AD3_AUT13_8,11,20,21, 25,27,29_News_Layout 1 16/09/2013 20:31 Page 20
Autumn 2013
digestnews rheumatoid arthritis
Eating fish could half risk
of rheumatoid arthritis
The research
Eating one portion of oily fish – or four of
lean fish – every week could half the risk of
rheumatoid arthritis, says new research from
Sweden.
Published in the Annals of the Rheumatic
Diseases, a questionnaire (about diet, height,
weight and education) was sent to thousands
of women between 1987 and 1990 who were
born between 1914 and 1948. Then in 1997
another questionnaire was sent to 56,030
women still alive, this time adding questions
about smoking, exercise and supplements.
Of the women who developed rheumatoid
arthritis, 27% ate less than one serving of oily
fish or four servings of lean fish a week.
Women who ate more than this had a 52%
lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
The implications
terms of rheumatoid arthritis risk,” the
researchers say.
Eating more than one serving of all types of
fish every week for at least 10 years was linked
to a 29% reduced risk of arthritis compared
with eating less than one portion a week.
“The study indicates a potentially
important role for dietary long-chain n-3
(omega 3) PUFAs in the aetiology of
rheumatoid arthritis, and that adherence to
existing dietary guidelines regarding ?sh
consumption may also be bene?cial in
Next steps...
The study backs up other research that
highlights the benefits of eating fish. Recent
work from the University of London, for
example, found that omega-3 fatty acids may
help prevent skin and mouth cancers.
Oily fish include salmon, trout, mackerel
and kippers; lean fish are cod, haddock and
tinned tuna.
Prolactin has the potential to
treat rheumatoid arthritis
The research
A hormone called prolactin could be used as a treatment
for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint
diseases, says research published in the Journal of
Clinical Investigation.
Experts from the National University of
Mexico found that prolactin can minimise
the death of cartilage cells, reducing the
degradation of the tissue at joints.
Prolactin is released by a gland in the brain
and is known to stimulate milk
production in women. But tests on
animals show it can also reduce
inflammation, pain and bone
erosion.
The implications
“Prolactin is present in rheumatoid
arthritis synovial fluid produced by rheumatoid arthritis
synovial cells and can influence cartilage survival by
exerting immunoregulatory effects,” the team explains.
Next steps...
Arthritis Research UK highlights that the role of prolactin
in inflammatory arthritis is confusing.
“Some studies have suggested that prolactin may be
beneficial in diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
whilst others suggest that it may worsen some features of
disease,” says a spokesperson. “This research, studying
prolactin in the laboratory and using a rat model of
arthritis, suggests that one of the ways that prolactin
could provide benefit is by reducing pro-inflammatory
molecules and preventing cartilage cells from dying.
“However, it would be necessary to understand the role
of prolactin more fully before this could be considered as
a potential therapy for people with arthritis.”
Specialist nurses manage rheumatoid
arthritis as well as doctors
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