Variants in interferon gamma inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) genes that modulate inflammatory response are associated with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the association of genetic variants of the interferon gamma inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) genes with periodontitis. METHODS: The study involved 117 individuals with periodontitis and 389 without periodontitis, all Brazilians, miscegenated. Individuals with periodontitis presented at least 4 teeth with ≥ 1 site with probing depth ≥ 4 mm; clinical attachment level ≥ 3 mm on the same site and bleeding upon stimulus. Genotyping was performed using the Infinium Multi-Ethnic AMR/AFR-8 Bead Chip focused on Hispanic and African American populations with approximately 2 million markers of the human genome. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify associations in additive, dominant and recessive models adjusted for covariates age, obesity, mouth breathing, flossing, asthma, and ancestry. RESULTS: In IFI16, the rs75985579-A is positively associated with periodontitis in the additive (Odds Ratio adjusted (ORadjusted) 2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.25-5.60, p value: 0.007) and dominant models (ORadjusted 2.56, 95%CI:1.13-5.81, p value: 0.017). In AIM2, the rs76457189-G, is associated negatively with periodontitis in two genetic models evaluated, additive (ORadjusted 0.21, 95%CI:0.05-0.94, p value: 0.022) and dominant (ORadjusted 0.21, 95%CI:0.05-0.94, p value: 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: These results have shown that variants in the IFI16 and AIM2 genes are associated with periodontitis. Individuals with at least one A (adenine) allele of the rs75985579 (IFI16) are more than twice as likely to have periodontitis, while individuals with the G (guanine) allele of rs76457189 (AIM2) are less likely to be diagnosed with periodontitis, providing a negative association with periodontitis.

Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is an inflammatory condition characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. The resolution of inflammation is an essential process to treat this condition. In this study we investigated the effect of Allium cepa L. extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on cytokine and on smooth muscle contraction in vitro and its therapeutic potential in a murine model of asthma. METHODS: AcE was obtained by maceration of Allium cepa L. and it was standardized in terms of quercetin concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, using AcE 10, 100 or 1000 µg/ml or Qt 3.5, 7.5, 15 µg/ml, we measured the concentration of cytokines in spleen cell culture supernatants, and the ability to relax tracheal smooth muscle from A/J mice. In vivo, Blomia tropicalis (BT)-sensitized A/J mice were treated with AcE 100, 1000 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg Qt. We measured cell influx in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lungs, serum levels of Bt-specific IgE, cytokines levels in BAL, and lung histology. RESULTS: We observed a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines, a relaxation of tracheal rings, and a reduction in total number of cells in BAL and EPO in lungs by treatment with AcE or Qt. CONCLUSION: AcE and Qt have potential as antiasthmatic drugs, as they possess both immunomodulatory and bronchodilatory properties.

Physical activity among patients from the Brasília cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: The 2012 Consensus of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR) for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) recommends that patients should regularly perform physical exercises. There have been no studies in Brazil on physical activity among patients with early RA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physical activity practice among patients with early RA and the possible association between physical activity, disease activity and functional disability. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients from the Brasilia cohort of early RA. Demographic data (sex, age and level of schooling), physical activity practice, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), functional disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ), as well as data on smoking status, alcohol consumption, comorbidities and RA treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were evaluated, 90.27% females, mean age 50.2 ± 13.3 years, mean DAS 28: 3.66 and HAQ: 0.69. Of them, 43.05% were regularly active, with walking being the most often practiced exercise (80.64%). The mean duration of exercise was 48.22 ± 27.18 min, with a frequency of 3.7 ± 1.64 times per week. There was no association between physical activity and gender, age, educational level, disease activity, functional disability, alcoholism or smoking, presence of comorbidities and treatment with drugs that alter the course of disease. CONCLUSION: Given the importance of regular physical activity practice, it is necessary to recommend it to patients, especially resistance physical activities, which are not frequent among the patients in our study.

Prática de atividade física entre pacientes da Coorte Brasília de artrite reumatoide inicial / Physical activity among patients from the Brasília cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUÇÃO: O Consenso 2012 da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia para Tratamento da Artrite Reumatoide (AR) recomenda que os pacientes realizem exercícios físicos de forma regular. Não há estudos no Brasil sobre a prática de atividade física entre pacientes com AR inicial. OBJETIVO: Investigar a prática de atividade física entre pacientes com AR inicial e a possível relação entre atividade física, atividade da doença e incapacidade funcional. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal incluindo pacientes da Coorte Brasília de AR inicial. Foram analisados dados demográficos (sexo, idade e escolaridade), prática de atividade física, índice de atividade da doença (Disease Activity Score 28 - DAS 28), incapacidade funcional (Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ), além de dados sobre tabagismo, etilismo, presença de comorbidades e tratamento da AR. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 72 pacientes, sendo 90,27% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 50,2 ± 13,3 anos, média do DAS 28: 3,66 e a do HAQ: 0,69. Estavam regularmente ativos 43,05%, sendo que a caminhada foi o exercício mais praticado (80,64%). A média de tempo de exercício físico foi de 48,22 ± 27,18 min, periodicidade de 3,7 ± 1,64 vezes na semana. Não houve associação entre atividade física com sexo, idade, escolaridade, atividade da doença, incapacidade funcional, tabagismo ou etilismo, presença de comorbidades e tratamento com drogas modificadoras do curso da doença. CONCLUSÃO: Dada a importância da prática regular de atividade física, há necessidade de orientação dos pacientes, em especial quanto à prática de atividades resistidas, pouco frequente entre os pacientes do nosso estudo.

INTRODUCTION: The 2012 Consensus of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR) for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) recommends that patients should regularly perform physical exercises. There have been no studies in Brazil on physical activity among patients with early RA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physical activity practice among patients with early RA and the possible association between physical activity, disease activity and functional disability. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients from the Brasilia cohort of early RA. Demographic data (sex, age and level of schooling), physical activity practice, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), functional disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ), as well as data on smoking status, alcohol consumption, comorbidities and RA treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were evaluated, 90.27% females, mean age 50.2 ± 13.3 years, mean DAS 28: 3.66 and HAQ: 0.69. Of them, 43.05% were regularly active, with walking being the most often practiced exercise (80.64%). The mean duration of exercise was 48.22 ± 27.18 min, with a frequency of 3.7 ± 1.64 times per week. There was no association between physical activity and gender, age, educational level, disease activity, functional disability, alcoholism or smoking, presence of comorbidities and treatment with drugs that alter the course of disease. CONCLUSION: Given the importance of regular physical activity practice, it is necessary to recommend it to patients, especially resistance physical activities, which are not frequent among the patients in our study.