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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
04:47
Du-Moxibustion in a Mouse Model of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Published on: October 27, 2023
Ankylosing spondylitis and muscle sympathetic nerve activity: a case study
Anna M Murvich1, Callie Curtis1, Jeremy A Bigalke1
1Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis patients show high sympathetic nerve activity, increasing cardiovascular risk. TNF-α blockade therapy significantly reduced this activity, potentially lowering risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Rheumatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Inflammatory diseases like ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are linked to increased cardiovascular (CV) risk.
- Heightened muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is a potential mechanism contributing to this elevated CV risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize MSNA in patients with AS.
- To evaluate the impact of TNF-α blockade therapy on MSNA and cardiovascular parameters in AS patients.
Main Methods:
- Case study involving two male AS patients.
- Autonomic monitoring including beat-to-beat blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and MSNA.
- Measurements taken before and after TNF-α blockade therapy in one patient.
Main Results:
- Case 1 showed stable MSNA and cardiovascular parameters over 3 months.
- Case 2 exhibited higher-than-expected resting MSNA.
- Following 6 months of TNF-α blockade, Case 2 showed significant reductions in SBP, DBP, HR, and MSNA.
Conclusions:
- Heightened sympathetic activity may contribute to increased CV disease in AS.
- TNF-α blockade therapy may attenuate sympathetic activity and potentially reduce CV risk in AS patients.
- Further research into neural cardiovascular control in AS is warranted.
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