Mice Selected for Acute Inflammation Present Altered Immune Response during Pristane-Induced Arthritis Progression

Mouse lines selected for maximal (AIRmax) or minimal acute inflammatory reaction (AIRmin) were used to characterize the immune response and the influence of genetic background during pristane-induced arthritis (PIA). Susceptible AIRmax mice demonstrated exacerbated cellular profiles during PIA, with intense infiltration of lymphocytes, as well as monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, producing higher levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, total IgG3, and chemokines. Resistant AIRmin mice controlled cell activation more efficiently than the AIRmax during arthritis progression. The weight alterations of the spleen and thymus in the course of PIA were observed. Our data suggest that selected AIRmax cellular and genetic immune mechanisms contribute to cartilage damage and arthritis severity, evidencing many targets for therapeutic actions

Esofagomanometria e pHmetria esofágica de 24 h em uma ampla amostra de pacientes com manifestações respiratórias Esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry in a large sample of patients with respiratory symptoms

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) e avaliar o perfil motor esofágico de portadores de manifestações respiratórias encaminhados para avaliação funcional esofágica em um serviço de referência em motilidade digestiva. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os resultados de esofagomanometria e de pHmetria esofágica de 24 h. O critério de inclusão foi a presença de sintomas respiratórios, acompanhados ou não de sintomas digestivos. RESULTADOS: Dos 1.170 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 602 (51,5%) relataram manifestações digestivas associadas às respiratórias (grupo MRD) e 568 (48,5%), apenas respiratórias (grupo MR). A asma foi diagnosticada em 142 indivíduos no grupo MR (subgrupo MR-A) e em 201 no grupo MRD (subgrupo MRD-A). Dentre os 346 casos de dismotilidade do corpo esofágico, a hipomotilidade esteve presente em 175 (14,3% e 15,6%, respectivamente, no grupos MRD e MR) e hipotonia do esfíncter esofágico inferior (EEI) em 411 (40.3% e 30,2% nos mesmos grupos, respectivamente). A hipotonia se correlacionou com DRGE. A exposição do esôfago distal ao ácido foi marcadamente anormal no período de decúbito. A prevalência de DRGE na amostra total, nos subgrupos MR-A/MRD-A e somente no subgrupo MR-A foi de 39,8%, 44,0% e 35,2%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: A hipotonia do EEI foi a alteração manométrica preponderante, correlacionando-se com DRGE. Embora a DRGE foi mais evidente no grupo MRD, aproximadamente um terço dos pacientes do grupo MR apresentou DRGE (DRGE silencioso). Os achados sugerem a DRGE como possível causa extrapulmonar de sintomas respiratórios crônicos não responsivos à terapêutica convencional.<br>OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to evaluate the esophageal motor profile of patients with respiratory symptoms referred to a digestive motility referral center for esophageal function testing. METHODS: The results of esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry were analyzed.The inclusion criterion was presenting respiratory symptoms, with or without accompanying digestive symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 1,170 patients included in the study, 602 (51.5%) reported having digestive and respiratory symptoms (DRS group), and 568 (48.5%) reported having only respiratory symptoms (RS group). Asthma was diagnosed in 142 patients in the RS group (RS-A subgroup) and in 201 of those in the DRS group (DRS-A). Of the 346 cases of esophageal dysmotility, hypomotility was found in 175 (14.3% and 15.6% in the DRS and RS groups, respectively), and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) hypotonia was found in 411 (40.3% and 30.2%, respectively). Hypotonia correlated with GERD. Exposure of the distal esophagus to acid was markedly abnormal in the supine position. The prevalence of GERD in the sample as a whole, the RS-A/DRS-A subgroups and the RS-A subgroup alone was 39.8%, 44.0% and 35.2%, respectively CONCLUSIONS: Hypotonic LES was the most common abnormality and correlated with GERD. Although GERD was more evident in the DRS group, approximately one third of the patients in the RS group also presented GERD (silent GERD). The findings suggest that GERD can be an extrapulmonary cause of chronic respiratory symptoms unresponsive to conventional therapy