Rheumatoid arthritis lipoprotein

Although atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are distinct disease states, both disorders are chronic inflammatory conditions and may have common mechanisms of disease perpetuation. At sites of inflammation, such as the arterial intima undergoing atherogen-esis or the rheumatoid joint, oxygen radicals, in the presence of transition-metal ions, may initiate the peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to produce oxidatively modified LDL (ox-LDL). Ox-LDL has several pro-inflammatory properties and may contribute to the formation of arterial lesions (Steinberg et /., 1989). Increased levels of lipid peroxidation products have been detected in inflammatory synovial fluid (Rowley et /., 1984 Winyard et al., 1987a Merry et al., 1991 Selley et al., 1992 detailed below), but the potential pro-inflammatory role of ox-LDL in the rheumatoid joint has not been considered. We hypothesize that the oxidation of LDL within the inflamed rheumatoid joint plays a pro-inflammatory role just as ox-LDL has the identical capacity within the arterial intima in atherosclerosis. 

Lipoprotein (a), lipids, and lipoproteins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 50, 366-368. 

Winyard, P.G., Tatzber, F., Esterbauer, H., Kus, M.L., Blake, D.R. and Morris, C.J. (1993). Presence of foam cells containing oxidised low density lipoprotein in the synovial membrane from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 52, 677-680. 

R2. Rantapaa-Dahlqvist, S., Wallberg-Jonsson, S., and Dahlqvist, S., Wallberg-Jonsson, S., and Dahlen, G. H., Lipoprotein(a) lipids, and lipoproteins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 50, 366-368 (1991). 

ITP idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura IV intravenous IVP intravenous push JRA juvenile rheumatoid arthritis K/K+ potassium KVO keep vein open L/d liters per day LA long acting LDL low-density lipoprotein LFT liver function test LH leuteinizing hormone LHRH luteinizing hormone releasing hormone... 

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein in atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis... 

Cvetkovic, J.T. et al. Increased levels of autoantibodies against copper-oxidized low density lipoprotein, malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein and cardiolipin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 41 (2002) 988-95. 

---