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Vlachogiannis NI, Verrou KM, Yavropoulou MP, Tektonidou M, Chrousos GP, Sfikakis PP. Synovial expression of glucocorticoid receptor parallels fibroblast activation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Eur J Clin Invest 2024:e14298. [PMID: 39105347 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypocortisolemia is associated with increased expression of NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor, GR) in blood cells. As endogenous cortisol production is decreased in some RA patients, we tested the hypothesis that GR may be aberrantly expressed in rheumatoid synovium. METHODS We defined the cellular pattern of NR3C1 synovial expression using human and mouse single-cell RNA-sequencing data. Bulk synovial RNA-sequencing data from early (n = 57) or established (n = 94) RA were compared to osteoarthritis (n = 22) and healthy synovium (n = 28). RESULTS GR was expressed in all synovial cell types in both human and experimental arthritis. GR synovial expression, as well as 11β-HSD1/11β-HSD2 enzyme ratio, were higher in RA than healthy and osteoarthritic tissue, regardless of disease duration or treatment. Given that GR expression varied across samples, we searched for differences between RA patients with higher versus lower GR expression. Indeed, the synovial transcriptome of RA patients with high versus low GR expression (1st quartile, 30,517 ± 4876 vs. 4th quartile, 19,382 ± 2523 normalized counts) was enriched for proinflammatory gene-sets, including 'inflammatory response', 'IFN-γ response' and 'IL6/JAK/STAT3 signalling'. High synovial GR expression was also associated with increased JAK2 and PTPRK expression, denoting activation of the proinflammatory sublining fibroblasts. In contrast, low GR expression was associated with increased COMP and COL6A2 expression, denoting a resting synovial state. CONCLUSIONS GR is overexpressed in the synovium of some RA patients in association with proinflammatory gene expression and activated sublining fibroblast status. Further studies should examine whether GR overexpression may act as a compensatory mechanism sensitizing synovial tissue to glucocorticoid action in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos I Vlachogiannis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Kleio-Maria Verrou
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
- Centre of New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine (CNBPM), School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria P Yavropoulou
- Endocrinology Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tektonidou
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
- Centre of New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine (CNBPM), School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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2
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Antonelli M, Fasano F, Veronesi L, Donelli D, Vitale M, Pasquarella C. Balneotherapy and cortisol levels: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00484-024-02721-6. [PMID: 38884799 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-024-02721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The main objective of this review is to examine the impact of balneotherapy on serum and salivary cortisol concentrations. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, and Google Scholar. The databases were screened from inception up until April 2024. After screening the scientific literature, 845 articles were retrieved and 17 studies, involving a total of 765 participants, were eventually included in the review. Among them, four were randomized controlled trials, five were non-randomized studies, and eight were pre-post studies with no control group. The evidence gathered in this review indicates a significant short-term reduction in cortisol levels in healthy individuals undergoing balneotherapy, particularly those experiencing high levels of stress. Conversely, in patients with rheumatic conditions (especially if elderly), increases in cortisol levels induced by balneotherapy can act as beneficial hormetic stress, reducing inflammatory mediators and improving pain and functional quality of life. The meta-analysis shows an overall trend of reduction in stress hormone levels, more pronounced in the intervention group undergoing mud-balneotherapy compared to the control group, a finding that, however, does not reach statistical significance (g=-0.11 [95% CI: -0.30; 0.08]; p > 0.05). Current scientific evidence demonstrates that balneotherapy has a positive impact on the regulation of cortisol levels. The regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the beneficial effects observed on health parameters and quality of life allow mud-balneotherapy to be classified as eustressful stimuli useful in preventing stress-related pathologies in healthy individuals and in alleviating symptoms in patients with chronic conditions. Future research on the topic is advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Antonelli
- Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Via Giovanni Amendola 2, Reggio Emilia, 42122, Italy.
| | - Federica Fasano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Licia Veronesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Davide Donelli
- Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Vitale
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Italian Foundation for Scientific Research in Balneology (FoRST), Rome, Italy
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Tanaka Y, Ikeda K, Kaneko Y, Ishiguro N, Takeuchi T. Why does malaise/fatigue occur? Underlying mechanisms and potential relevance to treatments in rheumatoid arthritis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:485-499. [PMID: 38224064 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2306220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fatigue and malaise are commonly associated with a wide range of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Evidence suggests that fatigue and malaise can be overwhelming for patients, yet these symptoms remain inadequately-managed, largely due to an incomplete elucidation of the underlying causes. AREAS COVERED In this assessment of the published literature relating to the pathogenesis of fatigue or malaise in chronic conditions, four key mechanistic themes were identified. Each theme (inflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, dysautonomia, and monoamines) is discussed, as well as the complex network of interconnections between themes which suggests a key role for inflammatory cytokines in the development and persistence of fatigue. EXPERT OPINION Fatigue is multifaceted, poorly defined, and imperfectly comprehended. Moreover, the cause and severity of fatigue may change over time, as a consequence of the natural disease course or pharmacologic treatment. This detailed synthesis of available evidence permits us to identify avenues for current treatment optimization and future research, to improve the management of fatigue and malaise in RA. Within the development pipeline, several new anti-inflammatory therapies are currently under investigation, and we anticipate that the next five years will herald much-needed progress to reduce the debilitating nature of fatigue in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kei Ikeda
- Department of Rheumatology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuko Kaneko
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Yavropoulou MP, Filippa MG, Vlachogiannis NI, Fragoulis GE, Laskari K, Mantzou A, Panopoulos S, Fanouriakis A, Bournia VK, Evangelatos G, Papapanagiotou A, Tektonidou MG, Chrousos GP, Sfikakis PP. Diurnal production of cortisol and prediction of treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis: a 6-month, real-life prospective cohort study. RMD Open 2024; 10:e003575. [PMID: 38233075 PMCID: PMC10806498 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A reduced adrenal reserve-associated cortisol production relative to the enhanced needs of chronic inflammation (disproportion principle) has been observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined the possible clinical value of diurnal cortisol measurements in active RA on treatment response prediction. METHODS Diurnal cortisol production (measured at: 08-12:00/18:00-22:00) was assessed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in 28 consecutive patients with moderately/highly active RA, as well as 3 and 6 months after treatment initiation or/escalation. Twenty-eight COVID-19 patients and 28 age-matched healthy individuals (HC) served as controls. RESULTS Saliva diurnal cortisol production in patients with RA was similar to that of HC, despite 12-fold higher serum C reactive protein (CRP) levels, and lower than COVID-19 patients (area under the curve: RA: 87.0±37.6 vs COVID-19: 146.7±14.3, p<0.001), having similarly high CRP. Moreover, a disturbed circadian cortisol rhythm at baseline was evident in 15 of 28 of patients with RA vs 4 of 28 and 20 of 28 of HC and COVID-19 patients, respectively. Treatment-induced minimal disease activity (MDA) at 6 months was achieved by 16 of 28 patients. Despite comparable demographics and clinical characteristics at baseline, non-MDA patients had lower baseline morning cortisol and higher adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels compared with patients on MDA (cortisol: 10.9±4.0 vs 18.4±8.2 nmol/L, respectively, p=0.005 and ACTH: 4.8±3.3 vs 2.4±0.4 pmol/L, respectively, p=0.047). Baseline morning cortisol <13.9 nmol/L predicted non-MDA at 6 months (75% sensitivity, 92% specificity, p=0.006). Prospective measurements revealed that individualised diurnal cortisol production remained largely unchanged from baseline to 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS An impaired adrenal reserve is present in patients with RA. Further studies to confirm that assessment of diurnal cortisol production may be useful in guiding treatment decisions and/or predicting treatment response in RA are warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05671627.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Yavropoulou
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria G Filippa
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos I Vlachogiannis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George E Fragoulis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow School of Medicine, Glasgow, UK
| | - Katerina Laskari
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Mantzou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stylianos Panopoulos
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Fanouriakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki-Kalliopi Bournia
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Evangelatos
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Papapanagiotou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria G Tektonidou
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine and Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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5
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Irwin MR, Straub RH, Smith MT. Heat of the night: sleep disturbance activates inflammatory mechanisms and induces pain in rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:545-559. [PMID: 37488298 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00997-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Sleep has a homeostatic role in the regulation of the immune system and serves to constrain activation of inflammatory signalling and expression of cellular inflammation. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a misaligned inflammatory profile induces a dysregulation of sleep-wake activity, which leads to excessive inflammation and the induction of increased sensitivity to pain. Given that multiple biological mechanisms contribute to sleep disturbances (such as insomnia), and that the central nervous system communicates with the innate immune system via neuroendocrine and neural effector pathways, potential exists to develop prevention opportunities to mitigate the risk of insomnia in RA. Furthermore, understanding these risk mechanisms might inform additional insomnia treatment strategies directed towards steering and reducing the magnitude of the inflammatory response, which together could influence outcomes of pain and disease activity in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Irwin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Rainer H Straub
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Neuroendocrine Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael T Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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6
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Drafi F, Bauerova K, Chrastina M, Taghdisiesfejír M, Rocha J, Direito R, Figueira ME, Sepodes B, Ponist S. Rhodiola rosea L. Extract, a Known Adaptogen, Evaluated in Experimental Arthritis. Molecules 2023; 28:5053. [PMID: 37446715 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhodiola rosea L. extract (RSE) is mostly known for its adaptogen properties, but not for its antiarthritic activities, therefore monotherapy and combination with low-dose methotrexate (MTX) was studied. The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was used to measure the functional score, and the change in hind paw volume (HPV). Both parameters had significant antiarthritic effects. Based on these preliminary results, an adjuvant arthritis (AA) model was further applied to assess another parameters. The experiment included these animal groups: healthy controls, untreated AA, AA administered with RSE (150 mg/kg b.w. daily, p.o.), AA administered by MTX (0.3 mg/kg b.w. twice a week, p.o.), and AA treated with the combination of RSE+MTX. The combination of RSE+MTX significantly reduced the HPV and increased the body weight. The combination significantly decreased HPV when compared to MTX monotherapy. The plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-17A, MMP-9 and CRP) were significantly decreased by MTX+RSE treatment. The RSE monotherapy didn't influence any of the inflammatory parameters studied. In CIA, the RSE monotherapy significantly decreased the arthritic parameters studied. In summary, the combination of RSE and sub-therapeutic MTX was significantly effective in AA by improving inflammatory and arthritic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Drafi
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Bauerova
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Chrastina
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Malá Hora 10701/4A, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Mohsen Taghdisiesfejír
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - João Rocha
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines of the University of Lisbon (iMED.ULisboa), Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rosa Direito
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines of the University of Lisbon (iMED.ULisboa), Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Eduardo Figueira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines of the University of Lisbon (iMED.ULisboa), Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sepodes
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical and Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines of the University of Lisbon (iMED.ULisboa), Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Silvester Ponist
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre of Experimental Medicine SAS, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
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7
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Yavropoulou MP, Tsokos GC, Chrousos GP, Sfikakis PP. Protracted stress-induced hypocortisolemia may account for the clinical and immune manifestations of Long COVID. Clin Immunol 2022; 245:109133. [PMID: 36182048 PMCID: PMC9519365 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
About one out of eight people to convalesce from COVID-19 suffer from the so called Long COVID, a syndrome of non-specific symptoms with unclear pathogenesis. In a recent study published in Cell Long COVID participants reporting respiratory symptoms had low cortisol levels. In an as yet unpublished analysis from Yale University low plasma cortisol levels discriminated Long COVID from asymptomatic convalescent or healthy non-infected controls. Although various immune perturbations were present in Long COVID, low levels of cortisol were prominent and strikingly, depression and anxiety were increased. It has become clear that Long COVID features may be similar to those described in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, post-SARS sickness syndrome, and various chronic stress syndromes which have been linked to hypocortisolemia. Notably, lack of response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to hypocortisolemia shows a suppressed axis in Long COVID. We suggest that the inability of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to recover after the acute illness, perhaps due to protracted stress in predisposed individuals, may represent the pathogenetic basis of the Long COVID-associated clinical and immunological manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Yavropoulou
- 1(st) Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George C Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- 1(st) Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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Wang Y, Zhang D, Jia M, Zheng X, Liu Y, Wang C, Lei F, Niu H, Chunhong L. ZIF-8 nanoparticles coated with macrophage-derived microvesicles for sustained, targeted delivery of dexamethasone to arthritic joints. J Drug Target 2022; 30:1006-1016. [PMID: 35549591 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2077949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex) is widely used in the clinic for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it circulates in blood for a short time and it is linked to high risk of severe side effects caused by repeated dosing. Here, we encapsulated Dex onto zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to prepare metal-organic framework nanoparticles with high drug loading efficiency. To prevent clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system and extend time in circulation, the nanoparticles were also camouflaged with macrophage-derived microvesicles (MV) to obtain the biomimetic drug delivery system MV/Dex/ZIF-8. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the nanosystem had high drug loading and encapsulation efficiency, high stability, and long circulation time, and it permitted sustained drug release longer in inflamed joint tissues. Our study provides new insights into designing camouflaged drug carriers to prevent their phagocytosis and prolong their time in circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Ming Jia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiu Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Chenglong Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Fenting Lei
- Analysis and Testing Center, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Hong Niu
- Department of Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Li Chunhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China
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9
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Yavropoulou MP, Filippa MG, Mantzou A, Ntziora F, Mylona M, Tektonidou MG, Vlachogiannis NI, Paraskevis D, Kaltsas GA, Chrousos GP, Sfikakis PP. Alterations in cortisol and interleukin-6 secretion in patients with COVID-19 suggestive of neuroendocrine-immune adaptations. Endocrine 2022; 75:317-327. [PMID: 35043384 PMCID: PMC8765492 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02968-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The beneficial effect of glucocorticoids in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is established, but whether adrenal cortisol secretion is impaired in COVID-19 is not fully elucidated. In this case-control study, we investigated the diurnal free bioavailable salivary cortisol secretion in COVID-19 patients. METHODS Fifty-two consecutive COVID-19 patients-before dexamethasone treatment in cases required-recruited between April 15 to June 15, 2021, (NCT04988269) at Laikon Athens University-Hospital, and 33 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were included. Diurnal salivary cortisol (8 a.m., 12, 6, and 10 p.m.), plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and aldosterone, and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed. Diurnal salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and IL-6 were also assessed in subgroups of patients. RESULTS Median CRP and IL-6 measurements were about sixfold higher in patients than controls (both p < 0.001) Morning salivary cortisol levels did not differ between the two groups, but patients exhibited higher median levels of evening and nocturnal salivary cortisol compared to controls [0.391 (0.054, 0663) vs. 0.081 (0.054, 0.243) μg/dl, p < 0.001 and 0.183 (0.090, 0.834) vs. 0.054 (0.054, 0.332) μg/dl, p < 0.001, respectively], resulting in higher time-integrated area under the curve (AUC) (4.81 ± 2.46 vs. 2.75 ± 0.810, respectively, p < 0.001). Circulating ACTH, DHEA, and aldosterone levels were similar in patients and controls. Serum IL-6, but not ACTH levels, was strongly correlated with nocturnal cortisol salivary levels (ρ = 0.555, p < 0.001) in patients. CONCLUSIONS Increased evening and nocturnal but not morning cortisol secretion may occur in even clinically mild COVID-19. In the context of acute viral infection (COVID-19), IL-6 may partially replace ACTH as a stimulus of the glucocorticoid-secreting adrenal zona-fasciculata without influencing the secretion of DHEA and aldosterone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04988269?term=yavropoulou&draw=2&rank=3 (NCT04988269).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Yavropoulou
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece.
| | - Maria G Filippa
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Mantzou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotinie Ntziora
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Mylona
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria G Tektonidou
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos I Vlachogiannis
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory A Kaltsas
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
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Chronobiology and Chronotherapy in Inflammatory Joint Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111832. [PMID: 34834246 PMCID: PMC8621834 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythm perturbations can impact the evolution of different conditions, including autoimmune diseases. This narrative review summarizes the current understanding of circadian biology in inflammatory joint diseases and discusses the potential application of chronotherapy. Proinflammatory cytokines are key players in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), regulating cell survival/apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation. The production and secretion of inflammatory cytokines show a dependence on the human day–night cycle, resulting in changing cytokine plasma levels over 24 h. Moreover, beyond the circadian rhythm of cytokine secretion, disturbances in timekeeping mechanisms have been proposed in RA. Taking into consideration chronotherapy concepts, modified-release (MR) prednisone tablets have been introduced to counteract the negative effects of night-time peaks of proinflammatory cytokines. Low-dose MR prednisone seems to be able to improve the course of RA, reduce morning stiffness and morning serum levels of IL-6, and induce significant clinical benefits. Additionally, methotrexate (MTX) chronotherapy has been reported to be associated with a significant improvement in RA activity score. Similar effects have been described for polymyalgia rheumatica and gout, although the available literature is still limited. Growing knowledge of chronobiology applied to inflammatory joint diseases could stimulate the development of new drug strategies to treat patients in accordance with biological rhythms and minimize side effects.
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