Investigating the multifactorial correlation between obesity and rheumatoid arthritis: A study of immunological and biochemical markers

Abstract

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation that primarily affects the synovial joints, leading to various clinical manifestations.

Objective

This study investigated the impact of obesity in immunologically affected individuals on the triggering of autoimmune response in RA patients, as well as the associated increased risk of RA progression.

Materials and methods

The comparative study that was carried out on a total of 300 participants were enrolled in this study, categorized into three distinct groups; 100 obese RA patients, 100 non-obese RA patients, and 100 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Serum and whole blood samples were collected for the analysis of oxidative stress markers, biochemical and serological parameters, immune cells, Autoantibodies, and interleukin levels.

Results

A notable significantly increase in the serum level of obese patients compared to other groups was observed in the concentration of oxidative stress, particularly 8-oxodG, which reached 101.9 ± 12.0 Pg/ml and positively correlated with the elevated levels of risk-1 (8.9 ± 3.6). The results indicated a significant increase in the interleukins, particularly IL-17 and IL-6 (230 ± 3.0 pg/ml), (116.0 ± 10.8 pg/ml) respectively. This increase was accompanied by a significant rise in autoantibodies, especially ANA (77.7 ± 5.9 AU/ml) and anti-MCV (155.7 ± 10.3 AU/ml). Finally, a strong significant correlation was observed between the elevated levels of antibodies ANA and the concentrations of IL-17, IL-6, and IL-4, (+0.44, +0.59 m and 0.59) along with an increase in the concentration of lymphocytic immune cells (58.2 ± 2.6 m/mm3).

Conclusion

Obesity and increased oxidative stress contribute to the development of RA, amplify inflammation through mechanisms such as molecular mimicry and neoantigen formation. Finally, this underscores the significance of managing obesity to potentially lessen the progression of RA.