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Biomedical subjects

P Oelzner

Publications and source records attributed to P Oelzner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Osteoprotegerin reduces the loss of periarticular bone mass in primary and secondary spongiosa but does not influence inflammation in rat antigen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of osteoprotegerin (OPG) on joint swelling, synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction, periarticular and axial bone volume, and bone turnover in rat antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). DESIGN: Rats were treated with OPG (3 mg/kg/day) at regular intervals from day 1 to day 20 of AIA. Disease activity was evaluated by measurement of joint swelling as well as, joint inflammation and destruction by histology. Bone volume and cellular turnover parameters of secondary spongiosa of the right tibia head and the third lumbar vertebra were evaluated by histomorphometry. Periarticular bone volume of the primary spongiosa at the right tibia head was measured by linear scanning. The findings were compared with those of PBS-treated AIA and healthy animals. RESULT: OPG treatment did not reduce joint swelling or histological signs of inflammation. Cartilage destruction was reduced. However, this effect did not reach statistical significance . In the secondary spongiosa OPG treatment reduced the loss of periarticular bone volume. However, the latter did not reach the level of healthy controls. OPG treatment significantly reduced parameters of bone formation and bone resorption. In the primary spongiosa, OPG-treatment led to a higher amount of mineralized tissue and a greater number of trabeculae compared to PBS-treated animals with AIA or healthy controls. In the axial skeleton, OPG treatment reduced bone formation and bone resorption parameters compared to healthy animals. This treatment had no influence on bone volume. CONCLUSIONS: In periarticular bone of AIA rats, OPG treatment reduced the loss of bone volume and decreased the bone turnover, thus preventing periarticular bone destruction. OPG treatment had no influence on inflammatory process or on cartilage destruction.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Anti-C1q antibodies and antiendothelial cell antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus - relationship with disease activity and renal involvement.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence and titre of antibodies against C1q (anti-C1q Ab) and disease activity and renal involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anti-C1q Ab were measured in 79 patients with SLE (70 women and 9 men; mean age 41.7 years; mean disease duration 8.4 years): 19 patients had active disease with lupus nephritis, 8 active disease without nephritis, 26 inactive disease with nephritis and 26 inactive disease without nephritis. Anti-dsDNA antibodies (EIA and immunofluorescence), antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA) and complement levels (C3, C4, total haemolytic complement activity) were determined in parallel. Anti-C1q Ab were positive in 49%, anti-dsDNA Ab in 61% and AECA in 19% of the patients, respectively. Significantly higher titres of anti-C1q Ab were found in patients with active disease compared with those with inactive SLE ( P < 0.01). Serum levels of anti-C1q Ab showed a positive correlation with anti-dsDNA Ab and SLEDAI score ( P < 0.01) and a negative correlation with C3 ( P < 0.05), C4 ( P < 0.01) and CH50U ( P < 0.01). The presence of anti-C1q Ab was not different between patients with or without nephritis. In patients with ( P < 0.05) and without nephritis ( P < 0.01) the frequency of anti-C1q Ab was significantly higher in active patients compared with inactive patients. Both anti-C1q and anti-ds-DNA Ab were detectable in 74% of patients with active nephritis but only in 30% of all other patients ( P=0.001). None of the patients with active nephritis was negative for anti-C1q and anti-dsDNA Ab, whereas 37% of the patients without active nephritis were negative for both antibodies ( P < 0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for active lupus nephritis among SLE patients were 100%, 50%, 51.9% and 100% for anti-dsDNA Ab (EIA) and 74%, 70%, 57% and 89.4% for positive findings of both anti-dsDNA and anti-C1q Ab. The presence and titre of anti-C1q-Ab in SLE are related to disease activity. Absence of anti-dsDNA Ab excludes active nephritis; positive findings of both anti-dsDNA Ab and anti-C1q Ab are of relatively high specificity for active nephritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Clinical manifestation of POEMS syndrome with features of connective tissue disease.

The POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, skin changes) syndrome is a rare plasma cell disease with multiorgan involvement and varying clinical manifestations. We report a 38-year-old man who presented with scleroderma-like skin changes of the hands and feet, sicca and Raynaud's syndrome, pleural effusions, glomerulopathy, polyneuropathy, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Steroid treatment was started on the assumption of a connective tissue disease and led to a temporary improvement. During the further course of the disease, hypothyreosis, monoclonal gammopathy and osteosclerotic bone lesions were detected, leading to the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome. This case emphasises the need to consider POEMS syndrome as a differential diagnosis in patients with signs of connective tissue disease and polyneuropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Ambulatory electrogastrography in patients with sclerodermia, delayed gastric emptying, dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Is there any clinical relevance?

Background: Changes in electrogastrographic parameters are described in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, sclerodermia, dyspepsia, and delayed gastric emptying in static measurements. However, no information is available about changes in ambulatory measurements. The objective of this study was to find parameters that discriminate between these diseases using cutaneous 24-h-electrogastrography. Methods: Cutaneous 24-h electrogastrography (EGG) measurements were taken from 20 patients with dyspepsia, 10 patients with systemic sclerosis (sclerodermia, SSc), 7 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 7 patients with delayed gastric emptying, and 10 healthy volunteers. Measurements were made using a DIGITRAPPER EGG (Synectics Medical Inc., Stockholm, Sweden) and the accompanying computerized data analysis package (ElectroGastroGram Version 6.30, Gastrosoft Inc., Synectics Medical Inc., Stockholm, Sweden). Frequency and power were compared pre- and postprandially, as well as during the entire day of measurement. Results: The 24-h measurements in healthy volunteers revealed 45.00%+/-12.12% normal values (2.4-3.7 cpm), 30.10%+/-7.15% bradygastric values (<2.4 cpm), and 24.20%+/-7.76% tachygastric values (>3.7 cpm). There was no significant change in frequency between rest and motion, but there was a significant increase in power (P<0.05). There was significantly more bradygastria in patients with dyspepsia periprandially as well as after 24 h (P<0.01) than in healthy volunteers. The mean power of patients with dyspepsia was significantly higher than that of patients with IBS (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cutaneous 24-h-EGG may be used as an additional means of differentiating between dyspepsia and IBS.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Pseudoainhum of all fingers associated with Reynolds' syndrome and breast cancer: report of a case and review of the literature.

Pseudoainhum is a rare disorder characterized by digital constrictions leading to autoamputation. We report a bilateral pseudoainhum of all fingers in a 64-year-old fair-skinned woman with breast cancer, systemic scleroderma, and primary biliary cirrhosis. The overlap between scleroderma and primary biliary cirrhosis with antimitochondrial antibodies M2 is also known as Reynolds' syndrome. Although pseudoainhum has been associated with many conditions, this particular association is exceptional and has yet not been described.

Ainhum↗
PubMed2001

Acquired nevoid telangiectasia.

BACKGROUND: Acquired nevoid telangiectasia (ANT) is a segmental dilatation of papillary plexus vessels. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the frequency of ANT and its associations with collagen vascular and spinal disease have been investigated. METHODS: 188 unselected patients, seen at an interdisciplinary dermatorheumatologic outpatient clinic, were clinically examined for the presence of ANT and possible associations to preexisting disease. RESULTS: ANT was seen in 17% of patients, all females. The mean age of ANT patients was 57.5 +/- 8.2 years. Most common diseases were lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. Twenty-four of them suffered from generalized fibromyalgia, 8 had spondylitis deformans, 1 suffered from thoracal syringomyelia and 1 had a spine trauma. Two types of ANT have been seen: the cervicothoracal transition type and the lumbosacral transition type. CONCLUSIONS: ANT is not uncommon among patients attending a dermatorheumatologic outpatient clinic. ANT indicates spinal or neuromuscular complaints, but is not related to collagen vascular disease itself.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

High-dose clodronate therapy prevents joint destruction in chronic antigen-induced arthritis of the rat but inhibits bone formation at the axial skeleton.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of clodronate on clinical disease activity, inflammatory alterations and cartilage destruction, periarticular and axial bone volume and bone turnover in chronic antigen-induced arthritis (AIA; day 28). METHODS: Rats with AIA were treated with clodronate (5 mg/kg/day continuously; 20 mg/kg/day intermittently or high-dose with 300 mg/kg 3 hours after arthritis induction +20 mg/kg/day continuously, respectively). Joint pathology was examined by histology. Bone volume and cellular turnover parameters of the right tibia head and the third lumbar vertebra were evaluated by histomorphometry. The findings were compared with those of healthy controls, sham-treated AIA and AIA treated continuously with 250 microg/kg of dexamethasone. RESULTS: All three therapy regimens with clodronate resulted in a significant reduction of joint swelling, histopathological inflammatory changes and cartilage destruction in comparison with sham-treated AIA. The antiinflammatory effect of high-dose clodronate was comparable with dexamethasone. The intermittent administration of 20 mg/kg/day of clodronate completely prevented periarticular bone loss by reduction of bone resorption without affecting bone formation at the periarticular and axial bone. Both continuous treatment with 5 mg/kg/day of clodronate and high-dose clodronate therapy partially prevented periarticular bone loss and reduced parameters of bone formation at the axial bone to values below those of healthy controls. CONCLUSION: High-dose clodronate therapy exerts an excellent preventive effect on clinical disease activity and on joint destruction in AIA. However, continuous treatment with high doses of clodronate may result in a low turnover state of bone remodelling.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Vitamin D metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis: findings--hypotheses--consequences].

Active vitamin D metabolites are not only involved in the regulation of bone metabolism but exerts immunomodulatory effects important in the regulation of inflammatory processes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a short-time treatment with 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol on both disease activity and bone metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effects of an adjuvant therapy with 1 microgram 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol over eight weeks on conventional parameters of disease activity (Ritchie index, duration of morning stiffness, C-reactive protein, ESR), serum levels of cytokines and soluble cytokine receptors (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-4, sIL-2R, sIL-6R) and parameters of bone metabolism (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, renal excretion of pyridinolin- and desoxypyridinolin-collagen-crosslinks, serum levels of parathormon, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and calcium, daily urinary calcium excretion) were investigated in 20 patients with RA. The treatment with 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol resulted in an insignificant decrease in the number of swollen and tender joints, morning stiffness, CRP and ESR. Furthermore, a non-significant decrease in serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and an increase in IL-4 was observed. The treatment led to a significant decrease of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.001), osteocalcin (p = 0.04) and renal excretion of pyridinolin-crosslinks (p = 0.022) and to an increase of both serum calcium (p = 0.01) and daily urinary calcium excretion (p = 0.004). The results of this pilot study in a small group of RA patients indicate that an adjuvant therapy with active vitamin D metabolites may not only have preventive effects on systemic bone loss but also may inhibit the inflammatory and destructive process in RA in a limited degree.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Periarticular bone alterations in chronic antigen-induced arthritis: free and liposome-encapsulated clodronate prevent loss of bone mass in the secondary spongiosa.

The long-term effects of acutely administered clodronate (free or liposome-encapsulated) on periarticular bone mass and bone turnover were investigated in chronic antigen-induced arthritis (AIA; day 28). Wistar rats were treated intraperitoneally at 3 h and on days 1, 2, and 7 of AIA, with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; sham), PBS-containing liposomes, free clodronate, or liposome-encapsulated clodronate (cumulative dose, 3.64 mg/animal). In the primary spongiosa (</=1 mm from the growth plate) sham-treated AIA was associated with a significant decrease (-31%) of trabecular bone volume only; this change was not prevented by any treatment. In the secondary spongiosa (>1.25 mm from the growth plate), sham-treated AIA was associated with: (a) a marked significant decrease in trabecular bone volume (-56%); (b) a significant increase of osteoid-covered surface (+135%); and (c) a numerical increase of resorption surface with osteoclasts (+96%). In the secondary spongiosa, free clodronate completely prevented the loss of periarticular bone mass and selectively normalized the parameters of bone formation (i.e., osteoid-covered surface and osteoid-covered surface with osteoblasts). Clodronate liposomes, in addition to these effects, also significantly suppressed bone resorption (i.e., resorption surface covered with osteoclasts). The effects of clodronate liposomes coincided with in vivo targeting of osteoclasts in primary and secondary spongiosa. Thus, low-dose, acutely administered clodronate, both in free and encapsulated forms, exerts an excellent preventive effect on bone loss in the secondary spongiosa of chronic AIA.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed1999

[Nail changes in rheumatic disease].

Clinically the nail organ ist easy to investigate. When estimating dermato-rheumatological diseases, knowledge of important associated nail symptoms is extremely helpful. In some diseases like osteoarthropathia psoriatica and special variants, Reiter's syndrome and connective tissue disease, typical or even characteristic symptoms can be found. In other disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, goal and systemic vasculitis, associated nail disorders are not uncommon, but of less diagnostic specificity. We review data from the literature and from our dermato-rheumatological outpatient clinic.

Collagen Diseases↗
PubMed1999

[Progressive systemic sclerosis - treatment results of extracorporeal photopheresis].

The treatment of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is still unsatisfactory. We report on clinical, laboratory and immunological findings in 26 patients with PSS (6 males, 20 women) treated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for 8 cycles in a nonrandomized, uncontrolled study. ECP was performed on two consecutive days once a month. 8-methoxypsoralen concentrations in plasma and buffy coat were monitored by HPLC. We performed a standardized examination programme and determined parameters of inflammation and immune function. Global assessment revealed a partial remission in 18 patients, a stable disease in 8 patients and a slight progression in one patient. In the peripheral blood count a significant increase of CD3-positive NK cells was noted (p=0.03) although the leukocyte count decreased from 2,255 to 1,156 cells/microl. There was a non-significant decrease of elastase (102. 9 vs. 90.4 ng/ml), sulfidoleukotriens (2,255.4 vs. 1,688.9 pg/ml), ICAM-1 (301.9 vs. 276.6 ng/ml), soluble IL-2 receptor (609.0 vs. 422. 3 U/ml), and IL-10 (164.7 vs. 138.7 pg/ml). IL-6 and IL-8 did not show significant changes. The ECP treatment of patients with PSS shows immunomodulatory effects changing levels of pro-inflammatory and cytokine substances. Even after 8 cycles partial remission or stable disease is seen in patients as shown by global assessment and certain clinical symptoms. On the other hand, sufficient data on the long-term outcome are still missing.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Lupus erythematosus-associated red lunula.

BACKGROUND: Red lunulae have only rarely been described in patients with lupus erythematosus. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the frequency and classified the type of red lunulae in patients with definite lupus erythematosus seen in an interdisciplinary dermatorheumatologic outpatient clinic. METHODS: We studied 56 patients with either systemic or cutaneous lupus erythematosus for the presence of red lunulae. RESULTS: Eleven of 56 patients (19.6%) with lupus erythematosus had red lunulae. All of them showed a complete type of red lunulae, which was seen on all finger nails in 10 patients and on a single finger nail in 1 patient. Seven patients suffered from systemic lupus, the other from subacute cutaneous (n = 2) or chronic discoid cutaneous lupus (n = 2). There was no statistically significant difference in autoantibody expression or treatment regimen between patients with or without red lunulae. However, symptomatic patients had a shorter disease interval, and all but 1 showed either periungual erythema or chilblain lupus. Periungual erythema was not observed in any patient without red lunulae. CONCLUSION: Red lunulae, although rarely described in the literature, are not an uncommon symptom of patients with lupus erythematosus. They seem to be associated with periungual erythema or chilblain lupus. Red lunulae should be considered in the clinical spectrum of lupus disease.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between soluble markers of immune activation and bone turnover in post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Regarding interactions between pro-inflammatory cytokines and bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we investigated the relationship between the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r), C-reactive protein (CRP), the vitamin D metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) as well as serum and urinary parameters of bone turnover in 74 post-menopausal women with RA. RESULTS: SIL-2r correlated negatively with 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.01), whereas IL-6 showed a positive correlation with urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline collagen cross-links (P < 0.01). 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.01) and iPTH (P < 0.01) were negatively related to CRP, whereas the urinary excretion of pyridinoline (P < 0.01) and deoxypyridinoline (P < 0.01)-collagen cross-links showed a positive correlation with CRP. 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < 0.01) and iPTH (P < 0.05) were positively related to bone alkaline phosphatase as a marker of osteoblast function. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that IL-6 is a critical determinant of increased bone resorption in post-menopausal RA women with high disease activity and that serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 are inversely related to T-cell activation.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Relationship between disease activity and serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and PTH in rheumatoid arthritis.

In several studies on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an association of bone loss with a persistently high disease activity has been found. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between disease activity and serum levels of vitamin D metabolites, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and parameters of bone turnover in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 96 patients (83 women and 13 men) were divided into three groups according to disease activity measured by serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). In the whole group, serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) (P < 0.001) and PTH (P < 0.05) were negatively correlated to disease activity. The urinary excretion of collagen crosslinks--pyridinoline (Pyd) (P < 0.001) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) (P < 0.05)--showed a positive correlation with disease activity. The inverse correlation between serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and disease activity was separately evident in patients with (P < 0.001) and without (P < 0.01) glucocorticoid treatment, in pre- (P < 0.01) and postmenopausal (P < 0.001) women, and in men (P < 0.01). 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH serum levels were positively correlated to serum bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P < 0.01). The results indicate that high disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an alteration in vitamin D metabolism and increased bone resorption. The decrease of 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in these patients may contribute to a negative calcium balance and inhibition of bone formation. Furthermore, low levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 as an endogenous immunomodulator suppressing activated T cells and the proliferation of cells may accelerate the arthritic process in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent↗