Endothelial injury in rheumatoid arthritis: a crosstalk between dimethylarginines and systemic inflammation

Analysis of potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis with comorbid depression immunologic indicators

OBJECTIVE

Depression can impact the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg cell subsets, and their associated cytokines (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), and the occurrence of RA both with and without comorbid depression. The objective is to identify potential biological markers, therapeutic targets, and the therapeutic effects of RA with comorbid depression.

RESULTS

53 RA patients,46 RA with comorbid depression patients and 51 healthy subjects were included in the RA,RD and HC group from August 2021 and October 2022. Among RA patients, 46.46 % were comorbid with depression. IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in RD group than in RA group.Comparison between the HC and RA and RD groups revealed that Th1 %, Th17 %, Th1, Th17, Th1/Th2, Th17/Treg and Th1/Treg were significantly higher in the RA and RD groups, and conversely, Th2 %, Treg%, Th2 and Treg were significantly lower than in the HC group.The RA group compared to the RD group found that Th17 %, Th17 and Th17/Treg were significantly higher in the RD group than in the RA group, however, Th1 %, Treg and Th2/Treg were significantly lower than in the RA group. The total HAMD score had a medium strength positive correlation with IL-6.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that elevated the autoimmunity status was overactivated in RA with or without depression activates patients, IL-6 may be a predictor of the severity of RA with comorbid depression, IL-6 concentrations and an imbalance in the Th17/Treg may underlie the comorbidity of RA and depression, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention, prompting further evaluation of the role of indirect inflammatory markers in RA with comorbid depression, highlighting the need for additional research to clarify the complex relationship between inflammation and psychological health.

Comparison of two methods for dimethylarginines quantification

Objectives

Both dimethylarginines are widely bound to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was focused to validate published LC-MS/MS method and compared the measured data with an immunoassay.

Design and methods

The analysis was performed on a Dionex UltiMate 3000 UHPLC-Standard (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) with an amaZon SL ion trap (Bruker, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA). Comparison was evaluated by using Passing Bablok regression and Bland Altman plot. Healthy volunteers (n = 40) were used for validation and as control group to patients group (n = 40) with different stages of CKD.

Results

The results in healthy controls determined by the LC-MS/MS (ELISA) method were 0.52 ± 0.0892 with 95 % CI: 0.49-0.55 (0.61 ± 0.1213 with 95 % CI: 0.57-0.64) μmol/L for AD MA and 0.56 ± 0.0810 with 95 % CI: 0.53-0.58 (0.62 ± 0.0752 with 95 % CI: 0.57-0.65) μmol/L for SDMA. In the same way, the patient group values determined by the LC-MS/MS (ELISA) method were 0.82 ± 0.1604 with 95 % CI: 0.75-0.88 (1.06 ± 0.3002 with 95 % CI: 0.94-1.19) μmol/L and 2.14 ± 0.8778 with 95 % CI: 1.47-2.58 (1.65 ± 0.5160 with 95 % CI: 1.40-1.98) μmol/L for ADMA and SDMA, respectively. The correlation between the methods, expressed as the Spearman correlation coefficient (R), was 0.858 (0.8059) for ADMA (p < 0.0001) and 0.895 (0.9607) for SDMA (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

ADMA levels determined by the immunoassay were almost 30 % overestimated, in contrast to SDMA levels, which were 3 % underestimated. According to our findings, a better correlation could be obtained by simple sample dilution.

The role of asymmetric dimethylarginine in endothelial dysfunction and abnormal nitric oxide metabolism in systemic sclerosis: results from a pilot study

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by generalized vasculopathy affecting mainly small vessels while macrovascular involvement is less investigated. The aim of this study was to examine associations between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) - a biomarker of atherosclerosis - and assessments of macrovascular endothelial function in patients with SSc.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including consecutive SSc patients attending the Scleroderma Outpatient Clinic. ADMA measurement in serum samples was based on an enzyme immunoassay technique. Participants underwent blood pressure measurement according to 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines, applanation tonometry for the evaluation of arterial stiffness, and carotid ultrasound for the measurement of the intima-media thickness (cIMT).

RESULTS

Eighty-one Caucasians (82.3% female) SSc individuals with mean age 55.44 ± 13.4 years were included in this analysis. The correlation analysis of ADMA levels (unadjusted and adjusted values) with functional and morphological parameters of atherosclerosis revealed no statistically significant associations. Subgroup analysis based on disease duration (≤ 4 years), immunologic profile (SCL-70 and ACA antibodies), disease type (limited, diffuse), and inflammatory status (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] > 25 mm/h and C-reactive protein [CRP] > 5 mg/L) showed no associations, except from a significant positive correlation between ADMA levels and cΙΜΤ_mean (r = 0.370, p = 0.044) in individuals with early SSc.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that ADMA may be related with accelerated atherosclerosis in early stages of the disease. However, the lack of association between other morphological and functional parameters of endothelial dysfunction may suggest that other regulators of nitric oxide metabolism may contribute to macrovascular injury in SSc in various phases of the disease. Key Points • ADMA is a biomarker of atherosclerosis and has been linked with microvascular complications of SSc. •ADMA was not correlated with morphological and functional parameters of atherosclerosis in the population of the study. •The demonstrated association between ADMA and cIMT in patients with early SSc may suggest a role of NO/ADMA pathway in the initiation of macrovascular injury in SSc.

Asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine gingival crevicular fluid levels in periodontitis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the level of ADMA (asymmetric dimethylarginine), SDMA (symmetric dimethylarginine), and IL-1β (Interleukin-1β) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from periodontitis patients and control subjects.

BACKGROUND

ADMA and SDMA are potentially hazardous non-proteinogenic amino acids that limit nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and have many functions in various human disorders. ADMA causes a structural change in nitric oxide synthase, while SDMA blocks arginine cell uptake. Increased plasma ADMA has been widely recognized as a "trigger" initiating impaired NO bioavailability and vascular dysfunction, which ultimately leads to oxidative stress.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with periodontitis (P) (Stage III, Grade C, n = 25) and 20 control (C) subjects were included in the study. The IL-1β level of GCF was measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and ADMA and SDMA by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Periodontitis patients had higher clinical parameters than controls (p < .001). Levels of IL-1β, ADMA and SDMA GCF were statistically significantly higher in group P than in group C (respectively; p = .003, p < .0001, p < .0001). There was no difference in the ADMA/SDMA ratio (p = .312) between the groups. There were significant positive correlations between clinical periodontal parameters and IL-1β, ADMA, and SDMA levels (p < .05). ADMA and SDMA levels were significantly correlated with IL-1β (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that ADMA and SDMA may be involved in the pathogenesis of the periodontal disease.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Accelerated Atherosclerosis, New Biomarkers, and the Effects of Biological Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the most common of the chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases (CIADs), is recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Traditional risk factors such as smoking, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity are frequently found in RA. Given the increased risk of mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in RA patients, screening for risk factors is important. Moreover, there is a need to identify potential predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that markers such as serum homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, or carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) are correlated with cardiovascular risk. Although RA presents a cardiovascular risk comparable to that of diabetes, it is not managed as well in terms of acute cardiovascular events. The introduction of biological therapy has opened new perspectives in the understanding of this pathology, confirming the involvement and importance of the inflammatory markers, cytokines, and the immune system. In addition to effects in inducing remission and slowing disease progression, most biologics have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events. Some studies have also been conducted in patients without RA, with similar results. However, early detection of atherosclerosis and the use of targeted therapies are the cornerstone for reducing cardiovascular risk in RA patients.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory condition of the synovial joints that affects approximately 1% of the global population. The pathogenesis of RA is predominantly inflammatory in nature, thereby accelerating the co-occurrence of other immunoinflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis. Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, RA patients possess a multitude of other factors that predispose them to early atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of premature atherosclerosis in RA patients and elucidate the role that proinflammatory cytokines, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction play in the pathophysiology of RA-mediated atherosclerosis. We also discussed novel biomarkers that can be used to predict early atherosclerosis in RA and current guidelines used to treat RA. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to select and analyze relevant articles. A literature search for articles was performed on February 25, 2022, through three research databases including PubMed, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect. The query used to identify relevant publications was "Rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis" and the search duration was set from 2012-2022. Relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Our initial search generated 21,235 articles. We narrowed our search according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessing eligibility based on the full content of the articles, 73 articles were ultimately chosen for this review. Conclusion: There is an increased prevalence of accelerated atherosclerosis among RA patients. We found evidence to explain the role of proinflammatory cytokines, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology RA-mediated atherosclerosis. Therapies targeting either the inflammatory load or traditional CV risk-factors seem to improve vascular outcomes in RA patients. Novel markers of atherosclerosis in RA may be useful in predicting premature atherosclerosis and serve as new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis with comorbid depression based on bioinformatics analysis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and depression are prevalent diseases that have a negative impact on the quality of life and place a significant economic burden on society. There is increasing evidence that the two diseases are closely related, which could make the disease outcomes worse. In this study, we aimed to identify diagnostic markers and analyzed the therapeutic potential of key genes.

Methods

We assessed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific for RA and Major depressive disorder (MDD) and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify co-expressed gene modules by obtaining the Gene expression profile data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. By using the STRING database, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructed and identified key genes. We also employed two types of machine learning techniques to derive diagnostic markers, which were assessed for their association with immune cells and potential therapeutic effects. Molecular docking and in vitro experiments were used to validate these analytical results.

Results

In total, 48 DEGs were identified in RA with comorbid MDD. The PPI network was combined with WGCNA to identify 26 key genes of RA with comorbid MDD. Machine learning-based methods indicated that RA combined with MDD is likely related to six diagnostic markers: AURKA, BTN3A2, CXCL10, ERAP2, MARCO, and PLA2G7. CXCL10 and MARCO are closely associated with diverse immune cells in RA. However, apart from PLA2G7, the expression levels of the other five genes were associated with the composition of the majority of immune cells in MDD. Molecular docking and in vitro studies have revealed that Aucubin (AU) exerts the therapeutic effect through the downregulation of CXCL10 and BTN3A2 gene expression in PC12 cells.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that six diagnostic markers were the basis of the comorbidity mechanism of RA and MDD and may also be potential therapeutic targets. Further mechanistic studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of RA and MDD may be able to identify new targets using these shared pathways.

Skin capillary alterations in patients with acute SarsCoV2 infection

BACKGROUND

Acute SarsCov2 infection is associated with endothelial dysfunction and 'endothelitis', which might explain systemic microvascular impairment. The presence of endothelial damage may promote vasoconstriction with organ ischemia, inflammation, tissue oedema and a procoagulant state resulting in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Microvascular thrombosis has been demonstrated in postmortem autopsy of COVID-19 patients; however, few data are available about skin capillary alterations in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated skin microvascular alteration in 22 patients admitted to our hospital with SarsCov2 infection. Capillary density was evaluated by capillaroscopy in the nailfold and the dorsum of the finger in the acute phase of the disease. Capillaroscopy was repeated after 3 months (recovery phase). In addition, blood chemistry parameters and inflammatory markers were obtained during acute infection and at the recovery after 3 months.

RESULTS

Patients with COVID-19 showed skin microvascular complications, such as thrombosis, microhaemorrhages and neoangiogenesis, which were not detected after 3 months from the discharge. A significant reduction of capillary density in the dorsum was observed after 3 months from the acute infection (97.2 ± 5.3 vs. 75.81 ± 3.9 n/mm 2P  < 0.05). A significant inverse correlation between C-reactive protein and capillary density was observed in patients with acute SarsCov2 infection ( r  = 0.44, P  < 0.05). Conversely a direct correlation between capillary density during the acute phase and lymphocyte number was detected ( r  = 0.49, P  < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This is the first in-vivo evidence of skin capillary thrombosis, microhaemorrhages and angiogenesis in patients with acute SarsCov2 infection, which disappeared after 3 months, supporting the presence of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Capillary alterations might reflect systemic vascular effects of viral infection.

Effects of tofacitinib therapy on arginine and methionine metabolites in association with vascular pathophysiology in rheumatoid arthritis: A metabolomic approach

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with changes in lipid, arginine and NO metabolism with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, on arginine and methionine metabolism in correlation with inflammation, functional and pathological vascular changes during one-year treatment of patients with RA.

Materials and methods

Thirty RA patients with active disease were treated with either 5 mg bid or 10 mg bid tofacitinib for 12 months. We determined DAS28, CRP, IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) levels. We assessed brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) by ultrasound at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. We also determined plasma L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-ornithine, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), L-N-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA), cysteine, homocysteine, and methionine levels at these time points.

Results

Twenty-six patients (13 on each arm) completed the study. CRP, ESR and DAS28 decreased significantly during one-year treatment with tofacitinib. Arginine and ADMA showed a negative univariate correlation with CRP but not with FMD, PWV or IMT. Tofacitinib at 10 mg bid significantly increased L-arginine, L-ornithine, iNOS and methionine levels after 12 months. ADMA and SDMA levels did not change in our study. Methionine showed negative correlation with FMD at baseline and positive correlation with PWV after 12 months. No change was observed in FMD and PWV but a significant increase was measured in IMT at 6 and 12 months. Multivariate analysis indicated variable correlations of L-arginine, L-citrulline, ADMA, L-NMMA, homocysteine and methionine with DAS28, CRP, ESR and RF but not with anti-CCP after one-year treatment. With respect to vascular pathophysiology, only PWV and methionine correlated with each other.

Conclusion

One-year tofacitinib treatment suppressed systemic inflammation and improved functional status in RA. FMD, PWV have not been affected by one-year tofacitinib treatment., while IMT increased further despite treatment. Increased arginine and methionine might contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of tofacitinib. Increased arginine availability with no changing ADMA may protect FMD and PWV from deterioration. The increase of IMT in the anti-inflammatory environment cannot be explained by arginine or methionine metabolism in this study.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory condition of the synovial joints that affects approximately 1% of the global population. The pathogenesis of RA is predominantly inflammatory in nature, thereby accelerating the co-occurrence of other immunoinflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis. Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, RA patients possess a multitude of other factors that predispose them to early atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of premature atherosclerosis in RA patients and elucidate the role that proinflammatory cytokines, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction play in the pathophysiology of RA-mediated atherosclerosis. We also discussed novel biomarkers that can be used to predict early atherosclerosis in RA and current guidelines used to treat RA. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to select and analyze relevant articles. A literature search for articles was performed on February 25, 2022, through three research databases including PubMed, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect. The query used to identify relevant publications was "Rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis" and the search duration was set from 2012-2022. Relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Our initial search generated 21,235 articles. We narrowed our search according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessing eligibility based on the full content of the articles, 73 articles were ultimately chosen for this review. Conclusion: There is an increased prevalence of accelerated atherosclerosis among RA patients. We found evidence to explain the role of proinflammatory cytokines, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology RA-mediated atherosclerosis. Therapies targeting either the inflammatory load or traditional CV risk-factors seem to improve vascular outcomes in RA patients. Novel markers of atherosclerosis in RA may be useful in predicting premature atherosclerosis and serve as new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Evaluation of salivary and serum methylated arginine metabolites and nitric oxide synthase in advanced periodontitis patients

OBJECTIVES

Methylated arginine metabolites and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) play a critical role in regulating endothelial function. The aim of this study was to determine levels of NOS, and methylated arginine metabolites (ADMA, SDMA, homoarginine, arginine, and L-NMMA) and IL-6 in serum and saliva in patients with advanced periodontal diseases and identify their association with clinical parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study consisted of two groups: healthy individuals (control: n = 24), and generalized Stage III Grade B periodontitis (P: n = 21). Clinical periodontal parameters (probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level) were recorded. IL 6 and NOS levels in saliva and serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ADMA, SDMA, homoArg, arginine, and L-NMMA in saliva and serum were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS).

RESULTS

Clinical parameters were significantly higher in the periodontitis group (p < 0.001). In periodontitis group, NOS, ADMA, and arginine levels in saliva were statistically significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of SDMA were statistically significantly lower, and IL-6 was statistically significantly higher in P group than C group (p < 0.05). ADMA, NOS, and arginine levels were significantly positive correlated with all clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that there is a relationship between severity of periodontal disease and endothelial dysfunction by means of ADMA. Salivary ADMA may be related with periodontal inflammation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

ADMA levels in periodontal inflammation are associated with endothelial dysfunction. According to the results of our study, periodontal inflammation is effective on both local and systemic methylated arginine metabolites and nitric oxide synthase levels. This may shed light on the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic status.

Monitoring and Managing Cardiovascular Risk in Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and it is predominately attributed to the interplay between chronic inflammation and traditional CVD risk factors. CVD has significant impact on the survival of patients with IMIDs as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite recommendations for monitoring and managing CVD in patients with IMIDs, the individual CVD risk assessment remains problematic as CVD risk calculators for the general population consistently underestimate the risk in patients with IMIDs. Application of new technologies utilizing artificial intelligence techniques have shown promising potential for tailoring predictive medicine to the individual patient, but further validation of their role in clinical decision-making is warranted. In the meantime, individuals with IMIDs should be encouraged to adopt behavioral interventions targeting at modifiable lifestyle CVD risk factors, whereas rheumatologists need to be well aware of the unfavorable effects of antirheumatic medication on various CVD risk factors and outcomes. In the current paper, we aim to provide an overview of current and emerging strategies for mitigating CVD risk in patients with IMIDs, based on a practical approach.

Ischemic Heart Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis-Two Conditions, the Same Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most frequent inflammatory rheumatic diseases, having a considerably increased prevalence of mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). RA patients have an augmented risk for ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease. Increased cardiovascular (CV) risk is related to disease activity and chronic inflammation. Traditional risk factors and RA-related characteristics participate in vascular involvement, inducing subclinical changes in coronary microcirculation. RA is considered an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial dysfunction is a precocious marker of atherosclerosis (ATS). Pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNFα, IL-1, and IL-6) play an important role in synovial inflammation and ATS progression. Therefore, targeting inflammation is essential to controlling RA and preventing CVD. Present guidelines emphasize the importance of disease control, but studies show that RA- treatment has a different influence on CV risk. Based on the excessive risk for CV events in RA, permanent evaluation of CVD in these patients is critical. CVD risk calculators, designed for the general population, do not use RA-related predictive determinants; also, new scores that take into account RA-derived factors have restricted validity, with none of them encompassing imaging modalities or specific biomarkers involved in RA activity.

Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases and Vascular Function: The Concept of Autoimmune Atherosclerosis

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) with unknown etiology are increasing in incidence and prevalence. Up to 5% of the population is affected. AIRDs include rheumatoid arthritis, system lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and Sjögren's syndrome. In patients with autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks structures of its own body, leading to widespread tissue and organ damage, which, in turn, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. One third of the mortality associated with autoimmune diseases is due to cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is considered the main underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases. Currently, because of finding macrophages and lymphocytes at the atheroma, atherosclerosis is considered a chronic immune-inflammatory disease. In active inflammation, the liberation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNFa), interleukine-6 (IL-6), IL-1 and other factors like T and B cells, play a major role in the atheroma formation. In addition, antioxidized, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) antibodies, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and rheumatoid factor (RF) are higher in the atherosclerotic patients. Traditional risk factors like gender, age, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, however, do not alone explain the risk of atherosclerosis present in autoimmune diseases. This review examines the role of chronic inflammation in the etiology-and progression-of atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In addition, discussed here in detail are the possible effects of autoimmune rheumatic diseases that can affect vascular function. We present here the current findings from studies that assessed vascular function changes using state-of-the-art techniques and innovative endothelial function biomarkers.

Metabolomics profiling predicts outcome of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis: an exploratory study

INTRODUCTION

To study metabolic signatures can be used to identify predictive biomarkers for a patient's therapeutic response.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the characterization of a patients' metabolic profile, utilizing one-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), may predict a response to tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

40 active RA patients meeting the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria initiating treatment with tocilizumab were recruited. Clinical outcomes were determined at baseline, and after six and twelve months of treatment. EULAR response criteria at 6 and 12 months to categorize patients as responders and non-responders. Blood was collected at baseline and after six months of tocilizumab therapy. ¹H-NMR was used to acquire a spectra of plasma samples. Chenomx NMR suite 8.5 was used for metabolite identification and quantification. SPSS v.27 and MetaboAnalyst 4.0 were used for statistical and pathway analysis.

RESULTS

Isobutyrate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, lysine, phenylalanine, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, tryptophan and tyrosine were significantly elevated in responders at the baseline. OPLS-DA at baseline partially discriminated between RA responders and non-responders. A multivariate diagnostic model showed that concentrations of 3-hydroxybutyrate and phenylalanine improved the ability to specifically predict responders classifying 77.1% of the patients correctly. At 6 months, levels of methylamine, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and tryptophan tended to still be low in non-responders.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between plasma metabolic profiles and the clinical response to tocilizumab suggests that ¹H-NMR may be a promising tool for RA therapy optimization. More studies are needed to determine if metabolic profiling can predict the response to biological therapies in RA patients.

Bidirectional association between migraine and rheumatoid arthritis: two longitudinal follow-up studies with a national sample cohort

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the bidirectional association between migraine and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

DESIGN

Two longitudinal follow-up studies.

SETTING

Data collected from a national cohort between 2002 and 2013 by the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

In cohort 1, matching resulted in the inclusion of 31 589 migraine patients and 126 356 control I participants. In cohort 2, matching resulted in the inclusion of 9287 RA patients and 37 148 control II participants.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The HRs for RA in patients with migraine (cohort 1) and migraine in patients with RA (cohort 2) were analysed using stratified Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for autoimmune disease, Charlson Comorbidity Index scores without rheumatoid diseases, obesity (body mass index), smoking and history of alcohol intake. Subgroup analyses stratified by age, sex, income and region of residence were also performed.

RESULTS

The incidence of RA in the migraine group (2.0% (640/31 589)) was higher than that in the control I group (1.4% (1709/126 356), p<0.001). The adjusted HR for RA in the migraine without aura group was 1.48 (95% CIs=1.34 to 1.63, p<0.001).The incidence of migraine in the RA group (6.4% (590/9287)) was higher than that in the control II group (4.6% (1721/37 148), p<0.001). The adjusted HR for migraine without aura in the RA group was 1.35 (95% CI=1.23 to 1.49, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Migraine increases the risk of RA, and RA is also associated with an increased risk of migraine.

Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Treatment and Surgical Intervention on Endothelial Glycocalyx, Peripheral and Coronary Microcirculatory Function and Myocardial Deformation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Two-Arms Two-Stage Clinical Trial

Sixty inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients (45 Crohn disease and 15 ulcerative colitis, 40 ± 13 years, 53% male) were examined at baseline and 4 months after intervention (surgical (35 patients) or anti-TNFa treatment (25 patients)). IBD severity, using Mayo score, Harvey–Bradshaw Index (HBI) and biomarkers, was correlated with cardiovascular markers. At baseline, the disease severity, the white blood cells (WBC) values and the reducing power (RP) were significantly correlated with the aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) (r = 0.4, r = 0.44 and r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and the lateral mitral E’ velocity (r = 0.35, p < 0.05 and r = 0.3, p < 0.05). Four months after intervention, there was a reduction of WBC (1962.8/mm³ ± 0.425/mm³, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (8.1 mg/L ± 1.7 mg/L, p < 0.001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (0.81 nmol/mg ± 0.37, p < 0.05) and glycocalyx perfused boundary region (PBR 5-25) (0.24 μm ± 0.05 μm, p < 0.01). Moreover, the brachial flow mediated dilatation (FMD), the coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) were significantly improved for both groups (4.5% ± 0.9%, 0.55 ± 0.08, 1.4% ± 0.35%, p < 0.01), while a more significant improvement of PWV/GLS was noticed in the anti-TNFa group. IBD severity is associated with vascular endothelial, cardiac diastolic, and coronary microcirculatory dysfunction. The systemic inflammatory inhibition and the local surgical intervention lead to significant improvement in endothelial function, coronary microcirculation and myocardial deformation.

Effect of Biologics on Cardiovascular Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights and Risk Reduction

It is increasingly recognized that atherosclerosis and consequently cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely linked with inflammatory processes. The latter is in the center of the pathogenic mechanism underlying autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD). It follows then, that optimal control of inflammation in ARDs may lead to a decrease of the accompanied CVD risk. Major trials (eg, CANTOS, CIRT), aimed at examining the possible benefits of immunomodulatory treatments in CVD, demonstrated conflicting results. On the other hand, substantial evidence is accumulating about the possible beneficial effects of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with ARDs, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It seems that bDMARDs (some more than others) alter the lipid profile in RA patients but do not adversely affect, in most cases, the TC/HDL ratio. Favorable effects are noted for arterial stiffness and endothelial function. This is reflected in the lower risk for CVD events, seen in observational studies of RA patients treated with bDMARDs. It should be stressed that more data exist for the TNF-inhibitors than for other bDMARDs, such as tocilizumab, abatacept and rituximab. As regards the spondyloarthropathies (SpA), data are less robust. For TNF-inhibitors, effects appear to be on par with those seen in RA but no conclusions can be drawn for newer biologic drugs used in SpA (eg, IL-17 blockers). Finally, there is accumulating evidence for a beneficial effect of immunosuppressive treatment in cardiac inflammation and function in several ARDs. Introduction of newer therapeutic options in clinical practice seem to have a positive impact on CVD in the setting of ARD. This is probably due to better control of inflammation, but direct improvement in vascular pathology is also a valid hypothesis. Most data are derived from observational studies and, therefore, randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the possible favorable effect of bDMARDs on CVD outcomes.

Endothelial Dysfunction, Inflammation and Coronary Artery Disease: Potential Biomarkers and Promising Therapeutical Approaches

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and its complications are the leading cause of death worldwide. Inflammatory activation and dysfunction of the endothelium are key events in the development and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and are associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events. There is great interest to further understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis progression, and to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to prevent endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and to reduce the risk of developing CAD and its complications. The use of liquid biopsies and new molecular biology techniques have allowed the identification of a growing list of molecular and cellular markers of endothelial dysfunction, which have provided insight on the molecular basis of atherosclerosis and are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the prevention and or treatment of atherosclerosis and CAD. This review describes recent information on normal vascular endothelium function, as well as traditional and novel potential biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies aimed to protect the endothelium or reverse endothelial damage, as a preventive treatment for CAD and related complications.

Aptamers for Proteins Associated with Rheumatic Diseases: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Nucleic acid aptamers capable of affine and specific binding to their molecular targets have now established themselves as a very promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Although the main focus in aptamers’ research and development for biomedicine is made on cardiovascular, infectious, and malignant diseases, the use of aptamers as therapeutic or diagnostic tools in the context of rheumatic diseases is no less important. In this review, we consider the main features of aptamers that make them valuable molecular tools for rheumatologists, and summarize the studies on the selection and application of aptamers for protein biomarkers associated with rheumatic diseases. We discuss the progress in the development of aptamer-based diagnostic assays and targeted therapeutics for rheumatic disorders, future prospects in the field, and issues that have yet to be addressed.

Evaluation of the Risk of Getting Peripheral Artery Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Selection of Appropriate Diagnostic Methods

This study aims to review the evidence regarding the association between peripheral artery disease (PAD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as influential underlying factors and diagnostic options. Eligible literature was searched in PubMed published up to June 1, 2020, in English. Case studies, case series, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. We also excluded non-human studies and those 20 years and older. A total of 44 studies were finally incorporated in the narrative review. The results indicated that compared to controls, RA patients are more prone to PAD. Traditional risk factors, disease-characteristics, vitamin D deficiency, therapy used, and other relevant conditions have a variable effect on overall PAD progression. Studies comparing diagnostic options revealed that vascular function and morphology are connected but are still distinctive processes. In early-stage disease, there are functional alterations in the endothelium that can be controlled by anti-inflammatory medications. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) <0.9 might not be quite susceptible to PAD evaluation. Supplemental diagnostic tools could detect vascular disease in the preclinical stage. Most risk factors are adjustable, and the management will have a good impact on vascular health. PAD is mostly subclinical when the therapeutic options have a better impact. Diagnostic modalities should be chosen depending on the features of RA. In addition, multiple diagnostic options increase the accuracy of PAD diagnosis. Future prospective studies with larger populations at different age groups and different disease activity duration are essential to make firm conclusions and better understand the phenomenon of RA and PAD.

Comprehensive arginine metabolomics and peripheral vasodilatory capacity in rheumatoid arthritis: A monocentric cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between plasma arginine metabolites influencing vascular homeostasis and peripheral vasodilatory capacity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is not known.

METHODS

l-arginine (Arg), monomethyl-l-arginine (MMA), l-homoarginine (hArg), asymmetric dimethyl-l-arginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethyl-l-arginine, and l-citrulline (Cit) were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in 164 RA patients and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls without previous cardiovascular events. Log-transformed reactive hyperemia index (Ln-RHI) evaluated by flow-mediated pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT, EndoPAT2000 device) was assessed as surrogate measure of peripheral vasodilatory capacity in RA patients. Ln-RHI values <0.51 indicated peripheral endothelial dysfunction (ED). The relationship between plasma arginine metabolite concentrations, RA descriptors and peripheral vasodilatory capacity was evaluated by bivariate correlation and regression analyses.

RESULTS

Plasma ADMA concentrations were significantly higher, and plasma hArg concentrations significantly lower, in RA patients than in controls (0.53 ± 0.09 vs 0.465 ± 0.07 μmol/L and 1.50 ± 0.60 vs 1.924 ± 0.78 μmol/L, respectively; p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Bivariate correlation analysis demonstrated no significant correlation between arginine metabolites and disease descriptors. In regression analysis in RA patients, higher plasma ADMA concentrations were independently associated with presence of ED [OR(95% CI) = 77.3(1.478-4050.005), p = 0.031] and lower Ln-RHI [B coefficient(95% CI) = -0.57(-1.09 to -0.05), p = 0.032].

CONCLUSIONS

ADMA was significantly, albeit weakly, associated with impaired microcirculatory vasodilatory capacity and peripheral endothelial dysfunction in RA. This suggests an important pathophysiological role of this metabolite in the vascular alterations observed in this patient group.

Role of the eNOS Uncoupling and the Nitric Oxide Metabolic Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Atherosclerosis and its clinical complications constitute the major healthcare problems of the world population. Due to the central role of endothelium throughout the atherosclerotic disease process, endothelial dysfunction is regarded as a common mechanism for various cardiovascular (CV) disorders. It is well established that patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases are characterized by significantly increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with the general population. The current European guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in clinical practice recommend to use a 1,5-factor multiplier for CV risk in rheumatoid arthritis as well as in other autoimmune inflammatory diseases. However, mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis in these diseases, especially in the absence of traditional risk factors, still remain unclear. Oxidative stress plays the major role in the endothelial dysfunction and recently is strongly attributed to endothelial NO synthase dysfunction (eNOS uncoupling). Converted to a superoxide-producing enzyme, uncoupled eNOS not only leads to reduction of the nitric oxide (NO) generation but also potentiates the preexisting oxidative stress, which contributes significantly to atherogenesis. However, to date, there are no systemic analyses on the role of eNOS uncoupling in the excess CV mortality linked with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The current review paper addresses this issue.

Arginine Derivatives in Cerebrovascular Diseases: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

The amino acid L-arginine serves as substrate for the nitric oxide synthase which is crucial in vascular function and disease. Derivatives of arginine, such as asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), are regarded as markers of endothelial dysfunction and have been implicated in vascular disorders. While there is a variety of studies consolidating ADMA as biomarker of cerebrovascular risk, morbidity and mortality, SDMA is currently emerging as an interesting metabolite with distinct characteristics in ischemic stroke. In contrast to dimethylarginines, homoarginine is inversely associated with adverse events and mortality in cerebrovascular diseases and might constitute a modifiable protective risk factor. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence for the pathophysiological role of arginine derivatives in cerebrovascular ischemic diseases. We discuss the complex mechanisms of arginine metabolism in health and disease and its potential clinical implications in diverse aspects of ischemic stroke.

A prospective, longitudinal monocentric study on laser Doppler imaging of microcirculation: comparison with macrovascular pathophysiology and effect of adalimumab treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis

Increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors may improve vascular function. In the first part of this study, we determined microcirculation during postoocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) representing endothelial function. In a nonselected population (n = 46) we measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and laser Doppler flow (LDF) by ultrasound. Among LDF parameters, we determined TH1 (time to half before hyperemia), TH2 (time to half after hyperemia), Tmax (time to maximum) and total hyperemic area (AH). We measured von Willebrand antigen (vWF:Ag) by ELISA. In the second part of the study, we assessed the effects of adalimumab treatment on microcirculatory parameters in 8 early RA patients at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. We found significant positive correlations between FMD and LDF Tmax (R = 0.456, p = 0.002), FMD and TH2 (R = 0.435, p = 0.004), and negative correlation between vWF:Ag and Tmax (R = - 0.4, p = 0.009) and between vWF:Ag and TH2 (R = - 0.446, p = 0.003). Upon adalimumab therapy in early RA, TH2 times improved in comparison to baseline (TH2_baseline = 26.9 s vs. TH2_4weeks = 34.7 s, p = 0,032), and this effect prolonged until the end of treatment (TH2_8weeks = 40.5, p = 0.026; TH2_12weeks = 32.1, p = 0.013). After 8 weeks of treatment, significant improvement was found in AHa (AH_baseline = 1599 Perfusion Units [PU] vs. AH_8weeks = 2724 PU, p = 0.045). The PORH test carried out with LDF is a sensitive option to measure endothelial dysfunction. TH1 and TH2 may be acceptable and reproducible markers. In our pilot study, treatment with adalimumab exerted favorable effects on disease activity, endothelial dysfunction and microcirculation in early RA patients.

Association between depression and rheumatoid arthritis: two longitudinal follow-up studies using a national sample cohort

Objective

To investigate the bidirectional relation between RA and depression.

Methods

Data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service – National Sample Cohort from 2002 to 2013 were analysed. Patients ≥20 years of age were included. Study I was conducted with 38 087 depression patients and 152 348 matched control participants. Study II was conducted with 7385 RA patients and 29 540 matched control participants. Stratified Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the hazard ratios (HRs) for depression and RA (study I) and for RA and depression (study II). The data were adjusted by the Charlson comorbidity index; rheumatic disease was excluded. Subgroups were also analysed according to age and sex.

Results

A total of 0.7% (1260/38 087) of the depression group and 0.6% (883/152 348) of the control I group had RA (P = 0.02). The HR for RA in the depression group was not significantly higher than that in control I group. In study II, 5.5% (408/7385) of the RA group and 4.3% (1246/29 540) of the control II group presented with depression (P &lt; 0.001). The RA patients showed an adjusted depression HR that was 1.20 times higher (95% CI 1.07, 1.34; P = 0.002) than that of the control group. The &gt;30-years-old and women subgroups of RA patients showed higher depression HRs than the control subgroups.

Conclusion

RA increased the risk of depression; however, depression did not increase the risk of RA in the Korean adult population.

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis

The systemic autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) result from accelerated atherogenesis, which is a consequence of endothelial dysfunction in the early stages of the disease. Endothelial dysfunction is a functional and reversible alteration of endothelial cells and leads to a shift in the properties of the endothelium towards reduced vasodilation, a pro-inflammatory state, and proliferative and prothrombotic properties. In RA, endothelial dysfunction can occur in the large vessels (such as the conduit arteries) and in the small vessels of the microvasculature, which supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and control inflammation, repair and fluid exchange with the surrounding tissues. Growing evidence suggests that microvascular endothelial dysfunction contributes to CVD development, as it precedes and predicts the development of conduit artery atherosclerosis and associated risk factors. As such, numerous studies have investigated microvascular endothelial dysfunction in RA, including its link with disease activity, disease duration and inflammation, the effect of treatments on endothelial function, and possible circulating biomarkers of microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Such findings could have important implications in the cardiovascular risk management of patients with RA.

Genetic regulation of dimethylarginines and endothelial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) confers an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk which accounts for much of the premature morbidity and mortality observed in this population. Alterations in vascular function and morphology leading to increased atherosclerotic burden are considered the main drivers of CVD in RA individuals with systemic inflammation playing a key role in the dysregulation of endothelial homeostasis and initiation of vascular injury. Dimethylarginines are endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase and have emerged as novel, independent biomarkers of CVD in a wide range of conditions associated with vascular pathology. In RA several reports have demonstrated abnormal dimethylarginine metabolism attributable to various factors such as systemic inflammation, decreased degradation or upregulated synthesis. Although a causal relationship between dimethylarginines and vascular damage in RA has not been established, the tight interrelations between inflammation, dimethylarginines and endothelial dysfunction suggest that determination of dimethylarginine regulators may shed more light in the pathophysiology of the atherosclerotic process in RA and may also provide new therapeutic targets. The Alanine-Glyoxylate Aminotransferase 2 (AGTX2)-dependent pathway is a relatively recently discovered alternative pathway of dimethylarginine catabolism and its role on RA-related atherosclerotic disease is yet to be established. As factors affecting dimethylarginine concentrations linked to CVD risk and endothelial dysfunction are of prominent clinical relevance in RA, we present preliminary evidence that gene variants of AGTX-2 may influence dimethylarginine levels in RA patients and provide the rationale for larger studies in this field.

Plasma from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Reduces Nitric Oxide Synthesis and Induces Reactive Oxygen Species in A Cell-Based Biosensor

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) diseases. It has been proposed that systemic inflammation plays a key role in premature atherosclerosis development, and is therefore crucial to determine whether systemic components from RA patients promotes endothelial cell-oxidative stress by affecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric-oxide (NO) production. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether plasma from RA patients impair NO synthesis and ROS production by using the cell-line ECV-304 as a biosensor. NO synthesis and ROS production were measured in cells incubated with plasma from 73 RA patients and 52 healthy volunteers by fluorimetry. In addition, traditional CV risk factors, inflammatory molecules and disease activity parameters were measured. Cells incubated with plasma from RA patients exhibited reduced NO synthesis and increased ROS production compared to healthy volunteers. Furthermore, the imbalance between NO synthesis and ROS generation in RA patients was not associated with traditional CV risk factors. Our data suggest that ECV-304 cells can be used as a biosensor of systemic inflammation-induced endothelial cell-oxidative stress. We propose that both NO and ROS production are potential biomarkers aimed at improving the current assessment of CV risk in RA.

Mechanisms of vascular comorbidity in autoimmune diseases

Purpose of review

Persuasive statistics support the clinical observation that because of cardiovascular comorbidities patients with inflammatory joint disease die significantly earlier despite anti-inflammatory therapy.

Recent findings

The reason for this earlier death is multifactorial and involves a combination of a complex genetic background, environmental influences, classical cardiovascular risk factors and the impact of anti-inflammatory therapy. We will describe the importance of several new mechanisms, especially the diverse intercellular communication routes including extracellular vesicles and microRNAs that support the development of cardiovascular comorbidities.

Summary

The aim of this review is to give an updated overview about the known risk factors in the development of cardiovascular comorbidities with the latest insights about their mechanism of action. Furthermore, the impact of newly identified risk factors and significance will be discussed.

Impact of obesity on autoimmune arthritis and its cardiovascular complications

Obesity can instigate and sustain a systemic low-grade inflammatory environment that can amplify autoimmune disorders and their associated comorbidities. Metabolic changes and inflammatory factors produced by the adipose tissue have been reported to aggravate autoimmunity and predispose the patient to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic comorbidities. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are autoimmune arthritic diseases, often linked with altered body mass index (BMI). Severe joint inflammation and bone destruction have a debilitating impact on the patient's life; there is also a staggering risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, these patients are at risk of developing metabolic symptoms, including insulin resistance resulting in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, arthritis severity, progression and response to therapy can be markedly affected by the patient's BMI. Hence, a complex integrative pathogenesis interconnects autoimmunity with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. This review aims to shed light on the network that connects obesity with RA, PsA, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjӧgren's syndrome. We have focused on clarifying the mechanism by which obesity affects different cell types, inflammatory factors and traditional therapies in these autoimmune disorders. We conclude that to further optimize arthritis therapy and to prevent CVD, it is imperative to uncover the intricate relation between obesity and arthritis pathology.

Inhibition of endothelial progenitor cells may explain the high cardiovascular event rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients may suffer cardiovascular (CV) events much more than the general population, and CV disease is the leading cause of death in patients with RA. Our hypothesis was that impaired function of endothelial progenitor cells may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and the clinical CV events of patients with RA.

METHODS

About 27 RA patients (9 males and 18 females) with an active disease and 13 healthy subjects who served as the control group (nine males and four females) were enrolled to this prospective study. The ability to grow in culture colony-forming units of endothelial progenitor cells (CFU-EPCs) was measured, as well as their endothelial function using high-resolution ultrasonography of the brachial artery, and levels of C reactive protein (CRP) in the serum. For statistical analysis, we used the Student's t-test.

RESULTS

As a group, patients with RA were older (P < 0.0001), had severe endothelial dysfunction (P<0.0001), with impaired ability to grow CFU-EPCs (P<0.0001), and a higher inflammatory state (P = 0001). No difference was observed in BMI. All RA patients had an active disease (DAS28 3.9 ± 0.9) for 9.2 ± 6.5 years. The same differences were observed in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with RA had an impaired ability to grow EPCs and severe endothelial dysfunction. Inability to grow colonies of EPCs reflects the impaired regenerative capacity of patients with RA and may explain the endothelial dysfunction and the high CV event rate among patients with RA.

Systemic Inflammatory Response and Atherosclerosis: The Paradigm of Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic diseases (CIRD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), ascribed not only to classical risk factors, but also to the presence of chronic systemic inflammatory response. Αtherosclerosis, the cornerstone of CVD, is known to be accelerated in CIRD; rheumatoid arthritis promotes atheromatosis and associates with preclinical atherosclerosis equivalent to Diabetes Mellitus, which also seems to apply for systemic lupus erythematosus. Data on ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, albeit more limited, also support an increased CV risk in these patients. The association between inflammation and atherosclerosis, has been thoroughly investigated in the last three decades and the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of atherogenesis has been well established. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells and macrophage accumulation, toll-like receptor signaling, NLPR-3 formation and subsequent pro-inflammatory cytokine production, such as TNFa, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-like cytokine 1A, are few of the mechanisms implicated in the atherogenic process. Moreover, there is evidence that anti-inflammatory biologic drugs, such as anti-TNF and anti-IL1β agents, can decelerate the atherogenic process, thus setting new therapeutic targets for early and effective disease control and suppression of inflammation, in addition to aggressive management of classical CV risk factors.

Elevated levels of plasma symmetric dimethylarginine and increased arginase activity as potential indicators of cardiovascular comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In RA, chronic inflammation may lead to endothelial dysfunction, an early indicator of CVD, owing to diminished nitric oxide (NO) production. Because l-arginine is the sole precursor of NO, we hypothesized that levels of l-arginine metabolic products reflecting NO metabolism are altered in patients with RA.

Methods

Plasma samples from patients with RA (n = 119) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 238) were used for this study. Using LC-MS/MS, we measured plasma levels of free l-arginine, l-ornithine, l-citrulline, l-N^G-monomethyl arginine (MMA), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). We compared global arginine bioavailability ratio (GABR) (i.e., ratio of l-arginine to l-ornithine + l-citrulline) and arginine methylation index (ArgMI) (i.e., ADMA + SDMA/MMA) in patients with RA vs. control subjects. Plasma arginase activity was measured using a sensitive arginase assay kit. The relationship of l-arginine metabolites and arginase activity to CVD risk factors was evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square test.

Results

Compared with healthy control subjects, the RA cohort showed significantly lower levels of plasma l-arginine (46.11 ± 17.29 vs. 74.2 ± 22.53 μmol/L, p < 0.001) and GABR (0.36 ± 0.16 vs. 0.73 ± 0.24, p < 0.001), elevated levels of ADMA (0.76 ± 0.12 vs. 0.62 ± 0.12 μmol/L, p < 0.001), SDMA (0.54 ± 0.14 vs. 0.47 ± 0.13 μmol/L, p < 0.001), and ArgMI (6.51 ± 1.86 vs. 5.54 ± 1.51, p < 0.001). We found an approximately fourfold increase in arginase activity (33.8 ± 1.1 vs. 8.4 ± 0.8 U/L, p < 0.001), as well as elevated levels of arginase-mediated l-arginine catalytic product l-ornithine (108.64 ± 30.26 vs. 69.3 ± 20.71 μmol/L, p < 0.001), whereas a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalytic product, the l-citrulline level, was diminished in RA (30.32 ± 9.93 vs. 36.17 ± 11.64 μmol/L, p < 0.001). Patients with RA with existing CVD had higher arginase activity than patients with RA without CVD (p = 0.048).

Conclusions

Global l-arginine bioavailability was diminished, whereas plasma arginase activity, ADMA, and SDMA levels were elevated, in patients with RA compared with healthy control subjects. Plasma SDMA was associated with hypertension and hyperlipidemia in patients with RA. This dysregulated l-arginine metabolism may function as a potential indicator of CVD risk in patients with RA.

Dermal capillary rarefaction as a marker of microvascular damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Association with inflammation and disorders of the macrocirculation

OBJECTIVE

Capillary rarefaction is observed in various cardiovascular diseases, yet it remains understudied in RA, a chronic inflammatory disease accompanied by excess cardiovascular risk. We quantified capillary density in RA patients and explored potential associations with macrocirculatory disorders, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

Dermal capillary density was assessed with nailfold capillaroscopy in RA and non-RA individuals, using specifically designed semiautomated software. Macrocirculation assessments included large artery stiffening, evaluated with PWV, and myocardial blood flow, calculated as cardiac index from impedance cardiography. Cardiovascular risk score was estimated from the Framingham Heart Study.

RESULTS

The number of capillaries per visual field was lower in patients (n = 99) compared to controls (n = 35) (132.6 ± 30.3 vs 152.9 ± 25.2, P = .001). In the RA group, capillary density negatively correlated with CRP and PWV, and positively with HDL and cardiac index. In the multivariate analysis, CRP independently predicted capillary rarefaction (P = .044). Capillary density significantly correlated with cardiovascular risk, even after adjustment for inflammation (P = .030).

CONCLUSION

Capillary rarefaction appears pronounced in RA and correlates with lower cardiac output, increased arterial stiffness, and cardiovascular risk. However, the associations with macrocirculatory disorders may be obscured by inflammation, which appears as the major contributor to capillary rarefaction in RA.

Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine as a Biomarker of Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite the advent on new drugs targeting the articular manifestations, the burden of cardiovascular disease is still an unmet need in the management of RA. The pathophysiology of accelerated atherosclerosis associated to RA is not yet fully understood, and reliable and specific markers of early cardiovascular involvement are still lacking. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is gaining attention for its implication in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and as biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Moreover, the metabolic pathway of methylarginines offers possible targets for therapeutic interventions to decrease the cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this review is to describe the main causes of increased methylarginine levels in RA, their implication in accelerated atherosclerosis, the possible role as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, and finally the available data on current pharmacological treatment.

Plasma Urea Cycle Metabolites May Be Useful Biomarkers in Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disorder of the esophagus that has become increasingly recognized in children. Because these children undergo multiple endoscopies, discovering a non-invasive biomarker of disease activity is highly desirable. The aim of this study was to use targeted plasma metabolomics to identify potential biomarker candidates for EoE in a discovery phase. Methods: A prospective, single-center clinical trial was performed on 24 children ages 2-18 years with and without EoE undergoing upper endoscopy for any indication. Blood samples were collected for metabolomics profiling using the subclasses: amino acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle, acetylation, and methylation. Using mass spectrometry and systematic bioinformatics analysis, 48 metabolites were measured and compared between children with active EoE (+EoE) and controls (-EoE). To investigate the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use on metabolites, patients were also stratified based on PPI use (+PPI, -PPI). Results: Seven children had active EoE at the time of endoscopy. Eleven children were on PPI (4 with EoE). Of the 48 metabolites measured, 8 plasma metabolites showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) comparing +EoE -PPI to -EoE -PPI, a few of which were upregulated metabolites involved in the urea cycle. There were 14 significant differences comparing +EoE +PPI to +EoE -PPI. This demonstrated that in EoE patients, PPI use upregulated metabolites involved in the urea cycle, while it downregulated metabolites involved in methylation. Comparison among all four groups, +EoE +PPI, +EoE -PPI, -EoE +PPI, and -EoE -PPI, revealed 27 significantly different metabolites. +EoE +PPI had downregulated methionine and N-acetyl methionine, while both +EoE groups and -EoE +PPI had upregulated homocysteine, N-acetylputrescine, N-acetylornithine, arginine, and ornithine. Conclusion: The present study revealed key plasma metabolite differences in children with EoE compared to unaffected controls. Notable candidate biomarkers include dimethylarginine, putrescine, and N-acetylputrescine. PPI use was shown to influence these urea cycle metabolites, regardless of EoE presence. Therefore, future studies should distinguish patients based on PPI use or determine metabolites while not on treatment. These findings will be confirmed in a larger validation phase, as this may represent a significant discovery in the search for a non-invasive biomarker for EoE. Clinical Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT 03107819.

Lipid management among individuals with inflammatory arthritis in the national REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort

Objective Hyperlipidemia guidelines do not currently identify inflammatory arthritis (IA) as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. We compared hyperlipidemia treatment of individuals with and without IA (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis) in a large national cohort. Methods Participants from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study were classified as having IA (without diabetes or hypertension); diabetes (but no IA); hypertension (but no diabetes or IA); or no IA, diabetes, or hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the odds of medical treatment among those with hyperlipidemia. Results Thirty-nine participants had IA, 5423 had diabetes, 7534 had hypertension, and 5288 had no diabetes, hypertension, or IA. The fully adjusted odds of treatment were similar between participants with IA and those without IA, hypertension, or diabetes. Participants with diabetes and no IA and participants with hypertension and no IA were twice as likely to be treated for hyperlipidemia as those without IA, diabetes, or hypertension. Conclusion Despite their higher CVD risk, patients with IA were as likely to be treated for hyperlipidemia as those without diabetes, hypertension, or IA. Lipid guidelines should identify IA as a CVD risk factor to improve CVD risk optimization in IA.

Opposing effects of rheumatoid arthritis and low dose prednisolone on arginine metabolomics

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The effects of low dose prednisolone on circulating markers of endothelial function, the arginine metabolites asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), mono methyl arginine (MMA), and homoarginine, are uncertain. We assessed whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis have perturbations in arginine metabolite concentrations that are reversed by low dose prednisolone.

METHODS

Eighteen rheumatoid arthritis patients who had not taken prednisolone for >6 months (non-glucocorticoid (GC) users), 18 rheumatoid arthritis patients taking continuous oral prednisolone (6.5 ± 1.8 mg/day) for >6 months (GC users) and 20 healthy controls were studied. Fasting plasma concentrations of ADMA, MMA, and homoarginine were measured by ultra-performance liquid-chromatography. Baseline data from non-GC users were compared with healthy controls to assess the effect of rheumatoid arthritis. The change in arginine metabolites in non-GC users after 7 days of prednisolone (6 mg/day) was used to assess the acute effects of prednisolone. Baseline data from non-GC users were compared with GC users to assess the chronic effects of prednisolone.

RESULTS

Non-GC users had higher ADMA (0.59 ± 0.03 vs. 0.47 ± 0.01 μM, p = 0.004) and MMA concentrations (0.10 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.00 μM, p < 0.001) than controls. The only change with acute prednisolone was a reduction in homoarginine (1.23 ± 0.06 vs. 1.08 ± 0.06 μM, p = 0.04) versus baseline. GC users had lower concentrations of ADMA (0.51 ± 0.02 vs. 0.59 ± 0.03 μM, p = 0.03) than non-GC users.

CONCLUSIONS

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher concentrations of ADMA and MMA, inhibitors of endothelial function. Chronic, but not acute, prednisolone therapy is associated with a lower ADMA concentration, suggesting a salutary effect of long-term glucocorticoid treatment on endothelial function.