Decreased Gelsolin Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Teresia M. Osborn, Margareta Verdrengh, Thomas P. Stossel, Andrej Tarkowski, Maria Bokarewa
Primary Institution: University of Gothenburg
Hypothesis
Plasma gelsolin levels are reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy controls.
Conclusion
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have significantly lower levels of plasma gelsolin compared to healthy individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Circulating plasma gelsolin levels were significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy controls.
- Patients' intra-articular plasma gelsolin levels were also significantly lower than in paired plasma samples.
- Actin was detected in the synovial fluids of all but four of the patients.
Takeaway
People with rheumatoid arthritis have less of a protein called gelsolin in their blood, which might help explain some of their symptoms.
Methodology
Plasma gelsolin levels were measured in 78 rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared with 62 healthy controls using a functional assay.
Limitations
The study does not definitively rule out the possibility of decreased production or enzymatic degradation of gelsolin.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 47 with erosive RA and 31 with non-erosive RA, with a mean age of 61.2 years for erosive and 54.2 years for non-erosive.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0002
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website