Showing papers by "Shigeki Momohara published in 2004"

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in serum and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis: potential use as a marker for joint cartilage damage

Abstract: This study examined the serum and synovial fluid concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in relation to the evolution of joint cartilage damage and the requirement for surgery in 125 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels with COMP levels determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were divided into three groups: (1) patients with least erosive disease (LES); (2) patients with more erosive disease (MES); and (3) patients with mutilating disease (MUD). In addition, synovial fluid samples were collected from patients undergoing arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee joint (ASS) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Serum COMP levels correlated with the ESR (P < 0.0001, r = 0.374, n = 125) and the CRP level (P = 0.0014, r = 0.281, n = 125). COMP levels did not correlate with the MMP-3 level (P = 0.182, r = 0.114, n = 125). The COMP levels of the LES group were significantly lower than those of the MES or MUD groups. Lastly, synovial fluid COMP levels in the TKA group were higher than in the ASS group. Therefore, these findings suggest that serum and synovial fluid COMP levels in patients with RA may reflect cartilage destruction and are correlated with the ESR and the CRP level, which are indicators of the acute-phase response.

Circulating COMP is decreased in pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia patients carrying COMP mutations.

Abstract: Mutations in the gene encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) cause two common skeletal dysplasias, pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). At present, diagnosis of these diseases is based primarily on clinical and radiographic findings and is sometimes erroneous, particularly in adult patients. However, genetic diagnosis is difficult, because COMP mutations are scattered throughout the gene and five additional disease genes for MED exist. There is evidence that circulating COMP may serve as a molecular indicator of a variety of diseases affecting cartilage. Therefore, we investigated plasma COMP concentrations in 21 patients with PSACH or MED. Of these, six PSACH and seven MED patients carried COMP mutations, and the remaining eight MED patients lacked mutations in COMP. We observed significantly decreased plasma COMP levels in patients with COMP mutations compared with controls (P < 0.0001). In addition, plasma COMP levels were significantly decreased in MED patients carrying mutations in COMP relative to those who lacked COMP mutations (P = 0.001). Our results indicate that circulating COMP levels reflect genetic abnormalities in COMP, providing an easier, more rapid and cost-efficient method for diagnosing PSACH and particularly for MED.

Clinical and radiological manifestations of the rheumatoid wrist after the Sauvé–Kapandji procedure

Abstract: A retrospective study was performed to investigate the clinical and radiological results of the Sauve–Kapandji (S–K) procedure for the rheumatoid wrist. One hundred and eight rheumatoid wrists in 98 patients were operated on in our institute from 1992 to 2000, and in 82 wrists we used the S–K procedure. In other cases, synovectomy alone was performed on 16 wrists, and partial and total arthrodeses were performed concurrently on 5 wrists each. Carpal bones and/or radiocarpal joints in which the union could not be assessed radiologically were found in 49 wrists (59.8%) after the S–K procedure, and among them there was definite nonfusion of the carpal bone and radiocarpal joints in 29 wrists (35.4%). However, definite fusion of carpal bones and/or radiocarpal joints was found in 33 wrists (40.2%). The formation of carpal bones and partial radiocarpal fusion with some mobility was detected in some cases. Therefore, the S–K procedure may stabilize the carpus in the rheumatoid wrist to some extent while maintaining a functionally important range of motion and relieving pain. However, it does not stop the disease process and cannot reestablish or maintain carpal height. We concluded that the S–K procedure is the treatment of choice for the rheumatoid wrist, and if the wrist is unstable, as seen with arthritis mutilans, we then perform either radiolunate partial arthrodesis or total wrist arthrodesis.

The pathology and evaluation of surgical treatment in a ruptured giant popliteal/crural cyst associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Popliteal cysts are often observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and giant cysts that extend from the popliteal to the crural region (popliteal/crural cysts) are occasionally encountered. We studied the background of popliteal/crural cysts and therapeutic results, and evaluated its etiologic factors and the effectiveness of surgical treatment. Nine knees of eight patients with popliteal/crural cyst secondary to RA, which was treated surgically because it resisted conservative treatment, and was followed up for 1 year or longer after surgery, were evaluated. The patients were five men and three women, with a mean age at surgery of 59.1 years and a mean duration of RA disease of 4.5 years. Only one male patient suffered pain in the bilateral joints. The mean level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 61.3mm/h (range 3.9–100.2), the mean level of C-reactive protein was 3.6 (0.1–8.2) mg/dl, and the mean Lansbury index was 36.4 (12–61) at surgery. The cyst disappeared completely after surgery, and the postoperative course was uneventful in eight knees, but recurrence was observed in just one knee of the bilateral case. However, in this patient the cyst that recurred was not as large as the one before surgery, and it was eventually brought under control by subsequent outpatient medical management. Inflammatory reactions were suppressed, if temporarily, in all patients. The patients evaluated in this study showed the following characteristics: the male–female ratio of the patients was biased to males compared with that of RA patients in general; although knee joint damage was radiographically mild, marked symptoms of arthritis were observed in not only the knees but also other joints in all patients; and the disease could not be controlled effectively by medication. However, after surgical resection of the cysts, general as well as local signs of inflammation were mitigated, and surgery was considered to be very effective for the treatment of ruptured giant popliteal/crural cyst associated with RA.

Method for screening remedy for rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for screening a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis and to provide a medicinal composition for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on a new action mechanism. SOLUTION: The inventors found that DGPP1S protein, DGPP1L protein, DGPP2S protein and DGPP2L protein have phosphatase activity and the polypeptide expresses and enhances in vascular endothelium of synovial membrane tissue of human RA patient. Further, the inventors found that inhibition of expression of DGPP1S protein and DGPP1L protein brings about inhibition of vascular endothelial growth. The present invention established and provided a method of screening a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis by selecting an inhibitor for DGPP1S protein and DGPP1L protein and/or an inhibitor for DGPP2S protein and DGPP2L protein, because it is thought that vascularization in synovial membrane tissue involves progress of morbid state. The present invention provided, further, a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis comprising the above inhibitor as the active ingredient. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT