FATTY ACIDS, ARTHRITIS, AND INFLAMMATION IN THE ELDERLY

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 骨关节炎是最常见的风湿病，膝关节是最常见的承重关节。虽然目前还没有治愈骨性关节炎的方法，但肥胖是一个主要的风险因素。现代关于肥胖在慢性疾病进展中的作用的概念涉及一种由脂肪细胞产生的细胞因子和脂肪因子介导的全身性低级别促炎状态。 饮食中omega-3脂肪酸的增加可以减少类风湿性关节炎的炎症。在这一人群中，omega-3脂肪酸的使用一直显示出适度的临床改善和非类固醇抗炎药物的减少。我们假设，与安慰剂相比，补充多不饱和脂肪酸二十碳五烯酸、EPA和伽马-亚麻酸将显著降低血液中炎症细胞因子的水平。即使水平高于正常值的高端，也会对软骨和骨骼代谢产生负面影响。细胞因子体积小，不到15 kDa，可以很容易地从全身循环扩散到关节空间，作用于关节组织。我们的主要结果将是炎症标志物、炎症细胞因子CRP、IL-6、TNF？和可溶性受体sTNFR1的测量。次要指标将包括活动能力、自我报告的身体功能和疼痛。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatic disease and the knee is the most often affected weight-bearing joint. While there are no cures for OA, obesity is a major risk factor. The modern concept of the role of obesity in chronic disease progression relates to a systemic low-grade pro-inflammatory state mediated by cytokines and adipokines produced by fat cells. An increase in omega-3 fatty acids in the diet decreases inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The use of omega-3 fatty acids consistently shows modest clinical improvements and a reduction in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in this population. We hypothesize that supplementing with the polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) will significantly decrease the level of inflammatory cytokines in the blood when compared to a placebo. Even levels on the high end of normal values can negatively affect cartilage and bone metabolism. With their small size (less than 15kDa), cytokines can readily diffuse from the systemic circulation into the joint space to act on joint tissues. Our primary outcomes will be measures of markers of inflammation, the inflammatory cytokines CRP, IL-6, TNF?, and the soluble receptor sTNFR1. Secondary measures will include mobility, self-reported physical function, and pain.