Lupus
Plant extract could become future lupus treatment
Chandra Mohan, lead investigator
A new class of drugs derived from a plant might offer effective treatment for lupus whilst avoiding negative side effects associated with current options, research highlights in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
A biomedical engineer in the US has found that the compound (called CDDO) suppresses the steps of lupus development in mice including the onset of kidney disease. Continue reading
Maths could replace invasive kidney biopsy for people with lupus
A maths model might be able to reduce the need for invasive biopsies in people with kidney damage related to lupus, suggests a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Currently a kidney biopsy is the only way to reach a definitive diagnosis of the damage and its extent. But now researchers believe the model can predict the progression from nephritis (kidney inflammation) to interstitial fibrosis (scarring in the kidney that available treatments cannot reverse). Continue reading
Experts discover how to switch off autoimmune diseases
Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the fight against debilitating autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus by revealing how to stop cells attacking healthy body tissue, says research published in Nature.
Rather than the body’s immune system destroying its own tissue by mistake, researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered how cells convert from being aggressive to actually protecting against disease. Continue reading
Rheumatologic diseases such as lupus and ankylosing spondylosis can initially look like neurological disorders, delaying diagnosis
Some rheumatologic diseases (such as lupus, systemic vasculitis and ankylosing spondylosis) can initially seem to be neurological disorders (such as headaches and seizures) and this can delay diagnosis for many months, says research published in Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports.
The experts involved also found that rheumatologic disorders can cause adverse neurological effects.
“Rheumatic disorders presenting as neurological syndromes may pose diagnostic challenges,” explains Dr Sean Ruland and colleagues, outlining the following in their research: Continue reading
Parasitic worm molecule could be used in new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
A molecule found in the bodies of parasitic worms could one day be used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, says research published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Helminthic therapy involves deliberate infection with parasitic worms to send autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) into remission. Continue reading
