criteria that define activity of disease for each of the diseases. C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured. Patient's Global Assessment of the Disease (PGA), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for ankylosing spondylitis patients and Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) for rheumatoid arthritis patients) were used for assessment of disease activity. Patients with active chronic inflammatory joint disease were introduced into the infliximab therapy programme.

RESULTS

Infliximab effects were evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment as changes in the quantity of lipid peroxidation products, protein carbonyl groups, reduced glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that: (i) infliximab has antioxidative properties, (ii) chronic inflammatory joint patients show high levels of oxidative injury, and (iii) oxidative stress is more intense in active disease group than in the inactive disease group.

Serum oxidative-antioxidative status in patients with ankylosing spondilitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disorder with unknown etiology that mainly affects the axial skeleton as well as the peripheral joints and extra-articular structures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Fifty AS patients with a mean Bath AS Activity Index (BASDAI) 4.6 (range 4-9.3) and 26 healthy controls were included in the study. Plasma TAS, TOS levels were determined by using novel automated methods. The OSI was calculated. Plasma TOS level and OSI values were significantly higher, and plasma TAS level was lower in patients than in healthy controls (15.8 +/- 4. 9 vs. 4.3 +/- 2.8, 12.8 +/- 3. 9 vs. 9.6 +/- 5.5, 1.2 +/- 0.03 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2, respectively, P < 0.001 for all). There was no significant correlation between oxidant/antioxidant parameters and disease activity. The results of this study indicated that increased oxidant and decreased antioxidant capacity may be associated with the pathogenesis of AS.

Increased DNA damage and oxidative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Oxidative stress has been described as an important mechanism that underlies chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the study was to investigate the peripheral DNA damage, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidative status (TOS) in patients with RA.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study population contained 25 patients with RA and 26 healthy controls. DNA damage was assessed by alkaline comet assay in peripheral lymphocyte, plasma levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidative status (TOS) were determined, and OSI was calculated using a novel automated measurement method. Disease activity was evaluated by DAS-28 score.

RESULTS

In RA patients, DNA damage was significantly higher than in controls (20.0+/-9.6 AU, 7.6+/-4.3 AU; p<0.001). Plasma TOS and OSI were higher in patients than in healthy controls (9.9+/-2.6 vs. 7.3+/-1.1, p<0.001; 1.04+/-0.4 vs. 0.7+/-0.1, p<0.001, respectively). Plasma TAS level in patients was lower than in healthy controls (0.9+/-0.7 vs. 1.01+/-0.7, p<0.001). DNA damage was correlated with TOS, OSI, and DAS-28 scores (r=0.682, p<0.001; r=0.753, p<0.001; r=0.519, p=0.008, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that lymphocyte DNA damage level increases in patients with RA. Elevated DNA damage may be related with increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant capacity. However, the mechanism of this association, and whether it is direct or indirect, remains to be explored.

The combined luminol/isoluminol chemiluminescence method for differentiating between extracellular and intracellular oxidant production by neutrophils

To address the question why isoluminol, but not luminol, failed to detect oxidants produced intracellularly, differences between these luminophores were investigated with respect to physicochemical parameters and the character of chemiluminescence signal. Our results showed the isoluminol molecule to be more polar, more hydrophilic and possessing lower ability to form intramolecular bonds than the luminol molecule. Therefore, isoluminol: (i) only slightly pervaded biological membranes; (ii) depended essentially on extracellular peroxidase; (iii) did not produce chemiluminescence in the presence of extracellular scavengers; and (iv) it could be considered a specific detector of extracellular radicals. On the other hand, the physicochemical parameters of luminol and partial resistance of its chemiluminescence to the effect of extracellular inhibitors proved the lipo/hydrophilic character of this luminophore and thus its ability to interact with radicals both outside and inside of cells. The luminol chemiluminescence measured in the presence of extracellular scavengers and the isoluminol chemiluminescence were used with the intention to differentiate the effects of two antihistamine drugs on intra- and extracellular radical formation. In activated human neutrophils, brompheniramine inhibited the extracellular and potentiated the intracellular part of chemiluminescence signal, whereas a reducing effect of loratadine was observed in both compartments.

Circulating mononuclear superoxide production and inflammatory markers for long-term prognosis in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Increased oxidative stress and vascular inflammation have been shown in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX; angina, exercise-induced ischemia, and normal coronary angiogram). This study was conducted to assess the impact of basal superoxide generation by circulating mononuclear cells (MNCs), a contributor to intravascular oxidative stress, and serum inflammatory biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1, and von Willebrand factor, on the long-term prognosis of CSX. During a mean follow-up of 31.5 +/- 14.2 months (maximum 5 years), a total of 12 events were recorded in 92 consecutive CSX patients. There were no deaths or myocardial infarctions, but 8 hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome, 3 for stroke, and 1 for congestive heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Under univariate analysis, only basal superoxide generation by MNCs was associated with the risk for cardiovascular event. Based on multivariate analysis, basal superoxide generation by MNCs could still independently predict future events (relative risk for the highest compared to the lowest tertile, 3.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-10.54, p = 0.008). These findings demonstrate that long-term prognosis is fair in patients with CSX. Basal superoxide production of MNCs independently predicts future cardiovascular events, suggesting its potential role in measuring disease progression and risk stratification in these patients.

Characterization of certain inflammatory variables in the peripheral blood of clinically healthy dogs

Many laboratory techniques have been developed to study and quantify the inflammatory response, including the release of acid hydrolase enzymes, leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and complement conversion studies. Although extensively studied in human health and disease, the relevance of such tests in the dog is largely unknown. After isolation of the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) fractions from the peripheral blood of 38 clinically healthy dogs, values for ROS production were similar for both cell fractions when measured by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (17,853+/-9,695 U/10(6) cells versus 19,138+/-14,569 U/10(6) cells for the PBMC (n=38) and PMN (n=18) fractions, respectively). However, the mean time taken to reach maximum chemiluminescence was noticeably shorter in the PBMC fraction (5.1+/-3.3 versus 10.7+/-2.5 min for PBMCs (n=36) and PMNs (n=18), respectively). Intracellular concentrations of beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were assayed by spectrofluorometry. Mean values for all three enzymes were higher in PBMCs (n=31-35) than in PMNs (n=10-14). Both cell fractions released 20% of the intracellular enzyme concentration when stimulated with opsonized zymosan. Following incubation with A23187 (1 microM), mean LTB(4) production was higher in PBMCs (4.45+/-2.92 ng/10(6) cells; n=27) than in PMNs (0.96+/-2.22 ng/10(6) cells; n=13) using a validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the mean percentage conversion of C3 to C3b following stimulation with opsonized zymosan was 57.3+/-13.4% (n=36). The results provide normal values for clinically healthy dogs that may subsequently be used in future studies investigating dogs with various inflammatory disorders.

Increased leukotriene B4 production, complement C3 conversion and acid hydrolase enzyme concentrations in different leucocyte sub-populations of dogs with atopic dermatitis

Various markers of the inflammatory response were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from 31 dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). The variables assayed included chemiluminescence, acid hydrolase enzyme concentrations, leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) production and complement C3 conversion. The results were compared to those derived from a population of clinically healthy dogs. Dogs with AD exhibited a significant increase in median LTB(4) production in PMNs compared to controls (0.94 versus 0.00 ng/10(6) cells; P<0.01). Significant increases in the median concentrations of intracellular beta-galactosidase (PBMC fraction - 0.42 versus 0.25 mU/10(6) cells; P<0.05) (PMN fraction - 0.47 versus 0.12 mU/10(6) cells; P<0.01) and beta-glucuronidase (PBMC fraction - 0.52 versus 0.27 mU/10(6) cells; P<0.05) were also evident in the AD group. Although median maximum chemiluminescence values for both leucocyte sub-populations were higher in controls, the differences recorded were not significant (P>0.05). However, the median time taken to reach maximum chemiluminescence was significantly shorter in the PMN fraction of dogs with AD (7.00 versus 10.00 min; P<0.01). Atopic dogs had a significant increase in the median percentage conversion of complement C3 to C3b (66.0 versus 57.3%; P<0.01). The results of this study indicate a priming of the inflammatory response in dogs with AD. The role of LTB(4) in the pathogenesis of canine AD and the potential efficacy of leukotriene antagonists in the treatment of this disorder warrant further investigation.

Serum nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

In this study, serum antioxidant and oxygen derived free radical status of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was investigated and compared with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The relationship of these parameters to disease activity indices was also examined. Thirty patients with AS not currently under disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment (e.g., sulfasalazine or methotrexate) (15 active and 15 inactive) and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), total (Cu-Zn and Mn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite (NO(2)(-)), and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) levels as indices of nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated using appropriate methods. There was no statistically significant difference found in SOD activity or NO and MDA levels between active and inactive patients. Inactive patients showed no significant difference in all the measured oxidant/antioxidant parameters when compared to healthy controls. Active patients had significantly higher levels of MDA and catalase enzyme activity ( P=0.002 and P=0.007, respectively). There was no significant correlation between oxidant/antioxidant parameters and disease activity, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (CRP, ESR, or BASDAI) in either group, except catalase enzyme activity, which had a significant correlation with CRP and ESR levels in active patients ( r=0.69 and P=0.004, r=0.52 and P=0.04, respectively). Our results indicate that oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are accelerated in untreated patients with active AS. Serum catalase activity may be closely related to disease activity. In this regard, we underscore the likely benefit of some therapeutic interventions including high-potential antioxidants that will potentiate the antioxidant defense mechanism and reduce peroxidation in the management of AS.

Cytochrome P450 1A1 and manganese superoxide dismutase genes polymorphisms in ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the associations of cytochrome p450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genes polymorphisms with the susceptibility to AS in Taiwan.

METHODS

The polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and MnSOD genes were determined in 70 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 93 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) methods.

RESULTS

The genotype frequency of CYP1A1 4887C/A was significantly lower in patients with AS than in controls. The phenotype frequency of CYP1A1 4887A also tended to be decreased in patients with AS. There were no significant differences in the genotype, allele, and phenotype frequencies of MnSOD gene polymorphisms between patients with AS and controls.

CONCLUSION

CYP1A1 4887A may be a protective factor for the development of AS in Taiwan. However, MnSOD gene polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility to AS.