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ProBNP, cytokines, and the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway: A cross-sectional study on cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid
Christiane Aguiar Nobre1, Carlos Ewerton Maia Rodrigues2, Natacha Xavier Cavalcante3
1Postgraduate Program in Translational Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
Abstract:
We evaluated associations between clinical/laboratory findings and serum cytokines, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway expression and cardiovascular risk in both RA patients and controls. Sixty RA patients and 60 controls were included in the study. Serum cytokine and proBNP levels were assessed by ELISA, while serum Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA levels were quantified by qRT-PCR. The RA group (91.7 % women) and the control group (90 % women) were aged 52 ± 12 and 52 ± 13 years, respectively. ProBNP levels were higher in the RA group than in controls (p = 0.009). Nrf2 mRNA levels were higher (p < 0.001) and HO-1 mRNA levels were lower (p = 0.030) in the RA group than in controls. CDAI scores were significantly associated with serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.033). This study found a significant dysregulation in Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activity in RA patients, although without association with cardiovascular risk, RA-related clinical and laboratory variables. Moderate/high disease activity was positively associated with IL-6 levels.
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