Oestrogens, joint disease, and cartilage
Article Abstract:
Diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and joint diseases tend occur with different frequencies among men and women, and these differences in expression are usually attributed to the effects of estrogen. Systemic lupus erythematosus is one joint disease that predominates in women. Studies indicate that estrogen supports the lupus disease process by increasing the number and activity of autoantibodies, which are antibodies that the body inappropriately manufactures and which recognize and attack the body's own tissues. In contrast, although rheumatoid arthritis is also more common in women, estrogen levels elevated by pregnancy or by use of estrogen as medication appear to protect against disease effects. In this disease, the portion of the immune system mediated by T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) is linked to the disease process and is suppressed by estrogen, while in lupus, the B lymphocyte portion of the immune system is involved and is stimulated by estrogens. Other studies suggest that estrogens can act directly on joint cartilage and thus may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, and other estrogenic effects on blood cells which mediate inflammation may further contribute to the disease. Research to further establish the specific effects of estrogen on these disease processes should improve the understanding of the specific processes underlying joint diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Effects of cyclical etidronate combined with calcitriol versus cyclical etidronate alone on spine and femoral neck bone mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporotic women
Article Abstract:
Cyclical treatment with etidronate plus calcitriol may be superior to etidronate alone in increasing bone mineral density of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Etidronate is a biphosphonate medication that inhibits bone resorption, a physiologic process that contributes to bone thinning in osteoporosis. Researchers treated 47 women with etidronate and calcitriol, or etidronate alone. Bone density increased 5% in the spines of women taking both drugs, compared to 3% in women taking etidronate alone. The two-drug therapy improved the density of hip bones, which fell with etidronate alone.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The effect of moderate alcohol consumption on bone mineral density: a study of female twins
Article Abstract:
The effect of alcohol on bone metabolism and fracture risk in women is examined.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 2005
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Derivation and validation of a clinical diagnostic model for chlamydial cervical infection in university women
- Abstracts: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and psychotic illness. The treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: are dantrolene and bromocriptine useful adjuncts to supportive care?
- Abstracts: Effects of long-term zidovudine treatment on cell-mediated immune response and lymphokine production. Acute HIV-1 infection: clinical and biological study of 12 patients
- Abstracts: Comparative study of the anti-HIV activities of ascorbate and thiol-containing reducing agents in chronically HIV-infected cells
- Abstracts: Prenatal records: a national survey of content. Should physicians infected with human immunodeficiency virus be allowed to perform surgery?