Phototherapy Induces an Improvement in Clinical and Biochemical Scores in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

ABSTRACT Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease for which there is no known cure. Ultraviolet light can induce immunosuppressive effects. Our main objective was to ascertain whether a complementary treatment with phototherapy would improve changes in functional scales in patients with RA. Methods: Seven women with RA were enrolled for this study and submitted to phototherapy sessions with a 425-650 nm lamp. Results: The Karnofsky scale changed from requiring frequent medical care to being capable of normal activity with few symptoms or signs of disease (p = 0.018), the rheumatoid arthritis-specific quality of life questionnaire decreased abruptly from 29 to 0 points (p = 0.018), the Steinbrocker functional capacity rating changed from limited to little or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care to complete ability to carry out all the usual duties without handicaps (p = 0.017). The pain was remitted after the treatment period. The acute inflammation variables showed a significant decrease after the indicated sessions, C-reactive protein (p = 0.042) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The evaluated scales clearly show a benefit with the phototherapy in patients with RA. Thus, phototherapy seems to be a plausible complementary option to reduce the symptoms of RA.

Evaluation of the Effect of 1,3-Bis(4-Phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-Triazolyl-2-Propanolol on Gene Expression Levels of JAK2-STAT3, NF-κB, and SOCS3 in Cells Cultured from Biopsies of Mammary Lesions.

Breast cancer is the most frequent neoplasia in women and is responsible for approximately 13.8% of deaths per year for this gender. It has been suggested that JAK2, STAT3, and NF-κB gene expression is involved in this type of cancer. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of bistriazole in these signaling pathways in patients with breast cancer and benign mammary lesions. The inhibitory concentration 50 of bistriazole was calculated in cell cultures of patients with benign lesions, Probit = 4.6 µM with IC = 95%. The study was performed by examining 63 women who submitted to mammary biopsies. Biopsies of the mammary lesions were performed, gene expression was determined, and cells were cultured in the presence of 4.6 µM bistriazole. We found that breast cancer is related to age greater than 50 (P ≤ 0.01), being overweight (P ≤ 0.023) and having a waist circumference larger than 80 cm (P ≤ 0.01). The gene expression of JAK2, STAT3, and NF-κB was higher in groups of patients with breast cancer, while SOCS3 expression was lower. After being exposed to bistriazole, the expression of JAK2 and STAT3 decreased, and the expression of SOCS3 and NF-κB increased. In conclusion, this molecule in development has an effect on the gene expression of JAK3 and STAT3; nevertheless, the lack of change in NF-κB indicates that it is not a regulator of inflammation, and therefore, more studies should be performed.