Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Circadian rhythms: glucocorticoids and arthritis
Maurizio Cutolo1, Alberto Sulli, Carmen Pizzorni
1Research Laboratory and Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV6, 16132 Genova, Italy. mcutolo@unige.it
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 21, 2006
Summary
Circadian rhythms influence inflammatory responses and arthritis pain. Optimizing glucocorticoid therapy timing in the early morning aligns with natural anti-inflammatory hormone cycles for better arthritis management.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms, regulated by biological clocks, impact inflammatory responses and arthritis.
- Glucocorticoids and melatonin (MLT) are key circadian hormones with opposing effects on inflammation.
- Diurnal variations in immune responses (Th1/Th2) are linked to cortisol and MLT levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of circadian rhythms in inflammatory mechanisms and arthritis.
- To explore the relationship between hormone secretion patterns and arthritis pain intensity.
- To provide evidence for optimizing glucocorticoid therapy timing in arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of circadian hormone secretion (cortisol, MLT) and immune responses (Th1/Th2, IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratio).
- Correlation of hormone levels with inflammatory markers and arthritis pain.
- Review of existing data on glucocorticoid therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Main Results:
- Inflammatory responses and arthritis pain exhibit significant time-dependent variations.
- Cortisol and MLT levels show inverse patterns, influencing immune responses.
- Early morning is characterized by a high IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratio, linked to higher MLT and lower cortisol.
- Rheumatoid arthritis patients may experience relative adrenal insufficiency, favoring pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines at night.
Conclusions:
- The timing of glucocorticoid therapy is crucial for managing arthritis effectively.
- Early morning administration of glucocorticoids aligns with natural anti-inflammatory rhythms.
- Understanding circadian influences on inflammation can guide therapeutic strategies in rheumatology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:12Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...