mapping-knowledge-landscape-muscle-disorders-rheumatoid-arthritis

Mapping the Knowledge Landscape of Muscle Disorders in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Bibliometric and Bioinformatics Study

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications related to the comorbidity between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Muscle Disorders, sourced ...

China-Japan friendship hospital

To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Wang-Bi tablets (WBTs), a Chinese patented medicine, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

"Wang-Bi tablet, a patented Chinese medicine, maintains the balance of Th1/Th2 in mice with collagen-induced arthritis".

Total flavonoids of  (TFRD) have been shown to have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis (OA) clinically, but the mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of TFRD on articular cartilage in an OA rat model established by the Hulth method and in SW1353 chondrocytes induced by the proinflammatory factor interleukin-1 (IL-1). The results showed that TFRD could alleviate the pathological changes in knee cartilage in OA model rats. In vivo, the qPCR analysis indicated that the mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13, were decreased, while tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases- (TIMP-) 4 was increased in cartilage, and these changes could be partially prevented by TFRD. In vitro experiments showed that IL-1 could significantly increase the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 and decrease the expression of TIMP-4 in SW1353 cells at the mRNA and protein levels. TFRD could increase the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and decrease the expression of TIMP-4. Transfection of siRNA and addition of pathway inhibitors were used to clarify that inhibition of NF- and PI3K/AKT pathway decreased MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 and increased TIMP-4 expression. We also found that in IL-1-induced SW1353 cells, TFRD pretreatment had a modest inhibitory effect on p-AKT (Ser473) and reversed the increase of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-) p65 in nuclear fraction and the decrease of inhibitor of NF-()- in the cytosolic fraction. Further immunofluorescence confirmed that TFRD can inhibit IL-1-induced NF- p65 translocation to the nucleus to some extent. In conclusion, TFRD showed chondroprotective effects by restoring the MMP/TIMP balance in OA models by suppressing the activation of the NF- and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae Restore the MMP/TIMP Balance in Models of Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting the Activation of the NF- and PI3K/AKT Pathways.

Rhizoma Drynariae has been widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), but its potential targets and molecular mechanisms remain to be further explored. Targets of Rhizoma Drynariae and OA were predicted by relevant databases, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify key targets. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was performed to obtain related pathways and then select significant pathways associated with OA. The OA chondrocyte model was established by inflammatory factor-induced SW1353 chondrocytes, and molecular docking was conducted to verify the above theoretical prediction. The results showed that a total of 86 Rhizoma Drynariae-OA interaction targets were identified, among which IL-6 and AKT1 were the key targets in the PPI network. Luteolin was the most critical component of Rhizoma Drynariae. KEGG results indicated that the effects of Rhizoma Drynariae on OA are associated with the PI3K/AKT, TNF, IL-17, apoptosis, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. The PI3K/AKT pathway can activate the downstream NF-B pathway and further regulate the transcription and expression of downstream IL-6, IL-17, HIF-1, Bax, and TNF, suggesting that the PI3K/AKT/NF-B pathway is the critical pathway in the treatment of OA with Rhizoma Drynariae. Active components of Rhizoma Drynariae and key proteins of the PI3K/AKT/NF-B signaling pathway were subjected to molecular docking, whose results showed that luteolin and IKK- played a critical role. In vitro experiments indicated that both aqueous extracts of Rhizoma Drynariae (AERD) and luteolin inhibited the expression of IL-6 and HIF-1 and suppressed the activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-B, IL-17, and TNF pathways. The measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δm) indicated that AERD and luteolin can decrease the LPS-induced early apoptotic cells. Luteolin had a more prominent inhibitory effect than AERD in the abovementioned in vitro experiments. In conclusion, the therapeutic mechanism of Rhizoma Drynariae against OA may be closely related to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/NF-B pathway and downstream pathways, and luteolin plays a vital role in the treatment.

Prediction of Rhizoma Drynariae Targets in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. However, the key inflammatory cytokines disrupted in this disease are not well defined. In this study, we performed protein array and multiple protein quantification to investigate the differentially expressed cytokines in plasma between AS patients and healthy subjects.

Leukemia inhibitory factor is dysregulated in ankylosing spondylitis and contributes to bone formation.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory and systemic autoimmune disease resulting in severe joint destruction, lifelong suffering and considerable disability. Diverse prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing  (EH) achieve greatly curative effects against RA. The present review aims to systemically summarize the therapeutic effect, pharmacological mechanism, bioavailability and safety assessment of EH to provide a novel insight for subsequent studies. The search terms included were "", "yinyanghuo", "arthritis, rheumatoid" and "Rheumatoid Arthritis", and relevant literatures were collected on the database such as Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science and CNKI. In this review, 15 compounds from EH for the treatment of RA were summarized from the aspects of anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, cartilage and bone protective, antiangiogenic and antioxidant activities. Although EH has been frequently used to treat RA in clinical practice, studies on mechanisms of these activities are still scarce. Various compounds of EH have the multifunctional traits in the treatment of RA, so EH may be a great complementary medicine option and it is necessary to pay more attention to further research and development.

: An ancient Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibroblast-activated protein-α (FAP) is a type II integrated serine protease expressed by activated fibroblasts during fibrosis or inflammation. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial sites abundantly and stably overexpress FAP and play important roles in regulating the cellular immune, inflammatory, invasion, migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis responses in the synovial region. Overexpression of FAP is regulated by the initial inflammatory microenvironment of the disease and epigenetic signaling, which promotes RA development by regulating FLSs or affecting the signaling cross-linking FLSs with other cells at the local synovium and inflammatory stimulation. At present, several treatment options targeting FAP are in the process of development. This review discusses the basic features of FAP expressed on the surface of FLSs and its role in RA pathophysiology and advances in targeted therapies.

Role and mechanism of fibroblast-activated protein-α expression on the surface of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disease that can cause swelling and sclerosis of the extremities, and special attention is needed to differentiate EF from systemic sclerosis. Misdiagnosis or omission markedly delays treatment of EF, and severe skin sclerosis in advanced stages can cause joint contracture and tendon retraction, worsening the patient's prognosis and quality of life.

Eosinophilic fasciitis difficult to differentiate from scleroderma: A case report.

To analyze individually and interactively critical risk factors, which are closely related to low bone mineral density (BMD) in patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Interaction effects of significant risk factors on low bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis.

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of Wangbi Tablets(WBT) on the inflammation in the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) with the syndrome of kidney deficiency based on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway. Eighteen rats were randomly chosen from 24 SPF-grade rats for the modeling of CIA with the syndrome of kidney deficiency. The 24 SPF-grade rats were randomized into 4 groups: control(normal rats), model(CIA with syndrome of kidney deficiency), model+WBT(M+WBT), and model+methotrexate(M+MTX). The syndrome score of kidney deficiency and arthritis index were recorded. The serum levels of interleukin-18(IL-18) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin staining and safranin O-fast green staining were employed to observe the pathological status of ankle joints, synovium, and cartilage. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was used to detect the expression of polymerase beta(Polβ) and cGAS in rats. The protein levels of polymerase beta(Polβ), cGAS, STING, phospho-STING(p-STING), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), phospho-NF-κB(p-NF-κB), interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3), gasdermin-D(GSDMD), GSDMD N-terminus(GSDMD-NT), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1) were determined by Western blot. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(Tunel) was employed to examine the apoptosis in the articular joints of rats. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group showed obvious symptoms and signs of kidney deficiency and arthritis. The ankle joint deformity, mental condition, and coat color were improved by WBT. Compared with the model group, WBT alleviated the symptoms and signs of kidney deficiency and arthritis. Compared with the control group, the modeling elevated the serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β, which were reduced by WBT, especially the level of IL-18. Compared with the control group, the model group showed a large number of inflammatory cells and damage of the cartilage layer in ankle joint, while WBT alleviated the pathological damage. Compared with the control group, the modeling significantly up-regulated the protein levels of cGAS, IRF3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, caspase-1, and cleaved-caspase-1 and slightly up-regulated the protein levels of p-STING/STING, GSDMD, and GSDMD-NT. Compared with the model group, WBT significantly up-regulated the protein level of Polβ, significantly down-regulated the protein levels of cGAS, IRF3, GSDMD, and GSDMD-NT, and caspase-1, and slightly down-regulated the protein levels of p-STING/STING, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, and cleaved-caspase-1. Compared with the control group, the model group demonstrated decreased apoptosis in the ankle joint, synovium, and neovascularized endothelium, while WBT mitigated these situations. In conclusion, WBT has a therapeutic effect on CIA rats with the syndrome of kidney deficiency. Specifically, WBT may up-regulate the expression of Polβ in the ankle joint and inhibit the cGAS-STING signaling pathway to down-regulate the expression of executive protein of pyroptosis and reduce the release of cytokines, thus inhibiting inflammation and slowing down the progression of bone destruction.

[Wangbi Tablets reduce inflammation in rat model of collagen-induced arthritis with syndrome of kidney deficiency by regulating cGAS-STING signaling pathway].

To observe how osteoarthritis (OA) and degree of fatigue affect are associated with pain levels in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Osteoarthritis and Degree of Fatigue are Associated with Pain Levels in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of 394 Patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are two common chronic pain disorders which complicate diagnosis and treatment. However, the pathological mechanisms, epidemiological characteristics, and research trends in comorbidities have not yet been systematically reviewed.

Article	Year
"Wang-Bi tablet, a patented Chinese medicine, maintains the balance of Th1/Th2 in mice with collagen-induced arthritis". Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan\| PubMed ID: 32506853
Total Flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae Restore the MMP/TIMP Balance in Models of Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting the Activation of the NF- and PI3K/AKT Pathways. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM\| PubMed ID: 33995548	2021
Prediction of Rhizoma Drynariae Targets in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM\| PubMed ID: 34840589	2021
Leukemia inhibitory factor is dysregulated in ankylosing spondylitis and contributes to bone formation. International journal of rheumatic diseases\| PubMed ID: 35238474
: An ancient Chinese herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Frontiers in chemistry\| PubMed ID: 36465876	2022
Role and mechanism of fibroblast-activated protein-α expression on the surface of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. Frontiers in immunology\| PubMed ID: 37006278	2023
Eosinophilic fasciitis difficult to differentiate from scleroderma: A case report. World journal of clinical cases\| PubMed ID: 37215414	2023
Interaction effects of significant risk factors on low bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis. PeerJ\| PubMed ID: 38025753	2023
[Wangbi Tablets reduce inflammation in rat model of collagen-induced arthritis with syndrome of kidney deficiency by regulating cGAS-STING signaling pathway]. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica\| PubMed ID: 39701683	2024
Osteoarthritis and Degree of Fatigue are Associated with Pain Levels in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of 394 Patients. International journal of general medicine\| PubMed ID: 39906173	2025
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Bibliometric and Bioinformatics Perspective on Comorbidity Research. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare\| PubMed ID: 41142638	2025

Zeran Yan

Biography

JoVE Journal Publications

Other Publications