rome and Scleroderma--Systemic

Atmospheric air pollution has been associated with a range of adverse health effects. The environment plays a causative role in the development of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The aim of the present study is to explore the association between particulate (PM

Topics: Adult; Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Benzene; Carbon Monoxide; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Humans; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Particulate Matter; Rome; Scleroderma, Systemic

The aim of this study was to investigate if co-morbid conditions as hepatitis C virus infection and celiac disease may be associated to undifferentiated connective tissue disease.. We studied retrospectively and prospectively 52 patients with diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease, subdivided, according to Vaz criteria, in systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and Sjögren's syndrome-like subgroups. Serological markers of celiac disease as anti-gliadin, anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were investigated. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy with duodenal biopsy and histological examination was proposed to patients with positive celiac disease serology. In addition antibodies directed to hepatitis C virus and total IgA-antibodies were investigated.. Six patients (11,5%) were positive for celiac disease serological tests although two of them were asymptomatic. Four patients underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, showing total or subtotal villous atrophy at duodenal biopsies. Hepatitis C virus serology was negative in all patients and none had IgA deficiency. 83% of celiac patients showed a scleroderma-like phenotype. We observed a statistically higher incidence of autoimmune symptoms in patients with gluten sensitivity. Fatigue and myalgia regressed early after the beginning of gluten-free diet.. In our cohort of patients the prevalence of celiac disease was higher than that reported in the general population. We believe that all patients with diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease, especially those with a systemic sclerosis-like presentation, should be investigated for celiac disease, even in absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Gluten-free diet should be early recommended to all patients having undifferentiated connective tissue disease and gluten sensitivity.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Celiac Disease; Comorbidity; Connective Tissue Diseases; Diet, Gluten-Free; Duodenum; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Female; Hepatitis C; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Rome; Scleroderma, Systemic; Serologic Tests; Sjogren's Syndrome; Young Adult

β-thymosins play roles in cytoskeleton rearrangement, angiogenesis, fibrosis and reparative process, thus suggesting a possible involvement in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of thymosins β4, β4 sulfoxide, and β10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease and the relation of these factors with pulmonary functional and radiological parameters.. β-thymosins concentrations were determined by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of 46 scleroderma patients with lung involvement and of 15 controls.. Thymosin β4, β4 sulfoxide, and β10 were detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients and controls. Thymosin β4 levels were significantly higher in scleroderma patients than in controls. In addition, analyzing the progression of scleroderma lung disease at one-year follow-up, we have found that higher thymosin β4 levels seem to have a protective role against lung tissue damage. Thymosin β4 sulfoxide levels were higher in the smokers and in the scleroderma patients with alveolitis.. We describe for the first time β-thymosins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of scleroderma lung disease. Thymosin β4 seems to have a protective role against lung tissue damage, while its oxidation product mirrors an alveolar inflammatory status.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Case-Control Studies; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; Rome; Scleroderma, Systemic; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Thymosin; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vital Capacity