Influence of Glucocorticoids on Cellular Senescence Hallmarks in Osteoarthritic Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is recognized as being a cellular senescence-linked disease. Intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids (GC) are frequently used in knee OA to treat synovial effusion but face controversies about toxicity. We investigated the influence of GC on cellular senescence hallmarks and senescence induction in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from OA patients and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Methods: Cellular senescence was assessed via the proliferation rate, β-galactosidase staining, DNA damage and CKI expression (p21, p16INK4A). Experimental senescence was induced by irradiation. Results: The GC prednisolone did not induce an apparent senescence phenotype in FLS, with even higher proliferation, no accumulation of β-galactosidase-positive cells nor DNA damage and reduction in p21mRNA, only showing the enhancement of p16INK4A. Prednisolone did not modify experimental senescence induction in FLS, with no modulation of any senescence parameters. Moreover, prednisolone did not induce a senescence phenotype in MSC: despite high β-galactosidase-positive cells, no reduction in proliferation, no DNA damage and no CKI enhancement was observed. Conclusions: We provide reassuring in vitro data about the use of GC regarding cellular senescence involvement in OA: the GC prednisolone did not induce a senescent phenotype in OA FLS (the proliferation ratio was even higher) and in MSC and did not worsen cellular senescence establishment.

Changes in Hematobiochemical, Radiological, and Synovial Fluid Parameter in Patients of Osteoarthritis Knee with Effusion: A Prospective Observational Study

Introduction: A joint is the point of connection between two bones in our body. Inflammation of joint leads to several diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a common condition of debilitating joint disease mainly affecting the elderly. Case Report:e In this study, we had studied correlation the cases (OA with synovial effusion) and control (OA without synovial effusion) with blood parameters, radiological and synovial fluid parameters (tumor necrosis factor-? [TNF]-? levels), and the incidence of synovial effusion in radiological staging of disease. Out of 100 patients, 50 patients with OA knee with effusion and 50 patients OA knee without effusion. We concluded that incidence of synovitis knee along with raised markers of inflammation, that is, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and synovial fluid TNF-? levels was significantly higher in Stage II of OA knee, indicating that inflammation is significant part of early OA knee. Inflammation in early part of disease can lead to articular cartilage damage and rapid progression of osteoarthritic changes. Conclusion:Our study concluded that OA is not only a degenerative disease but also there is significant contribution of inflammation in disease process. Targeting inflammation in synovium may delay/prevent articular cartilage damage and osteophytes formation, especially in early OA. Anti-TNF-? agents and anti-inflammatory drugs may be considered for definitive treatment of OA. Keywords: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, osteoarthritis, Kellgren Lawrence.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment in pediatric knee hypermobility: a case control study

Background While musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) use in pediatric rheumatology is becoming more common, the majority of pediatric MSUS literature continues to focus on ultrasound findings in healthy children and juvenile idiopathic arthritis with little discussion of other musculoskeletal problems that may mimic arthritis such as joint hypermobility. Chronic joint pain related to hypermobility is a common referral to pediatric rheumatology clinics. Our aim is to describe the musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) characteristics of the knee in a population with joint hypermobility and pain in comparison to control participants. Methods Participants were recruited into three groups for a case-control study. Case group participants had knee hypermobility and pain symptoms (H + P). Participants in one control group had knee hypermobility without pain symptoms (H-P), and participants in the other control group had no knee hypermobility or pain symptoms (NP). B-mode and Doppler MSUS images were obtained and scored for each knee. Descriptive statistics are used for demographic variables and MSUS findings. Regression analysis is used to evaluate risk of synovial effusion and higher synovial effusion/hypertrophy quantitative score. Results MSUS assessment was performed on 91 knees of 50 participants. H + P knees were more likely to have positive findings noted on MSUS (94% vs. 70% of H-P and 74% of NP knees, p = 0.043). Patellar tendon hyperemia was more common in H + P knees (52%, vs. 19% among H-P and 23% among NP, p = 0.025). Participants who reported taking scheduled non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had an increased risk of synovial effusion (RR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.07–2.30, p = 0.026) and a trend towards increased risk of a higher synovial effusion/hypertrophy quantitative score (RR = 1.77, 95% CI = 0.92–3.38, p = 0.086). Conclusions While positive MSUS findings were frequent in all participants, patellar tendon hyperemia was more frequent in participants with knee hypermobility and pain symptoms. Additionally, reported use of NSAIDs was associated with an increased risk of synovial effusion and higher synovial effusion/hypertrophy quantitative score. Further study should assess correlation between tendon abnormalities and degree of pain symptoms as well as the effect of NSAIDs on MSUS findings.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound features-based scoring system can evaluate the severity of gout and asymptomatic hyperuricaemia

Objectives: To develop a tool which can evaluate the severity of the joint injury in individuals with gout and asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. Methods: This retrospective study included 616 male patients: 245 with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia and 371 with intercritical gout. All patients underwent ultrasonography of the knee, ankle and first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Ultrasound features that were significantly different between groups were entered into a binary logistic regression analysis to identify discriminative factors. The ultrasound signs were scored based on their odds ratios, which were then used to evaluate the severity of gout and asymptomatic hyperuricaemia. The performance of the ultrasound score was validated in an additional population including 163 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia and 196 patients with gout. Results: Ultrasound signs were scored as follows: knee joint: synovial effusion, 2 points, tophus, 5 points; ankle joint: synovial effusion, 2 points, synovial hypertrophy, 5 points, tophus, 3 points, bone erosion, 7 points; and first MTP joint: double contour sign, 2 points, synovial hypertrophy, 3 points, tophus, 9 points, bone erosion, 4 points. The maximum possible total score was 42. The optimal cut-off score for gout was 6.5. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were 86.9%, 75.2% and 0.878, respectively. The patients were stratified according to their ultrasound score (range 0–42). The prevalence of intercritical gout, tophi, and bone erosion increased with the increase of the score. In the validation population, 83.20% of 193 patients with gout had ultrasound scores above 6.5; 76.10% of 163 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia had ultrasound scores under 6.5. Conclusion: The scoring system based on the differential ultrasound signs can effectively evaluate the severity of joint injury in individuals with gout and asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.

Anti Inflammatory effect of Bacopa Monnieri ( Brahmi) on Swollen Joints – A Case Study

The arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease characterized by Pain, edema and stiffness of the joints. Chronic stages of arthritis causes swelling in and around the affected joints. The Siddha herbal medicines are becoming familiar as they possess less adverse effects. Plenty of antiinflammatory herbs are described in Siddha system of medicine. The plant, bacopa monnieri maintains its original place in the management of various diseases, including arthritis, and acts as anti-inflammatory drug. Hardly a few studies are available to prove the antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory properties of Bacopa monnieri. In ancient Siddha literature Bacopa has been highlighted for its antiarthritic properties especially prescribed to reduce the swelling caused by increased synovial effusion. The current study is aimed to assess the antiarthritic and anti inflammatory properties of Bacopa (Brahmi) paste on swollen arthritic joints. A male patient aged 70 was selected from IPD, Pothu maruthuvam department, Sri Sairam Siddha Medical College & Research Center, Chennai -44. Bacopa Paste applied over swollen arthritic ankle joints showed good progress in very few days of treatment.

Clinical and radiographic changes of carpi, tarsi and interphalangeal joints of beef zebu bulls on semen collection regimen

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis are highly correlated to reproductive failure in bulls. This study aimed to evaluate the carpal, tarsal and interphalangeal lesions in beef zebu bulls on semen collection regimen. Twenty-one beef cattle bulls, in a total of forty-one animals, were split into three age-based groups: animals from two to four years old (GI), from more than four to eight years old (GII) and above eight years old (GIII). The clinical findings were conformational changes of limbs, synovial effusion, peripheral venous engorgement of joints and prolonged decubitus. The total population showed moderate clinical manifestation and radiographic score. The GIII presented more severe joint lesions. Carpi and tarsi regions had discrete to difuse osteophytosis, subchondral cysts, cartilaginous flaps, bone incongruence and fragmentation, osteitis, and ankylosis. Interphalangeal joints presented osteophytosis, distal phalanx osteitis and enthesophytosis. The digital radiographic examination allowed full identification of articular lesions and their clinical correspondences, besides the positive correlation between age, body weight and radiographic score.

Power Doppler Ultrasonography is an Important Technique in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Osteoarthritis Arthritis among Egyptians

Angiogenesis is controlled by a variety of angiogenesis modulators of which VEGF is one of the most important. The increased power Doppler (PD) signals determined by ultrasonography are an indirect marker of synovial vascularity in arthritis. The aim of this study was to identify the importance of the power Doppler technique in different form of arthritis, by finding relationships of the power Doppler sonography (PDS) score with synovial VEGF and US findings (effusion, thickness). 20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 20 ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 20 osteoarthritis (OA) patients with active knee arthritis were included. Synovial effusion, synovial hypertrophy, and PD signal scores were calculated in arthritic joints. Synovial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) fluid samples were studied. Comparisons between the groups were made; the synovial hypertrophy score and effusion scorewere significantly higher in RA and spondylarthritis than in OA. PD scores were significantly different between the groups. Synovial VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with RA and AS than in OA. Synovial effusion score and synovial hypertrophy score were positively correlated with VEGF levels. Also a significant correlation was found between PD score and VEGF, synovial effusion and thickness. In large joints like the knee, detecting PD signals alone was sufficient to assess the angiogenesis, and there were significant positive correlations with VEGF, effusion and thickness score. Therefore, when investigating knee arthritis, the PD technique should be employed.