Impact of visceral adipose tissue and whole-body adipose tissue on lean mass, muscle strength, inflammatory cytokines and bone microarchitecture in women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Grant number: 23/01320-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Ferreira Borba Neto
• Grantee: Eduardo Ferreira Borba Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/00006-7 - Evaluation of bone metabolism parameters by HR-pQCT and histomorphometry in rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: association with clinical and genetic variables, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/10730-8 - Impact of visceral adipose tissue and whole-body adipose tissue on lean mass, muscle strength, inflammatory cytokines and bone microarchitecture in women with rheumatoid arthritis, BP.JD

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 1% of the population, and is five-fold more frequent in women. The main site of involvement occurs in the joints, although its damage also includes extra-articular actions such as reduction of skeletal muscle tissue, disabilities, and bone loss. Although the mechanisms have not been elucidated, these phenomena suggest successive cycles of inflammatory signals, mediated by a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which reiterates the imbalance by increasing bone resorption despite formation. Individuals with higher body weight tend to have better bone parameters such as areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), however, recent evidence indicates that excess body fat - often observed in heavier ones - increases the risk of fractures, especially in those with a high content of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), as well as signals the loss of muscle mass. Notwithstanding, to date, there is no studies investigating the relationship between the region of body fat accumulation, lean mass and bone microarchitecture in patients with RA. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the impact of VAT and whole-body adipose tissue on lean mass, muscle strength, inflammatory cytokines and bone microarchitecture by HR-pQCT in women with RA. Fifty-six (Power 1-² 95% and ± 0.05) female RA patients (18-50 years old) will be recruited. Additionally, participants will be evaluated regarding physical performance, inflammatory markers of hospital routine, bone metabolism, disease severity, aBMD, and quality of life. (AU)