Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
07:22
Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
Published on: March 7, 2025
Cellular Glucose Transport and Inflammatory Blood Markers in Rheumatoid Arthritis Spectrum: An Immunometabolic
Diptimayee Upadhyay1, Subhashree Ray1, Bandana Thakur1
1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and Sum Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Cureus
|July 13, 2026
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show higher levels of glucose metabolism markers, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and hexokinase 2 (HK2), and inflammatory markers compared to healthy individuals. Hexokinase 2 (HK2) may correlate with RA disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunometabolism
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increasingly understood as an immunometabolic disorder.
- This study investigates glucose metabolism markers (GLUT1, HK2) and inflammatory markers in RA.
- The association of these markers with disease activity (DAS28) was explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers between RA patients and healthy controls.
- To examine the relationship between these markers and RA disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 160 participants (80 RA cases, 80 controls).
- Measured demographic data, glucose, inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP, IL-6, SAA, NLR, PLR), DAS28, GLUT1, and HK2.
- Used nonparametric tests for group comparisons and Spearman's correlation for associations.
Main Results:
- RA cases had significantly higher GLUT1 and HK2 levels than controls (p < 0.001).
- Elevated inflammatory markers (ESR, IL-6, SAA, NLR, PLR) were observed in RA cases.
- Hexokinase 2 (HK2) was higher in high-activity RA cases (p = 0.037), but GLUT1 was not; correlations were weak.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a distinct immunometabolic signature in RA.
- Hexokinase 2 (HK2) shows a potential exploratory link to RA disease activity.
- Further prospective studies are needed for clinical validation.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:30Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular
The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps locate and destroy pathogens and remove damaged tissue elements to heal the body. During this initial phase, fluid, blood products, and nutrients migrate to the injured area, resulting in redness, heat, swelling, ache, and loss of function. Moreover, signs of systemic inflammation include fever, increased WBC count, malaise, anorexia, nausea,...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...