塞来昔布联合survivin反义寡核苷酸对胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠的治疗作用

目的:探讨环氧化酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂塞来昔布和survivin反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)联合作用对胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠的治疗作用。方法:构建胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠模型,将成瘤裸鼠随机分为4组:对照组、塞来昔布组(给予1000ppm的塞来昔布饮水)、survivin ASODN组(瘤内注射40μg/200μL的survivin ASODN)、联合组(给予1000ppm的塞来昔布饮水的同时瘤内注射40μg/200μL的survivin ASODN);观测裸鼠肿瘤生长情况并测量不同时间的体积变化,于接种肿瘤的35天处死裸鼠,测瘤体质量,应用cas- pase-3试剂盒检测caspase-3活性,免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤增殖指数(PI)和微血管密度(MVD)。结果:治疗组平均体积均明显低于对照组(491.97±4.62mm~3,427.34±14.62mm~3,300.39±6.59mm~3 vs 703.56±12.51 mm~3,P<0.01),其中联合治疗组体积明显低于塞来昔布组或survivin ASODN组(P<0.01);平均抑瘤率分别为32.26%、50.86%、62.07%。治疗组caspase-3相对活性明显高于对照组(0.026±0.003、0.040±0.018、0.059±0.005 vs 0.006±0.001,P<0.01),其中联合治疗组caspase-3相对活性明显高于塞来昔布组(P<0.01)或survivin ASODN组(P<0.05);治疗组平均PI和MVD均明显低于对照组(P<0.01,或P<0.05),其中联合治疗组平均PI和MVD明显低于塞来昔布组或survivin ASODN组(P<0.01,或P<0.05)。结论:COX-2抑制剂塞来昔布和survivin ASODN联合应用可显著抑制荷胰腺癌裸鼠的肿瘤生长,其作用机制可能是通过共同提高caspase-3活性来诱导细胞凋亡,通过抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖和新生血管的形成来发挥抗肿瘤效应,为胰腺癌的治疗提供了新的思路。     

金乌骨通胶囊联合塞来昔布胶囊治疗强直性脊柱炎的临床研究

摘要 目的：观察金乌骨通胶囊联合塞来昔布胶囊治疗强直性脊柱炎（AS）的临床疗效。方法：选取天津中医药大学第一附属医院2017年4月~2020年4月期间收治的126例AS患者。采用双色球法（红色、绿色）将患者分为对照组（红色）和研究组（绿色）,各63例。对照组接受塞来昔布胶囊治疗,研究组接受金乌骨通胶囊联合塞来昔布胶囊治疗,两组均治疗3个月。治疗3个月后,观察两组疗效,记录治疗期间不良反应发生率,对比两组治疗前、治疗3个月后的临床症状缓解情况、生存质量及实验室指标变化。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,研究组巴氏强直性脊柱炎疾病活动指数（BASDAI）、巴氏强直性脊柱炎功能指数（BASFI）评分低于对照组,枕墙距小于对照组,腰椎活动度、胸廓活动度大于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,研究组世界卫生组织生存质量简表（WHOQOL-BRIEF）各维度评分高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,研究组血沉（ESR）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）、白介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：金乌骨通胶囊联合塞来昔布胶囊治疗AS患者,可促进其临床症状及生存质量改善,降低ESR及炎性因子水平,是一种安全有效的治疗方案。     

不同剂量的塞来昔布对C57BL/6小鼠移植瘤微淋巴管密度抑制作用的研究(英文)

目的:观察不同剂量的塞来昔布对C57BL/6小鼠肺癌移植瘤生长、COX-2表达和微淋巴管密度影响,探讨塞来昔布对C57BL/6小鼠肺癌移植瘤淋巴管生成可能作用机制及量效关系。方法:将Lewis肺癌细胞株接种于C57BL/6小鼠左侧腹股沟皮下建立移植瘤模型,随机分为4组:对照组、塞来昔布低剂量、中剂量、高剂量组。观察荷瘤小鼠生存状态,瘤体积变化,种瘤42天后牺牲小鼠,western blot半定量检测COX-2表达及微淋巴管密度。结果:Western blot半定量显示:塞来昔布高、中剂量组COX-2的表达水平及免疫组织化学染色微淋巴管密度计数均明显减低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),低剂量组略有减低但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。抑制程度呈明显的剂量依赖性。结论:塞来昔布抑制Lewis肺癌移植瘤的生长及淋巴转移,可能与下调COX-2的表达,阻遏了淋巴管生成的信号通路,抑制微淋巴管生成有关,该抑制作用呈一定的剂量相关性。     

塞来昔布对直肠癌HCA-7 细胞放射敏感性的实验研究

目的:观察环氧合酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂塞来昔布对直肠癌HCA-7细胞株的放射敏感性及探讨其机制。方法:采用MTT法检测塞来昔布作用不同时间对直肠癌HCA-7细胞株增殖的影响,计算出塞来昔布的半数抑制浓度IC50;HCA-7细胞克隆形成实验用于检测塞来昔布对HCA-7细胞的放射敏感性,并绘制存活曲线;流式细胞仪(FCM)测定塞来昔布对HCA-7的细胞周期的影响。结果:塞来昔布对HCA-7细胞株的抑制率随时间的延长而升高,48h的IC50是40.19μmol/L;照射组+药物组的SF2、D0、Dq、SER较单纯照射组均有所下降。塞来昔布使HCA-7细胞发生G2和M期阻滞,并抑制S期的比例。结论:塞来昔布能增加直肠癌HCA-7细胞的放射敏感性。     

二甲双胍联合塞来昔布对胰腺癌细胞增殖及Caspase-3活性的影响

目的:探讨二甲双胍和塞来昔布单独或联合应用对胰腺癌细胞增殖和Caspase-3活性的影响。方法:体外培养人胰腺癌BxPC-3和As PC-1细胞,用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法检测不同浓度二甲双胍和塞来细胞对胰腺癌细胞存活率的影响。联合实验分4组:对照组、二甲双胍组(MET,15 mmol/L)、塞来昔布组(CEL,100μmmol/L),二甲双胍和塞来昔布联合组(MET 15 mmol/L+CEL100μmmol/L),孵育48 h,用MTT检测细胞存活率,用Caspase-3比色测定试剂盒测定Caspase-3活性。结果:二甲双胍和塞来昔布单药均可以时间和剂量依赖性方式降低胰腺癌Bx PC-3和As PC-1细胞的生存率。两种细胞系的各加药组细胞存活率与对照组比较差异均存在统计学意义(P0.01),联合实验组的细胞存活率明显低于单独用药组(P0.01)。二甲双胍和塞来昔布单药处理的胰腺癌Bx PC-3和As PC-1细胞Caspase-3活性均显著高于对照组(P0.01),二甲双胍和塞来昔布联合实验组Caspase-3活性均明显高于单药处理组和对照组(P0.01),但二甲双胍组和塞来昔布组之间的Caspase-3活性比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:二甲双胍和塞来昔布联合作用可协同抑制胰腺癌细胞的增殖,并通过激活Caspase-3活性促进胰腺癌细胞的凋亡,其联合应用可能成为胰腺癌药物治疗的有效策略。     

双氯芬酸钠与塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎的疗效及对心血管的影响研究

目的:探讨双氯芬酸钠和塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎的临床疗效及用药安全性。方法:将我院2011年1月-2012年1月门诊收治的98例类风湿性关节炎患者随机分为对照组和观察组,每组49例。对照组给予双氯芬酸钠治疗,观察组给予塞来昔布治疗,观察两组临床治疗效果及心血管不良事件的发生情况。结果:观察组总有效率为91.84%显著高于对照组的75.51%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组ESR及CRP分别为(110.65±7.28)mm/h和(10.42±0.98)mg/L显著低于治疗前和对照组,比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组心血管不良事件发生率为8.16%显著低于对照组的20.41%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:塞来昔布治疗类风湿关节炎具有较好的临床疗效,可有效改善患者疼痛、僵硬或功能受限等症状,且心血管不良事件发生率低,值得临床进一步推广和应用。     

帕瑞昔布联合曲马多用于腹腔镜胆囊切除术术后镇痛

目的:观察帕瑞昔布联合应用曲马多用于腹腔镜胆囊切镇痛的作用效果评价。方法:72例行腹腔镜胆囊切除术的患者,随机分成3组,每组24例。A组与B组术前15 min静注帕瑞昔布0.8mg/kg,C组手术结束前10 min静注帕瑞昔布0.8mg/kg;术毕A组静注生理盐水20 mL,B组与C组静注曲马多1 mg/kg。分别记录术毕给药后1、3、6、12、24 h的视觉模拟评分(VAS评分),不良反应及患者对镇痛治疗的总体满意度。结果:B组VAS评分在术后24h内各时间点均低于A组和C组(P<0.05);3组术后不良反应无显著差异(P>0.05);B组镇痛药物用量明显少于A、C组(P<0.05);患者对镇痛治疗总体满意度B组与A组、C组比较均有统计学意义(P<0105)。结论:帕瑞昔布术前应用具有超前镇痛作用,同时联合应用曲马多,可以提高镇痛质量,是腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者术后镇痛的良好选择。     

脊柱三扳法联合塞来昔布对强直性脊柱炎患者胸腰椎活动和BMP/Smad信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨脊柱三扳法联合塞来昔布对强直性脊柱炎（AS）患者胸腰椎活动和骨形态发生蛋白（BMP）/细胞信号转导分子(Smad)信号通路的影响。方法：选取2016年7月~2018年12月期间我院收治的AS患者150例,根据随机数字表法分为A组（n=50,给予脊柱三扳法治疗）、B组（n=50,给予塞来昔布治疗）和C组（n=50,给予脊柱三扳法联合塞来昔布治疗）,比较三组患者疗效、胸腰椎活动指标、BMP/Smad信号通路相关指标及不良反应发生率。结果：C组治疗6个月后的临床总有效率为94.00%（47/50）高于A组的66.00%（33/50）、B组的72.00%（36/50）（P<0.05）;C组治疗6个月后胸廓活动度、腰椎活动度均高于A组、B组（P<0.05）,指-地距离短于A组、B组（P<0.05）。C组治疗6个月后BMP-Ⅰ受体、BMP-Ⅱ受体、Smad1、Smad4表达水平均低于A组、B组（P<0.05）。三组不良反应发生率比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：脊柱三扳法联合塞来昔布治疗AS患者,疗效显著,可有效改善胸腰椎活动,且不增加不良反应发生率,其具体作用机制可能是通过调节BMP/Smad信号通路实现。     

基于气相色谱-质谱法测定塞来昔布中磺酸酯类基因毒性杂质的残留量

为了建立一种测定塞来昔布原料药及其制剂中塞来昔布磺酸甲酯和塞来昔布磺酸乙酯残留量的气相色谱-质谱(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS)分析方法,采用碘化钠衍生-顶空进样,将两杂质衍生成碘甲烷和碘乙烷,DB624毛细管色谱柱(60 m×0.25 mm,1.4μm)分离,氦气为载气,质谱检测器检测。塞来昔布磺酸甲酯和塞来昔布磺酸乙酯均在10～500 ng·m L^-1浓度范围内线性关系良好;回收率在80.87%～106.52%,RSD小于10%;定量限均为10 ng·m L^-1。所有塞来昔布样品中均未检测出塞来昔布磺酸甲酯和塞来昔布磺酸乙酯杂质。该方法简便准确,可用于塞来昔布中塞来昔布磺酸甲酯和塞来昔布磺酸乙酯2个磺酸酯类基因毒性杂质的检测。     

Celecoxib 联合X 线对胆管癌细胞株QBC939 凋亡的影响

目的:研究塞来昔布联合X线在体外环境下对人胆管癌细胞株QBC939凋亡的影响并对其机制进行初步探讨。方法:CCK-8检测出不同浓度的塞来昔布及不同剂量的X线对QBC939细胞株的增值抑制率,确定塞来昔布组的IC50及X线组的IC50。将QBC939细胞株分为5组:对照组(control)、X线组(R)、塞来昔布组(C)、塞来昔布再加X线组(C+R),X线再加塞来昔布组(R+C)。用流式细胞仪检测各组的凋亡率,western blot检测凋亡相关基因survivin蛋白的表达。结果:联合使用塞来昔布和放疗组的凋亡率有明显的增加,从8.268%,11.233%到15.733%,22.133%(P<0.05)。western结果显示联合组survivin蛋白的表达也明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。先用塞来昔布再加放疗的效果要优于先用放疗后用塞来昔布的效果。结论:塞来昔布联合X线对QBC939细胞株有凋亡增敏作用,作用可能机制之一是通过降低或下调凋亡相关基因survivin蛋白的表达。     

Effects of fibromyalgia on the disease activity and treatment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Objectives:To investigate whether patients with radiologically positive spondyloarthritis (SpA), suffer from comorbid fibromyalgia (FM), and to explore the impact of FM on the clinical manifestations and blood test results of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:121 patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were enrolled in the study. The body function of the patients was evaluated using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI); the mental health was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results:Out of 121 patients with SpA, 111 patients were with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and 11 patients with FM; 10 patients with peripheral SpA and 1 patient with FM. In axSpA, 107 were radiologically positive axSpA patients, 11 were complicated by FM, and 4 were radiologically negative axSpA (nr-axSpA). Among radiologically positive axSpA, the proportion of female patients in the FM group was higher (63.6%, P<0.05). The ASDAS-C-reactive protein (CRP), ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), BASDAI, BASFI, and HADS-anxiety score, and HADS-depression score of the FM group were all significantly higher than those of the non-FM group.Conclusions:When determining the treatment plan for SpA, the possibility of coexistence of FM should be considered, and adjuvant treatment should be given when necessary.     

Discriminant validity,responsiveness and reliability of the arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey assessing workplace and household productivity within and outside the home in patients with axial spondyloarthritis,including nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

Introduction

The arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey (WPS) was developed to evaluate productivity limitations associated with arthritis within and outside the home. There is an unmet need for an instrument assessing similar productivity limitations in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including nonradiographic axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis. Following its validation in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, we aimed to assess psychometric properties of WPS in adult-onset active axSpA in this analysis.

Methods

Psychometric properties were assessed using data from the RAPID-axSpA trial ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01087762","term_id":"NCT01087762"}}NCT01087762) in which researchers investigated certolizumab pegol efficacy and safety in axSpA. WPS was completed at baseline and every 4 weeks until week 24. Validity was evaluated at study baseline via known-groups defined by the first and third quartile cutoffs of patient scores to Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), back pain, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL). Responsiveness and reliability were assessed by comparing WPS mean changes in ASAS 20% improvement criteria (ASAS20), BASDAI50, ASDAS clinically important improvement/major improvement (CII/MI) and BASFI minimum clinically important difference (MCID) responders versus nonresponders at week 12. All comparisons were conducted on observed cases in the randomized set using a nonparametric bootstrap-t method.

Results

The results confirmed the psychometric properties of WPS. AxSpA patients with a worse health state had significantly more days of household work lost, household work with reduced productivity, social activities missed and outside help hired, as well as a higher interference rate of arthritis, than patients with a better health state. Similarly, employed patients with a worse health state had significantly more work days lost or with productivity reduced, and a higher interference of arthritis on work productivity. Similar findings were also observed in the nonradiographic (nr) axSpA and AS subpopulations. The WPS was responsive to clinical changes, with responders reporting larger improvements at week 12 in WPS scores versus nonresponders. Effect sizes in responders were generally moderate to large (standardized response mean >0.5).

Conclusions

These analyses demonstrate that WPS is a valid, responsive and reliable instrument for the measurement of productivity within and outside the home in adult-onset axSpA, as well as the in subpopulations of AS and nr-axSpA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/ar4680) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

痹祺胶囊联合依那西普对强直性脊柱炎患者急性时相反应物指标、血清疼痛介质和骨代谢指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨痹祺胶囊联合依那西普对强直性脊柱炎（AS）患者急性时相反应物指标、血清疼痛介质和骨代谢指标的影响。方法：纳入西安市第五医院2020年4月~2022年3月期间收治的96例AS患者。按照随机数字表法分为对照组（n=48）和研究组（n=48）,对照组接受依那西普治疗,研究组接受痹祺胶囊联合依那西普治疗。对比两组疗效、临床症状指标[Bath强直性脊柱炎活动指数（BASDAI）、Bath强直性脊柱炎功能指数（BASFI）、Bath强直性脊柱炎计量学指数（BASMI）、视觉疼痛模拟（VAS）评分]、急性时相反应物指标[红细胞沉降率（ESR）、C反应蛋白（CRP）]、血清疼痛介质指标[前列腺素E₂ (PGE₂) 、P物质( SP)、多巴胺（DA）,五羟色胺（5-HT）]和骨代谢指标[骨形态发生蛋白-2（BMP-2）、骨钙素（BGP）],观察两组不良反应发生情况。结果：研究组（95.83%）的临床总有效率高于对照组（79.17%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组治疗后PGE₂、SP、DA、5-HT下降,且研究组的下降程度更大（P<0.05）。两组治疗后CRP、ESR下降,且研究组的下降程度更大（P<0.05）。两组治疗后BMP-2、BGP升高,且研究组的升高程度更大（P<0.05）。两组治疗后BASDAI、BASFI、BASMI、VAS评分下降,且研究组的下降程度更大（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：痹祺胶囊联合依那西普治疗AS患者,疗效较好,可改善临床症状,调节急性时相反应物指标、血清疼痛介质和骨代谢指标水平,安全性较高。     

Association of ORAI1 haplotypes with the risk of HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, spine and peripheral joints. The aetiology of ankylosing spondylitis is still unclear. Previous studies have indicated that genetics factors such as human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 associates to AS susceptibility. We carried out a case-control study to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 gene, a major component of store-operated calcium channels that involved the regulation of immune system, is a susceptibility factor to AS in a Taiwanese population. We enrolled 361 AS patients fulfilled the modified New York criteria and 379 controls from community. Five tagging single nucleotides polymorphisms (tSNPs) at ORAI1 were selected from the data of Han Chinese population in HapMap project. Clinical statuses of AS were assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Index (BAS-G). Our results indicated that subjects carrying the minor allele homozygote (CC) of the promoter SNP rs12313273 or TT homozygote of the SNP rs7135617 had an increased risk of HLA-B27 positive AS. The minor allele C of 3′UTR SNP rs712853 exerted a protective effect to HLA-B27 positive AS. Furthermore, the rs12313273/rs7135617 pairwise allele analysis found that C-G (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.27, 2.25; p = 0.0003) and T-T (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.36, 2.27; p<0.0001) haplotypes had a significantly association with the risk of HLA-B27-positive AS in comparison with the T-G carriers. This is the first study that indicate haplotypes of ORAI1 (rs12313273 and rs7135617) are associated with the risk of HLA-B27 positive AS.     

Increased Levels of IgG Antibodies against Human HSP60 in Patients with Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) comprises a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases, with strong association to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27. A triggering bacterial infection has been considered as the cause of SpA, and bacterial heat shock protein (HSP) seems to be a strong T cell antigen. Since bacterial and human HSP60, also named HSPD1, are highly homologous, cross-reactivity has been suggested in disease initiation. In this study, levels of antibodies against bacterial and human HSP60 were analysed in SpA patients and healthy controls, and the association between such antibodies and disease severity in relation to HLA-B27 was evaluated.Serum samples from 82 patients and 50 controls were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 antibodies against human HSP60 and HSP60 from Chlamydia trachomatis, Salmonella enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni. Disease severity was assessed by the clinical scorings Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI).Levels of IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies against human HSP60, but not antibodies against bacterial HSP60, were elevated in the SpA group compared with the control group. Association between IgG3 antibodies against human HSP60 and BASMI was shown in HLA-B27⁺ patients. Only weak correlation between antibodies against bacterial and human HSP60 was seen, and there was no indication of cross-reaction.These results suggest that antibodies against human HSP60 is associated with SpA, however, the theory that antibodies against human HSP60 is a specific part of the aetiology, through cross-reaction to bacterial HSP60, cannot be supported by results from this study. We suggest that the association between elevated levels of antibodies against human HSP60 and disease may reflect a general activation of the immune system and an increased expression of human HSP60 in the synovium of patients with SpA.     

Efficacy of High Intensity Exercise on Disease Activity and Cardiovascular Risk in Active Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Background

Physical therapy is recommended for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and flexibility exercises have traditionally been the main focus. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are considered as a major health concern in axSpA and there is strong evidence that endurance and strength exercise protects against CV diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high intensity endurance and strength exercise on disease activity and CV health in patients with active axSpA.

Methods

In a single blinded randomized controlled pilot study the exercise group (EG) performed 12 weeks of endurance and strength exercise while the control group (CG) received treatment as usual. The primary outcome was the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Secondary outcomes included patient reported disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), physical function (Bath AS Functional Index [BASFI]), and CV risk factors measured by arterial stiffness (Augmentation Index [Alx]) and Pulse Wave Velocity [PWV]), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ peak) and body composition. ANCOVA on the post intervention values with baseline values as covariates was used to assess group differences, and Mann Whitney U-test was used for outcomes with skewed residuals.

Results

Twenty-eight patients were included and 24 (EG, n = 10, CG, n = 14) completed the study. A mean treatment effect of −0.7 (95%CI: −1.4, 0.1) was seen in ASDAS score. Treatment effects were also observed in secondary outcomes (mean group difference [95%CI]): BASDAI: −2.0 (−3.6, −0.4), BASFI: −1.4 (−2.6, −0.3), arterial stiffness (estimated median group differences [95% CI]): AIx (%): −5.3 (−11.0, −0.5), and for PVW (m/s): −0.3 (−0.7, 0.0), VO₂ peak (ml/kg/min) (mean group difference [95%CI]: 3.7 (2.1, 5.2) and trunk fat (%): −1.8 (−3.0, −0.6). No adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

High intensity exercise improved disease activity and reduced CV risk factors in patients with active axSpA. These effects will be further explored in a larger trial.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01436942","term_id":"NCT01436942"}}NCT01436942     

Plasma levels of pentraxin 3 in patients with spondyloarthritis

Context: Determining the disease’s inflammatory activity in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is difficult although very important as it is this that drives treatment.

Objective: To investigate if plasma pentraxin-3 (PTX3) could act as an inflammatory marker in SpA.

Methods: Eighty one SpA patients (11 with psoriatic arthritis (PsoA) and 70 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)) and 90 gender and age paired controls were studied for plasma PTX3 levels by ELISA. Patients had determinations of disease activity through C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP. Epidemiological, clinical and treatment data were collected through chart review.

Results: SpA patients had lower concentrations of plasma PTX3 than controls (median of 0.95?ng/mL vs 1.64?ng/mL; p?p?=?0.42). Uveitis, presence of HLA B27, tobacco exposure, age and disease duration did not influence PTX3 levels.

Conclusions: PTX3 plasma levels do not reflect disease activity in SpA. However, it probably participates in the ethiopathogenetic process, as it is consumed in these patients.     

Sleep disturbances are associated with increased pain,disease activity,depression, and anxiety in ankylosing spondylitis: a case-control study

Introduction

Literature data suggest that sleep disturbances are prevalent among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and have a close correlation with pain. Other studies indicate that sleep disturbances are constantly accompanied by depression and anxiety in AS, but their interrelations are poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate sleep disturbances and their association with demographic variables, pain, disease-specific variables, functional status, covering depression and anxiety in AS patients.

Methods

The 314 patients with AS and age- and sex-matched controls took part in the study, completed a battery of questionnaires, and participated in long-term follow-up. Blood samples were taken to measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The association among sleep, pain, disease activity, functional status, depression, and anxiety were assessed by using Pearson/Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis.

Results

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of the Chinese version was significantly higher in the AS group than in the control group (P = 0.020). Of the 314 patients with AS, 184 (58.6%) had a high risk for sleep disturbances. The PSQI score was associated with age, years of education, ESR, CRP, overall assessment of health, pain, morning stiffness, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), depression, and anxiety (all P < 0.001), but were not associated with disease duration, fingertip-to-floor distance, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) (P > 0.05). In hierarchic multiple regression analysis, the medical and psychological variables contributed significantly to the variance in sleep-disturbances scores, adding an additional 23.9% to the overall R² beyond that accounted for by demographic variables (R-square, 8.5%), resulting in a final R²of 42.6%. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that anxiety was the maximal statistical contribution in predicting sleep disturbances (standardized coefficients, 0.287).

Conclusions

The prevalence of sleep disturbances in AS patients is higher than it is generally thought to be. Depression, anxiety, nocturnal pain, and total back pain are the major contributors of sleep disturbances in AS.     

Good correlation between changes in objective and subjective signs of inflammation in patients with short- but not long duration of axial spondyloarthritis treated with tumor necrosis factor-blockers

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of symptom duration on treatment response and on the correlation between improvements in patient reported outcomes (PRO) and objective inflammation in patients with axial spondylarthritis (SpA) treated with etanercept (ETA) or adalimumab (ADA).

Methods

Data from 112 patients with axial SpA originally enrolled in two randomized controlled clinical trials were pooled and analyzed after one year of treatment with ETA (n = 66) or ADA (n = 46). Patients with <4 years and ≥4 years of disease were compared for improvement in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), C-reactive protein (CRP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score for sacroiliac joints (SIJ).

Results

Patients with <4 years of disease showed a significantly better improvement than longer diseased patients in BASDAI (3.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7 to 3.7) vs. 1.7 (1.1 to 2.2)), BASFI, BASMI and ASDAS (1.6 (1.4 to 1.8) vs. 0.9 (0.7 to 1.1)). The change in BASDAI showed a significant correlation with the change in SIJ score (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rho) = 0.37, P = 0.01) and the change in CRP (rho = 0.45, P = 0.001) in patients with <4 years of disease. For long diseased patients this correlation was poor and did not achieve statistical significance (rho = 0.13, P = 0.46; rho = 0.22, P = 0.13 respectively).

Conclusion

The low correlation between change of PROs and change of objective signs of inflammation seen in axial SpA patients with longer symptom duration treated with tumor necrosis factor-blocker seems to indicate that inflammation is not the only cause of the patients’ symptoms, while inflammation seems to be the major cause in short diseased patients.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials.gov NCT00844142 (Trial 1); NCT00235105 (Trial 2)     

Low sclerostin levels: a predictive marker of persistent inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy?

Introduction

Sclerostin levels have been reported to be low in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but there is no data regarding the possible role of this Wnt inhibitor during anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. The present study longitudinally evaluated sclerostin levels, inflammatory markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in AS patients under anti-TNF therapy.

Methods

Thirty active AS patients were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after anti-TNF therapy regarding clinical parameters, inflammatory markers, BMD and baseline radiographic damage (mSASSS). Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals comprised the control group. Patients'' sclerostin levels, sclerostin binding low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) and BMD were evaluated at the same time points and compared to controls.

Results

At baseline, AS patients had lower sclerostin levels (60.5 ± 32.7 vs. 96.7 ± 52.9 pmol/L, P = 0.002) and comparable sclerostin binding to LRP6 (P = 0.387) than controls. Improvement of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Ankylosing Spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL) was observed at baseline vs. 6 vs. 12 months (P < 0.01). Concomitantly, a gradual increase in spine BMD (P < 0.001) and a positive correlation between baseline mSASSS and spine BMD was found (r = 0.468, P < 0.01). Inflammatory parameters reduction was observed comparing baseline vs. 6 vs. 12 months (P <0.01). Sclerostin levels progressively increased [baseline (60.5 ± 32.7) vs. 6 months (67.1 ± 31.9) vs. 12 months (72.7 ± 32.3) pmol/L, P <0.001]. At 12 months, the sclerostin levels remained significantly lower in patients compared to controls (72.7 ± 32.3 vs. 96.70 ± 52.85 pmol/L, P = 0.038). Moreover, sclerostin serum levels at 12 months were lower in the 10 patients with high C reactive protein (CRP) (≥ 5 mg/l) compared to the other 20 patients with normal CRP (P = 0.004). Of note, these 10 patients with persistent inflammation also had lower sclerostin serum levels at baseline compared to the other patients (P = 0.023). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that AS patients with lower sclerostin serum levels had an increased risk to have high CRP at 12 months (odds ratio = 7.43, 95% CI 1.23 to 45.01, P = 0.020) than those with higher sclerostin values.

Conclusions

Persistent low sclerostin levels may underlie continuous inflammation in AS patients under anti-TNF therapy.