scholarly journals Possible Modulation of Vascular Function Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Homocysteine

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud A. Alomari ◽  
Omar F. Khabour ◽  
Khaldoon Alawneh ◽  
Rania A. Shammaa
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Group ◽  
Serum Homocysteine ◽  
Addition Level ◽  
Forearm Occlusion ◽  
Apparently Healthy

The effect of homocysteine on cardiovascular diseases is still equivocal, especially in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this investigation, the association between homocysteine with blood flow and vascular resistance in rheumatoid arthritis was examined. Serum levels of homocysteine were determined in thirty-one rheumatoid arthritis patients and nineteen apparently healthy subjects using ELISA. Additionally, strain-gauge plethysmography was used to determine both forearm blood flow and vascular function at rest and after occlusion. Forearm occlusion blood flow (patients: 21.9 ± 6.55 versus control: 25.5 ± 6.10ml/100mL/min) was lower (p < 0.05) while occlusion vascular resistance (patients: 4.77 ± 2.08 versus controls 3.05 ± 0.96U) was greater (p < 0.01) in rheumatoid arthritis than in the controls. Level of serum homocysteine was similar (p = 0.803) in rheumatoid arthritis group and healthy group. In addition, level of serum homocysteine was correlated with resting blood flow (r = −0.41; p < 0.02) and resting vascular resistance (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) in the patients group. The study confirms altered vascular function in rheumatoid arthritis. Uniquely, the results show that homocysteine was related to resting, but not postischemia, vascular measures. These relationships indicate that homocysteine might impact the vasculature in rheumatoid arthritis.

scholarly journals Vascular Function and Handgrip Strength in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud A. Alomari ◽  
Esraa F. Keewan ◽  
Rania A. Shammaa ◽  
Khaldoon Alawneh ◽  
Said Y. Khatib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Forearm Blood Flow ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Muscle Dysfunction ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Objective. To examine the relationship of handgrip strength with forearm blood flow (BF) and vascular resistance (VR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods. Forearm BF at rest (RBF) and after upper arm occlusion (RHBF), and handgrip strength were examined in 78 individuals (RA=42and controls (CT)=36). Subsequently, VR at rest (RVR) and after occlusion (RHVR) were calculated.Results. The patients’ RBF (P=0.02) and RHBF (P=0.0001) were less, whereas RVR (P=0.002) and RHVR (P=0.0001) were greater as compared to the CTs. Similarly, handgrip strength was lower in the RAs (P=0.0001). Finally, handgrip strength was directly associated with RBF (r=0.43;P=0.0001), and RHBF (r=0.5;P=0.0001), and inversely related to RVR (r=-0.3;P=0.009) and RHVR (r=-0.3;P=0.007).Conclusion. The present study uniquely identifies an association between regional measures of forearm blood flow and handgrip strength in patients and healthy control. In addition, this study confirms the presence of vascular and muscle dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as evidenced by lower forearm blood flow indices, at rest and following occlusion, and lower handgrip strength as compared to healthy individuals.

Long-term estrogen deficiency lowers regional blood flow, resting systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in exercising premenopausal women

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (5) ◽  
pp. E1401-E1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma O'Donnell ◽  
Paula J. Harvey ◽  
Jack M. Goodman ◽  
Mary Jane De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Regional Blood Flow ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Vascular Conductance ◽  
Menstrual Status

The cardiovascular consequences of hypoestrogenism in premenopausal women are unclear. Accordingly, the influence of menstrual status and endogenous estrogen (E2) exposure on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and calf blood flow in young (18–35 yr) regularly exercising premenopausal women with exercise-associated menstrual aberrations was investigated. Across consecutive menstrual cycles, daily urinary ovarian steroid levels were analyzed, and the area under the curve was calculated to determine menstrual status and E2exposure. BP, HR, blood flow, vascular conductance, and resistance were measured at baseline and following ischemic calf exercise. Exercising subjects consisted of 14 ovulatory (ExOv), 10 short-term (anovulatory and ≤100 days amenorrhea; ST-E2Def), and 8 long-term (>100 days amenorrhea; LT-E2Def) E2-deficient women. Nine sedentary ovulatory subjects (SedOv) were also studied. All groups were similar in age (24.8 ± 0.7 yr), height (164.8 ± 1.3 cm), weight (57.9 ± 0.9 kg), and body mass index (21.3 ± 0.3 kg/m2). E2-deficient groups had lower ( P < 0.002) E2exposure compared with ovulatory groups. Resting systolic BP, HR, blood flow, and vascular conductance were lower ( P < 0.05) and vascular resistance higher ( P < 0.05) in LT-E2Def compared with both ovulatory groups. Peak ischemic blood flow, vascular conductance, and HR were also lower ( P < 0.05) and vascular resistance higher ( P < 0.05) in LT-E2Def compared with all other groups. Our findings show that exercising women with long-term E2deficiency have impaired regional blood flow and lower systolic BP and HR compared with exercising and sedentary ovulatory women. These cardiovascular alterations represent markers of altered vascular function and autonomic regulation of which the long-term effects remain unknown.

scholarly journals Sympathetic vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle: Modulatory effects of aging, exercise training, and sex

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren S DeLorey
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Muscle Blood Flow ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow ◽  
Sympathetic Vasoconstriction ◽  
Effects Of Aging

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a critically important regulator of the cardiovascular system. The SNS controls cardiac output and its distribution, as well as peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure at rest and during exercise. Aging is associated with increased blood pressure and decreased skeletal muscle blood flow at rest and in response to exercise. The mechanisms responsible for the blunted skeletal muscle blood flow response to dynamic exercise with aging have not been fully elucidated; however, increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), elevated vascular resistance and a decline in endothelium-dependent vasodilation are commonly reported in older adults. In contrast to aging, exercise training has been shown to reduce blood pressure and enhance skeletal muscle vascular function. Exercise training has been shown to enhance nitric oxide-dependent vascular function and may improve the vasodilatory capacity of the skeletal muscle vasculature; however, surprisingly little is known about the effect of exercise training on the neural control of circulation. The control of blood pressure and skeletal muscle blood flow also differs between males and females. Blood pressure and MSNA appear to be lower in young females compared to males. However, females experience a larger increase in MSNA with aging compared to males. The mechanism(s) for the altered SNS control of vascular function in females remain to be determined. Novelty: • This review will summarize our current understanding of the effects of aging, exercise training and sex on sympathetic vasoconstriction at rest and during exercise. • Areas where additional research is needed are also identified.

scholarly journals Differential effects of aging and exercise on intra-abdominal adipose arteriolar function and blood flow regulation

2013 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert T. Davis ◽  
John N. Stabley ◽  
James M. Dominguez ◽  
Michael W. Ramsey ◽  
Danielle J. McCullough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Resistance Arteries ◽  
Age Related

Adipose tissue (AT), which typically comprises an increased percentage of body mass with advancing age, receives a large proportion of resting cardiac output. During exercise, an old age-associated inability to increase vascular resistance within the intra-abdominal AT may compromise the ability of the cardiovascular system to redistribute blood flow to the active musculature, contributing to the decline in exercise capacity observed in this population. We tested the hypotheses that 1) there would be an elevated perfusion of AT during exercise with old age that was associated with diminished vasoconstrictor responses of adipose-resistance arteries, and 2) chronic exercise training would mitigate the age-associated alterations in AT blood flow and vascular function. Young (6 mo; n = 40) and old (24 mo; n = 28) male Fischer 344 rats were divided into young sedentary (YSed), old sedentary (OSed), young exercise trained (YET), or old exercise trained (OET) groups, where training consisted of 10-12 wk of treadmill exercise. In vivo blood flow at rest and during exercise and in vitro α-adrenergic and myogenic vasoconstrictor responses in resistance arteries from AT were measured in all groups. In response to exercise, there was a directionally opposite change in AT blood flow in the OSed group (∼150% increase) and YSed (∼55% decrease) vs. resting values. Both α-adrenergic and myogenic vasoconstriction were diminished in OSed vs. YSed AT-resistance arteries. Exercise training resulted in a similar AT hyperemic response between age groups during exercise (YET, 9.9 ± 0.5 ml·min−1·100−1 g; OET, 8.1 ± 0.9 ml·min−1·100−1 g) and was associated with enhanced myogenic and α-adrenergic vasoconstriction of AT-resistance arteries from the OET group relative to OSed. These results indicate that there is an inability to increase vascular resistance in AT during exercise with old age, due, in part, to a diminished vasoconstriction of AT arteries. Furthermore, the results indicate that exercise training can augment vasoconstriction of AT arteries and mitigate age-related alterations in the regulation of AT blood flow during exercise.

Genetic Variation in TNF-α, its Relation with Inflammatory Biomarkers and Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadiga Ahmed Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Amplification Refractory Mutation System ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Mutation System ◽  
Potential Factor ◽  
Factor Α

Background: Tumor necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) is encoded and controlled by TNF-α gene, which is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility. This research aimed to identify genetic variations of TNF-α (G308A) and to establish its association with inflammatory markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis predisposition. Methods: In the present study, fifty RA patients and fifty volunteers were involved and evaluated for the C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and TNF-α were estimated by ELISA, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) by Wintergreen method and for TNF-α-308 G>A polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction with amplification refractory mutation system (PCR-ARMS). Results: The CRP, RF, ESR and TNF-α were significantly elevated in RA patients relative to controls. The serum level TNF-α was also significantly elevated in female patients and in patients ≥50 years. Analysis of TNF-308 gene polymorphism revealed that GG genotypes were more prevalent in RA patients than in the healthy individuals and that GG genotype may be a potential factor to RA. The G allele was more common in RA than in the control. Elevated TNF-α serum levels were significantly associated the GG genotype and functional disability in RA patients. Conclusion: TNF-α promoter 308polymorphism GG genotype may be considered as a risk factor for RA and the TNF-α serum level was significantly related to the functional disability in the disease.

Osteoprotegerin and Osteopontin Serum Levels are Associated with Vascular Function and Inflammation in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Maniatis ◽  
Gerasimos Siasos ◽  
Evangelos Oikonomou ◽  
Manolis Vavuranakis ◽  
Marina Zaromytidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Atherosclerosis Progression ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Stable Cad

Background: Osteoprotegerin and osteopontin have recently emerged as key factors in both vascular remodelling and atherosclerosis progression. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine with a key role in atherosclerosis. The relationship of osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, and IL-6 serum levels with endothelial function and arterial stiffness was evaluated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We enrolled 219 patients with stable CAD and 112 control subjects. Osteoprotegerin, osteopontin and IL-6 serum levels were measured using an ELISA assay. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness. Results: There was no significant difference between control subjects and CAD patients according to age and sex. Compared with control subjects, CAD patients had significantly impaired FMD (p<0.001) and increased PWV (p=0.009). CAD patients also had significantly higher levels of osteoprotegerin (p<0.001), osteopontin (p<0.001) and IL-6 (p=0.03), compared with control subjects. Moreover, IL-6 levels were correlated with osteoprotegerin (r=0.17, p=0.01) and osteopontin (r=0.30, p<0.001) levels. FMD was correlated with osteoprotegerin levels independent of possible confounders [b coefficient= - 0.79, 95% CI (-1.54, -0.05), p=0.04]. Conclusion: CAD patients have increased osteoprotegerin, osteopontin and IL-6 levels. Moreover, there is a consistent association between osteoprotegerin and osteopontin serum levels, vascular function and inflammation in CAD patients. These findings suggest another possible mechanism linking osteoprotegerin and osteopontin serum levels with CAD progression through arterial wall stiffening and inflammation.

Effect of Dietary Education on Cardiovascular risk Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahil Taheri ◽  
Shahram Molavynejad ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
Elham Rajaei ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Haghighizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dietary Education

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary education on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: In this randomized clinical trial, 112 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned into two groups, intervention and control. Dietary education was provided for the intervention group in 4 sessions; anthropometric measurements, serum levels of RF, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and fasting blood sugar were measured before and three months after intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean of total cholesterol (p <0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.004), LDL (p <0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), FBS and BMI (p <0.001) were decreased significantly in the intervention group after education compared the control group. Conclusion: Traditional care for rheumatoid arthritis patients is not enough. Patients need more education in order to improve their situation.

Diaphragmatic perfusion heterogeneity during exercise with inspiratory resistive breathing

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 2177-2181 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Manohar
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Vascular Resistance ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Perfusion Pressure ◽  
Work Of Breathing ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Resistive Breathing ◽  
Exercise Induced

Regional distribution of diaphragmatic blood flow (Q; 15-microns-diam radionuclide-labeled microspheres) was studied in normal (n = 7) and laryngeal hemiplegic (LH; n = 7) ponies to determine whether the added stress of inspiratory resistive breathing during maximal exercise may cause 1) redistribution of diaphragmatic Q and 2) crural diaphragmatic Q to exceed that in maximally exercising normal ponies. LH-induced augmentation of already high exertional work of breathing resulted in diminished locomotor exercise capacity so that maximal exercise in LH ponies occurred at 25 km/h compared with 32 km/h for normal ponies. The costal and crural regions received similar Q in both groups at rest. However, exercise-induced increments in perfusion were significantly greater in the costal region of the diaphragm. At 25 km/h, costal diaphragmatic perfusion was 154 and 143% of the crural diaphragmatic Q in normal and LH ponies. At 32 km/h, Q in costal diaphragm of normal ponies was 136% of that in the crural region. Costal and crural diaphragmatic Q in LH ponies exercised at 25 km/h exceeded that for normal ponies but was similar to the latter during exercise at 32 km/h. Perfusion pressure for the three conditions was also similar. It is concluded that diaphragmatic perfusion heterogeneity in exercising ponies was preserved during the added stress of inspiratory resistive breathing. It was also demonstrated that vascular resistance in the crural and costal regions of the diaphragm in maximally exercised LH ponies remained similar to that in maximally exercising normal ponies.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SERUM ANTIBODIES TO PERIODONTAL PATHOGENS AND PRECLINICAL PHASES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Manoil ◽  
Delphine S Courvoisier ◽  
Benoit Gilbert ◽  
Burkhard Möller ◽  
Ulrich A Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Periodontal Pathogens ◽  
Serum Antibodies ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Clinical Arthritis ◽  
Citrullinated Protein

Abstract Objectives To examine whether serum antibodies against selected periodontal pathogens are associated with early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in healthy individuals at risk of developing the disease. Methods Within an ongoing study cohort of first-degree relatives of patients with RA (RA-FDRs), we selected four groups corresponding to specific preclinical phases of RA development (n = 201). (1) RA-FDR controls without signs and symptoms of arthritis nor RA-related autoimmunity (n = 51); (2) RA-FDRs with RA-related autoimmunity (n = 51); (3) RA-FDRs with inflammatory arthralgias without clinical arthritis (n = 51); (4) RA-FDRs who have presented at least one swollen joint (“unclassified arthritis”) (n = 48). Groups were matched for smoking, age, sex and shared epitope status. The primary outcome was IgG serum levels against five selected periodontal pathogens and one commensal oral species assessed using validated-in-house ELISA assays. Associations between IgG measurements and preclinical phases of RA development were examined using Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results None of the IgGs directed against individual periodontal pathogens significantly differed between the four groups of RA-FDRs. Further analyses of cumulated IgG levels into bacterial clusters representative of periodontal infections, revealed significantly higher IgG titers against periodontopathogens in anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)-positive RA-FDRs (p = 0.015). Current smoking displayed a marked trend towards reduced IgG titers against periodontopathogens. Conclusion Our results do not suggest an association between serum IgG titers against individual periodontal pathogens and specific preclinical phases of RA development. However, associations between cumulative IgG titers against periodontopathogens and the presence of ACPAs suggest a synergistic contribution of periodontopathogens to ACPA development.

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