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Environmental conditions (eg, latitude) play a critical role in the susceptibility and severity of many autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of immune regulatory processes induced in the skin by moderate ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity.', 'Effects of UVB light were analyzed in a murine model of CNS autoimmunity (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis). Additionally, patients with relapsing-remitting MS were treated with narrowband UVB phototherapy. Immunomodulatory effects were examined in skin biopsies, serum samples, and immune cells of the peripheral blood.', 'Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are induced locally in the skin-draining lymph nodes in response to UVB exposure, connect the cutaneous immune response to CNS immunity by migration to the sites of inflammation (blood, spleen, CNS). Here, they attenuate the inflammatory response and ameliorate disease symptoms. Treg-inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) were further necessary for induction of this systemic immune regulation by UVB radiation, because ablation of Langerhans cells abolished the UVB-induced phenotype. MS patients treated with UVB phototherapy showed an increase in induced Tregs and tolerogenic DCs accompanied by the downregulation of the T-cell effector cytokine interleukin 21. The treatment further induced elevated serum levels of vitamin D.
Does ultraviolet B light attenuate the systemic immune response in central nervous system autoimmunity?

Chronic systemic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, we investigated whether anti-TNF-alpha antagonist-monoclonal antibody-infliximab administration alters circulating levels of resistin, a proinflammatory adipokine. We further assessed associations of circulating resistin concentrations with CRP and ESR levels, platelet counts and metabolic syndrome and demographic characteristics in RA patients on periodical treatment with infliximab.', 'We investigated 33 patients with RA on periodical treatment with infliximab. Serum resistin levels were determined immediately prior to and after infliximab infusion.', 'Upon infliximab administration, mean (SD) serum resistin concentrations (ng/ml) decreased from 21.9 (9.9) to 17.4 (8.9) (p=0.005). Also, a significant association between the mean ESR (r=0.405; p=0.03) and CRP (r=0.571; p=0.0005) from disease diagnosis and ESR (r=0.486; p=0.004), CRP (r=0.599; p=0.0005) and platelet count (r=0.559; p=0.0007) at the time of the study and baseline resistin levels was found.
Does anti-TNF-alpha therapy modulate resistin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Research evidence supports a positive link between soft drinks and depressive symptoms. However, data thus far are only from Caucasian populations. We investigated whether high levels of consumption of soft drinks were associated with the depressive symptoms among adults in China.', 'A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 3667 adults in Tianjin, China. Dietary intake was assessed using a valid self-administered food frequency questionnaire, and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), cut-off point of 40, 45 or 50 indicating elevated depressive symptoms.', 'The prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms was 7.6% (SDS ≥50). After adjustments for potentially confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having elevated depressive symptoms by increasing levels of soft drink consumption were 1.00, 1.43 (1.01, 2.01) and 2.00 (1.15, 3.37) (p for trend <0.01). Similar relations were observed when SDS ≥40 or 45 were used as a definition of depressive symptoms.

Is soft drink consumption associated with depressive symptoms among adults in China?