FATTY ACIDS, ARTHRITIS, AND INFLAMMATION IN THE ELDERLY

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 骨关节炎&40;OA &41;是最常见的风湿性疾病，膝关节是最常受影响的承重关节。虽然没有治愈OA的方法，但肥胖是一个主要的风险因素。肥胖在慢性疾病进展中的作用的现代概念涉及由脂肪细胞产生的细胞因子和脂肪因子介导的全身性低度促炎状态。 在饮食中增加欧米茄-3脂肪酸可以减少类风湿性关节炎的炎症。使用omega-3脂肪酸始终显示出适度的临床改善和减少非甾体抗炎药在这一人群中。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&40;EPA &41;和γ-亚麻酸&40;GLA &41;将显著降低血液中炎症细胞因子的水平。即使在正常值的高端水平也会对软骨和骨代谢产生负面影响。细胞因子的体积很小，小于15 kDa，很容易从体循环扩散到关节间隙，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sTNFR 1。次要指标包括活动性、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.