Role of Some Heavy Metals in Rheumatoid Arthritis Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
OverviewRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease marked by chronic joint inflammation, synovitis, and bone erosion, driven by Treg/Th17 imbalance, excessive IL-17, TNF-α, and IL-1 production, and macrophage activation. Emerging evidence links microbial dysbiosis and heavy metal exposure to RA, [1][2] with gut microbiota influencing autoimmune activation via Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, inflammasome activation, […]
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Karen Pendergrass
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
What was studied?
This study investigated the association between heavy metal concentrations and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specifically, it examined the serum levels of zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in RA-positive and RA-negative individuals. The study also analyzed variations in metal levels based on sex and two age groups (below 35 years and 35 years and above) to determine if these factors influenced the relationship between heavy metal exposure and RA.
Who was studied?
The study included blood samples from patients suspected of having RA, collected from diagnostic laboratories in Sargodha, Pakistan. The participants were grouped based on their RA status (RA-positive and RA-negative), sex, and age category. Serum metal concentrations were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and statistical comparisons were made using a two-sample t-test to determine differences between groups.
Most Important Findings
The study found a significant decrease in serum copper (Cu) levels in RA-positive patients compared to RA-negative individuals (p=0.04). However, there was no significant relationship between RA and the concentrations of zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni). Additionally, no significant correlation was observed between heavy metal concentrations and sex or age group within the RA-positive cohort. While some previous studies reported lower zinc levels in RA patients, this study did not find any significant association between RA and Zn deficiency. The findings also contradicted prior research that suggested elevated Pb levels in RA patients, as no significant difference was observed in this study. The observed variations between this study and previous research may be due to genetic, environmental, or dietary differences in the study populations.
Greatest Implications
The study provides evidence that copper deficiency may be associated with RA, potentially implicating copper in the disease’s pathophysiology. This aligns with existing research suggesting that copper plays a role in inflammatory and immune system regulation. However, the lack of significant findings for other metals highlights the need for further research to determine their exact impact on RA development and progression. Given that previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding heavy metals and RA, it is crucial to consider factors such as geographic variation, dietary intake, and environmental exposures in future research. Understanding the role of trace metals in RA could contribute to novel therapeutic strategies, including dietary interventions or supplementation for patients with confirmed deficiencies.