Basic aminopeptidase activity is an emerging biomarker in collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to investigate the catalytic activity of basic aminopeptidase (APB) and its association with periarticular edema and circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and type II collagen (CII) antibodies (AACII) in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced by CII (CIA). Edema does not occur in part of CH-treated, even when AACII is higher than in control. TNF-alpha is detectable only in edematous CII-treated. APB in synovial membrane is predominantly a membrane-bound activity also present in soluble form and with higher activity in edematous than in non-edematous CH-treated or control. Synovial fluid and blood plasma have lower APB in non-edematous than in edematous CII-treated or control. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) the highest levels of APB are found in soluble form in control and in membrane-bound form in non-edematous CII-treated. CII treatment distinguishes two categories of rats: one with arthritic edema, high AACII, detectable TNF-alpha, high soluble and membrane-bound APB in synovial membrane and low APB in the soluble fraction of PBMCs, and another without edema and with high AACII, undetectable TNF-alpha, low APB in the synovial fluid and blood plasma and high APB in the membrane-bound fraction of PBMCs. Data suggest that APB and CIA are strongly related. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Differences in muscle activity during hand dexterity tasks between women with arthritis and a healthy reference group

Background. Impaired hand function is common in patients with arthritis and it affects performance of daily activities; thus, hand exercises are recommended. There is little information on the extent to which the disease affects activation of the flexor and extensor muscles during these hand-dexterity tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation during such tasks in subjects with arthritis and in a healthy reference group. Methods. Muscle activation was measured in m. extensor digitorium communis (EDC) and in m. flexor carpi radialis (FCR) with surface electromyography (EMG) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n���=���20), hand osteoarthritis (HOA, n���=���16) and in a healthy reference group (n���=���20) during the performance of four daily activity tasks and four hand exercises. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was measured to enable intermuscular comparisons, and muscle activation is presented as %MVIC. Results. The arthritis group used a higher %MVIC than the reference group in both FCR and EDC when cutting with a pair of scissors, pulling up a zipper and���for the EDC���also when writing with a pen and using a key (p���<���0.02). The exercise ���rolling dough with flat hands��� required the lowest %MVIC and may be less effective in improving muscle strength. Conclusions. Women with arthritis tend to use higher levels of muscle activation in daily tasks than healthy women, and wrist extensors and flexors appear to be equally affected. It is important that hand training programs reflect real-life situations and focus also on extensor strength.

Altera����es radiogr��ficas e ultra-sonogr��ficas iniciais em osteoartrite experimental eq��ina

Avaliaram-se oito articula����es metacarpofalangeanas (MCF) de eq��inos adultos pelos exames radiogr��fico e ultra-sonogr��fico ap��s indu����o cir��rgica de uma instabilidade articular, para mimetizar as altera����es iniciais da osteoartrite (OA) naturalmente adquirida. Foram mensurados a circunfer��ncia articular, a amplitude do movimento articular e o grau de claudica����o dos membros tor��cicos (avalia����o cl��nica). Dez dias ap��s a interven����o cir��rgica os animais foram exercitados em um andador por um per��odo de 60 dias. Os exames radiogr��fico e ultra-sonogr��fico foram realizados antes da interven����o cir��rgica e ap��s 25, 40 e 70 dias, e a avalia����o cl��nica, semanalmente, durante todo o per��odo experimental. Observaram-se altera����es ultra-sonogr��ficas aos 25 dias ap��s a instabilidade articular, enquanto as altera����es radiogr��ficas somente foram visualizadas aos 40 dias. Houve aumento significativo (P<0,05) da circunfer��ncia articular da articula����o MCF operada (25,75cm�� 1,1) a partir do s��timo dia, em rela����o �� articula����o controle (24,88cm�� 1,0) e diminui����o da amplitude do movimento da articula����o operada (96,38���� 10,7) a partir do 25�� dia, em rela����o ao seu valor basal (109,24���� 10,3) e em rela����o ao controle (108,75���� 8,3). O grau de claudica����o aumentou significativamente (P<0,05) durante o per��odo do estudo, com valor m��dio do escore de 1,5 para o membro operado em rela����o ao membro contralateral. em conclus��o, os sinais iniciais da OA cirurgicamente induzida foram melhor e mais precocemente detectados pela ultra-sonografia quando comparado ao exame radiografico. As mensura����es da circunfer��ncia articular e da amplitude do movimento articular s��o ��teis na avalia����o das doen��as articulares.

Tontura em idosos institucionalizados da cidade do NATAL/RN: Um estudo caso-controle em vestibulopatas e n��o-vestibulopatas

the institutionalized elderly presents for being more fragile a lot of body balance s changes, which can induce falls and health frailty. One of the consequences of it is the appearance of dizziness, vestibular or not. This study aims to identify the risk factors related to dizziness in institutionalized elderly, with and without vestibular disorders, in the city of Natal-RN. Method: a case-control study realized in 12 regulated by Health Surveillance Long Term Care Institutions for the elderly in Natal-RN. Elected seniors with good cognitive level and able to walk, totaling 115 individuals, and of these, 102 were selected according to the presence of dizziness in the last year (n = 51) and their controls (n = 51), paired by sex and age. The 51 elderly patients with dizziness were divided into 3 groups case: case one, for elderly with dizziness and without vestibulopathy (n=38); case two, for elderly with dizziness and vestibulopathy (n=13) and case three, for all the seniors with dizziness, or added to the case 1 case 2 (n=51). The 51 seniors who served as controls were also divided into three groups, according to the number of individuals of each case: control 1, n = 38, control 2, n = 13 control and 3 (sum of 1 control with control 2), n = 51. As possible risk factors were analyzed variables related to characteristics of the institution, to the habits of life of older people and those concerned with the health of the elderly. For statistical analysis, we used the chi-square or Fisher exact test for a significance level of 5% and calculating the association magnitude between variables by measuring the Odds Ratio. Results: as risk factors for dizziness without vestibular disorders were found the presence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as the presence of three or more disorders for elderly and use of gastric protector drugs. For the elderly group from case two were found no associated risk factor. For elderly patients with dizziness in the case group three, we observed the same risk factors found for the elderly in the case group one, plus the presence of osteoarthritis pathology, which was also significant for this group. Conclusion: dizziness in institutionalized elderly is associated with systemic common diseases in this age group and the vestibulopathy presents itself as pathology on an isolated way, not being possible, with our data, associate it with non-risk factors

Reconstru����o do ligamento cruzado cranial em c��es, associado ou n��o ao sulfato de condroitina

Avaliou-se o efeito da reconstru����o do ligamento cruzado cranial, associado ou n��o ao sulfato de condroitina, na evolu����o da osteoartrite induzida experimentalmente em c��es. Vinte c��es h��gidos, sem ra��a definida, machos e f��meas, com peso corp��reo entre 19 e 25kg, foram submetidos �� desmotomia do ligamento cruzado cranial. Trinta dias ap��s, foram separados em dois grupos de 10 animais. Um grupo foi submetido �� reconstru����o do ligamento cruzado com uso de aloenxerto de ligamento patelar congelado, o outro n��o. Trinta e um dias ap��s a desmotomia, cada grupo foi dividido em dois subgrupos de cinco animais. Um recebeu sulfato de condroitina, o outro n��o. Os c��es foram avaliados cl��nica e radiograficamente antes da desmotomia e aos 30, 60 e 90 dias ap��s a desmotomia. No ��ltimo momento foram realizados exames macro e microsc��pico. Nos c��es submetidos somente �� desmotomia e tratados com sulfato de condroitina houve redu����o na progress��o das altera����es ��sseas, ao exame radiogr��fico. A reconstru����o do ligamento cruzado cranial melhorou a fun����o do membro e, quando associada ao sulfato de condroitina, houve melhor resposta. N��o houve diferen��a entre os subgrupos quanto aos exames macro e microsc��pico.

Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at 0.5 Tesla of mechanically inducedosteoarthritis in rabbit knees

In the present experimental study we assessed induced osteoarthritis data in rabbits, compared three diagnostic methods, i.e., radiography (XR), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and correlated the imaging findings with those obtained by macroscopic evaluation. Ten young female rabbits of the Norfolk breed were used. Seven rabbits had the right knee immobilized in extension for a period of 12 weeks (immobilized group), and three others did not have a limb immobilized and were maintained under the same conditions (control group). Alterations observed by XR, CT and MRI after the period of immobilization were osteophytes, osteochondral lesions, increase and decrease of joint space, all of them present both in the immobilized and non-immobilized contralateral limbs. However, a significantly higher score was obtained for the immobilized limbs (XT: P = 0.016, CT: P = 0.031, MRI: P = 0.0156). All imaging methods were able to detect osteoarthritis changes after the 12 weeks of immobilization. Macroscopic evaluation identified increased thickening of joint capsule, proliferative and connective tissue in the femoropatellar joint, and irregularities of articular cartilage, especially in immobilized knees. The differences among XR, CT and MRI were not statistically significant for the immobilized knees. However, MRI using a 0.5 Tesla scanner was statistically different from CT and XR for the non-immobilized contralateral knees. We conclude that the three methods detected osteoarthritis lesions in rabbit knees, but MRI was less sensitive than XR and CT in detecting lesions compatible with initial osteoarthritis. Since none of the techniques revealed all the lesions, it is important to use all methods to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Radiographic Abnormalities in Barrel Racing Horses with Lameness Referable to the Metacarpophalangeal Joint

Barrel racing is one of the most popular uses of the American Quarter horse in North and South America. Although injury to the metacarpophalangeal joint frequently occurs in this sport, there is limited information describing the nature of these injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the most common radiographic abnormalities in barrel racing horses with lameness referable to the metacarpophalangeal joint. lameness examinations were performed on 63 barrel racing horses. Those found to be lame were subjected to radiographic examination. Lameness at trot was scored on a scale of 0-5 (0 = sound; 5 = inability to move). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. of horses examined, 30 (47.6%) were lame with scores ranging from 1 to 4. Half of the lame horses (15 of 30) had grade 2 lameness of the right forelimb. Abnormal radiographic findings were more often present on the left forelimb and included signs of sesamoiditis (70%), villonodular synovitis (56.6%), osteoarthritis (36.6%), osteochondritis dissecans (13.3%), capsulitis (13.3%), and soft-tissue swelling (6.6%). Radiographic abnormalities indicated that sesamoiditis, villonodular synovitis, and osteoarthritis may be associated to mild-to-moderate lameness in barrel racing horses. Complementary sonographic evaluation is recommended to better characterize soft-tissue abnormalities. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Par��metros do controle postural em mulheres idosas com ou sem hist��rico de quedas associadas ou n��o �� osteoartrite de joelhos

OBJETIVOS: Comparar par��metros estabilom��tricos de mulheres idosas com ou sem hist��rico de quedas associadas ou n��o �� osteoartrite (OA) de joelhos. M��TODOS: Cinquenta e seis idosas apresentando ou n��o hist��rico de quedas (Q) e OA de joelho unilateral e bilateral foram distribu��das da seguinte maneira: grupo QOA (n = 10), idosas com hist��rico de queda e OA de joelho; grupo QSOA (n = 11), idosas com hist��rico de queda e sem OA de joelho; grupo SQOA (n = 14), idosas sem hist��rico de quedas (SQ) e com OA de joelho; e grupo SQSOA (n = 21), idosas sem hist��rico de quedas e sem OA de joelho. Para an��lise do equil��brio semiest��tico usando uma plataforma de for��a, foram avaliados os deslocamentos anteroposterior (DAP) e mediolateral (DML), as velocidades de oscila����o anteroposterior (VAP) e mediolateral (VML) em quatro situa����es na postura ereta. As situa����es avaliadas foram as seguintes: 1) PFOA: sobre superf��cie fixa e olhos abertos; 2) PFOF: sobre superf��cie fixa e olhos fechados; 3) PIOA: sobre superf��cie inst��vel e olhos abertos; 4) PIOF: sobre superf��cie inst��vel e os olhos fechados. RESULTADOS: As idosas com OA de joelho apresentaram maior DAP em todas as situa����es analisadas (P < 0,05), ao passo que idosas com hist��rico de quedas apresentaram maior DML (P < 0,05). N��o houve diferen��as entre os grupos para VAP e VML (P > 0,05). CONCLUS��ES: A OA de joelho, por si, �� um fator prejudicial no aumento de oscila����o do centro de press��o (COP) na dire����o anteroposterior, enquanto o hist��rico de quedas, independente da presen��a de OA de joelhos, traz preju��zos ao controle postural na dire����o mediolateral.

RADIOGRAFIA E MACROSCOPIA do JOELHO AP��S ESTABILIZA����O EXTRA-ARTICULAR UTILIZANDO F��SCIA LATA, FIO DE POLI��STER TRAN��ADO OU FIO DE POLIAMIDA PARA CORRE����O da RUPTURA do LIGAMENTO CRUZADO CRANIAL em C��ES

A ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial �� uma das principais doen��as ortop��dicas que afetam os c��es. Muitas t��cnicas cir��rgicas foram descritas no intuito de aliviar a dor, restaurar a estabilidade biomec��nica do joelho e prevenir a progress��o da osteoartrite. F��scia lata, fio de poli��ster tran��ado e fio de poliamida foram empregados na estabiliza����o do joelho ap��s excis��o do ligamento cruzado cranial em c��es, os quais foram submetidos �� avalia����o radiogr��fica e macrosc��pica da articula����o. Neste estudo, foram utilizados 18 c��es com massa corporal superior a 15Kg (peso m��dio - 19,67kg), separados em 3 grupos eq��itativos correspondentes a cada t��cnica, avaliados durante 30 e 60 dias. Ao exame radiogr��fico, independentemente de grupo, os c��es apresentaram evid��ncia de efus��o articular moderada a severa, distens��o da c��psula articular e, na maioria dos casos, aus��ncia de sinais de doen��a articular degenerativa. Ao exame macrosc��pico da articula����o do joelho observou-se espessamento da c��psula articular e tecidos moles periarticulares, eros��o da cartilagem articular dos c��ndilos femorais em todos os grupos e afrouxamento dos fios nos c��es submetidos ��s t��cnicas de estabiliza����o extra-articular com fio de poli��ster tran��ado e fio de poliamida.

Artrodese do carpo em gatos associada �� hidroxiapatita

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Atividade f��sica e sua associa����o com qualidade de vida em pacientes com osteoartrite

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e sua associa����o com a atividade f��sica nos diferentes contextos da vida di��ria de pacientes com osteoartrite (OA) encaminhados pelas unidades b��sicas de sa��de para um servi��o universit��rio. M��TODOS: Estudo transversal, s��rie de casos, em que a atividade f��sica foi avaliada pelo International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) e a qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelos question��rios Medical Outcomes Study 36 Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) e Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN). Para verifica����o da intensidade da dor, utilizou-se tamb��m a Escala Visual Anal��gica (EVA). RESULTADOS: Foram inclu��dos 100 pacientes (92 mulheres e oito homens), com m��dia de idade de 59,9 �� 9,4 anos. As articula����es mais comprometidas foram joelhos e m��os. Dez pacientes tinham comprometimento de uma ��nica articula����o, 69 de duas, oito de tr��s e 13 de quatro. O IPAQ demonstrou que 70 pacientes eram ativos ou muito ativos e 30 eram insuficientemente ativos ou sedent��rios. A atividade f��sica associou-se positivamente aos dom��nios do SF-36, que avaliam a sa��de f��sica (capacidade funcional, aspectos f��sicos, dor, estado geral da sa��de). Houve associa����o entre atividade f��sica e qualidade de vida quando avaliada pelo WOMAC, e quanto mais intensa a dor, pior a qualidade de vida. CONCLUS��O: Nessa popula����o, a maioria dos pacientes apresenta piora dos aspectos f��sicos da qualidade de vida, mas mant��m as atividades f��sicas cotidianas.

Thermography and ultrasonography in back pain diagnosis of equine athletes

The object of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of thermography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar lesions in Quarter Horse athletes and associate the different types of lesions found with the athletic modality practiced. Twenty-four horses were admitted to the Surgery Service for Large Animals of the Veterinary and Animal Science Faculty, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil, with complaints of back problems. All the horses were submitted for physical examinations to confirm the existence of thoracolumbar alterations and then for thermography and ultrasonography Thermography was used to map the lesioned areas of this region and ultrasonography for lesion characterization. The lesions found were supraspinous desmitis, interspinous desmitis, dorsal intervertebral osteoarthritis, and impingement of the spinous processes or kissing spines. The existence of a relation between the type of event practiced by the horse and the type of lesion found was determined. In horses that competed in the barrel race, a predominance of lesions in the thoracic caudal, thoracolumbar, and cranial lumbar regions occurred, with intervertebral osteoarthritis and interspinous desmitis being the most common. In cutting horses, most of the lesions were observed in the caudal lumbar region, whereas horses competing in reining showed a preferential location for lesions in the middle lumbar, with a predominance of supraspinous desmitis and myositis. Thermography associated with ultrasonography was shown to be efficient in the diagnosis of the thoracolumbar lesions of these horses.

MKK3/6-p38 MAPK negatively regulates murine MMP-13 gene expression induced by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in immortalized periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Matrix metalloprotease-13 (MMP-13) or collagenase-3 is involved in a number of pathologic processes such as tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases. These conditions are associated with extensive degradation of both connective tissue and bone. This report examines gene regulation mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in Mmp-13 expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines in periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. Mmp-13 mRNA expression was increased 10.7 and 9.5 fold after stimulation with IL-1 beta (5 ng/mL) and TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL), respectively. However, inhibition of p38 MAPKinase with SB203580 resulted in significant (p < 0.001) induction (23.2 and 18.1 fold, respectively) of Mmp-13 mRNA as assessed by real time PCR. Negative regulation of IL-1 induced Mmp-13 expression was confirmed by inhibiting p38 MAPK gene expression with siRNA. Transient transfection of dominant negative forms of MKK3 and MKK6 also resulted in increased levels of Mmp-13 mRNA after IL-1 beta stimulation. Mmp-13 mRNA expression induced by TNF-alpha was decreased by JNK and ERK inhibition. Western blot and zymogram analysis indicated that Mmp-13 protein expression induced by the proinflammatory cytokines were also upregulated by inhibition of p38 MAPK. Reporter gene experiments using stable cell lines harboring 660-bp sequence of the murine Mmp-13 proximal promoter indicated that transcriptional mechanisms were at least partially involved in this negative regulation of Mmp-13 expression by p38 MAPK and upstream MKK3/6. These results suggest a negative transcriptional regulatory mechanism mediated by p38 MAPK and upstream MKK3/6 on Mmp-13 expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines in PDL fibroblasts. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V./International Society of Matrix Biology. All rights reserved.

Transcriptional activation of MMP-13 by periodontal pathogenic LPS requires p38 MAP kinase

Matrix metal loprotease-13 (MMP-13) is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased expression is associated with a number of pathological conditions such as tumor metastasis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases. MMP-13 gene regulation and the signal transduction pathways activated in response to bacterial LPS are largely unknown. In these studies, the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the regulation of MMP-13 induced by lipopolysaccharide was investigated. Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans significantly (P < 0.05) increased MMP-13 steady-state mRNA (average of 27% and 46% increase, respectively) in murine periodontal ligament fibroblasts. MMP-13 mRNA induction was significantly reduced by inhibition of p38 MAP kinase. Immunoblot analysis indicated that p38 signaling was required for LPS-induced MMP-13 expression. Lipopolysaccharide induced proximal promoter reporter (-660/+32 mMMP-13) gene activity required p38 signaling. Collectively, these results indicate that lipopolysaccharide-induced murine MMP-13 is regulated by p38 signaling through a transcriptional mechanism.

Acupuntura e implante de fragmentos de ouro em pontos de acupuntura e pontos Acupuntura e implante de fragmentos de ouro em pontos de acupuntura e pontos gatilho para o tratamento de displasia coxo-femoral em Pastor Alem��o

Background: Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is characterized by hip joint laxity and subluxation. It is the most common cause of osteoarthritis in dogs, especially in larger breeds. Its management includes nutritional supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, acupuncture or surgical procedures. Implantation of gold beads in acupuncture points and trigger points around a joint has been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs for at least 30 years. Gold bead implants(GBI) acts as continuous acupuncture stimulation and trigger point treatment in canine HD with long lasting results. Electrophysiological investigations of trigger points reveal dysfunctional muscle spindles which indicate that the electrical activity of active loci arises from extrafusal motor endplates.Case: This is a report on the use of acupuncture and GBI for bilateral HD in a nine year old female German Shepherd. The patient has a HD non-responsive to anti-inflammatory drugs and was unable to stand up or walk by its own. Radiographs showed marked dysplasia, significant subluxation with the femoral head partly out of a shallow acetabulum and massive secondary arthritic bone changes, mainly on the right side. The animal was submitted to eight acupuncture sessions with seven days interval. After the first acupuncture session the use of NSAID was interrupted. After eight weeks the dog was considered rehabilitated and underwent GBI in acupoints and trigger points as maintenance treatment. During the one-year follow-up period the improvement remained unchanged with no need of analgesics.Discussion: It has been suggested that acupuncture or GBI can treat the chronic pain resulting from osteoarthritis induced by HD. According to AP theory, GBI is permanent and long-lasting acupoint stimulation. Moreover, the method is inexpensive, quick and easy to perform, with no postoperative pain or need of exercise restriction. Although gold is extremely corrosion-resistant, the surface of the gold implants stimulates a reaction from the immune system causing an oxidative liberation of gold ions with anti-inflammatory actions. It is well known that gold ions are effective inhibitors of the respiratory burst of neutrophils and monocytes and the proliferation of lymphocytes. These findings suggest that gold implantation, on a local scale, mimics the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect of drugs with chemically bound gold ions. The relatively slow speed of the process results in a limited liberation of gold ions securing that they are taken up almost exclusively by cells close to the implant. The nine year old female German shepherd had a positive response to acupuncture with pain relieve and locomotor rehabilitation. For the nine year old female German shepherd previous acupuncture sessions to GBI resulted in no post-implant worsening period. Indeed, the association acupuncture/GBI does not have the anti-inflammatory drugs undesirable effects and brings long lasting results. In conclusion, GBI therefore should be considered for canine HD when conservative or medical treatments fail to give the desired effect.