Nerve stimulation 'eases symptoms' of chronic condition rheumatoid arthritis

By OLIVIA LERCHE, July 11, 2016

NERVE stimulation can reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and could help people suffering from other inflammatory diseases, such as Crohns, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

Scientists have found a correlation between nerve stimulation and reduced RA signs

Scientists believe stimulating the vagus nerve, which controls electrical signals to the stomach, heart and lungs, can significantly reduce pain and swelling caused by chronic joint inflammation.

The nerve can be stimulated with an electrical device surgically implanted into the body to send pulses through the vagus at various intervals.

Clinical trial data published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) revealed stimulating the vagus nerve with a bioelectronic device significantly improved the level of disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects millions people around the world and costs tens of billions of pounds a year to treat.

Experts said the study could change the way modern medicine is viewed

The findings, announced by the Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and SetPoint Medical, have shown nerve stimulation can reduce symptoms of RA, cytokine levels and inflammation by stimulating the nerve with a small implanted device.

Professor Paul-Peter Tak, lead author of the paper at the Division of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, said: "This is the first study to evaluate whether stimulating the inflammatory reflex directly with an implanted electronic device can treat RA in 
humans.

"We have previously shown that targeting the inflammatory reflex may reduce inflammation in animal models and in vitro models of RA.

"The direct correlation between vagus nerve stimulation and the suppression of several key cytokines like Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) as well as reduced RA signs and symptoms demonstrates proof of mechanism, which might be relevant for other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases as well."

The breakthrough could help other people suffering with inflammatory conditions

While the trial focused on rheumatoid arthritis, experts have hypothesised the results may have implications for patients suffering from other inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and others.

Scientists said the findings indicate that active electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve inhibits TNF production in patients and significantly reduces the severity of the condition.

Anthony Arnold, chief executive officer of SetPoint Medical, said: "Our findings suggest a new approach to fighting diseases with bioelectronic medicines, which use electrical pulses to treat diseases currently treated with potent and relatively expensive drugs.

"These results support our ongoing development of bioelectronic medicines designed to improve the lives of people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases and give healthcare providers new and potentially safer treatment alternatives at a much lower total cost for the healthcare system."

Rheumatoid arthritis can result in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers,

During the study, the stimulation device was implanted - and switched on and off - while it measuring tender and swollen joints.

Of 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, several that had failed to respond to multiple therapies, showed a marked improvement.

Kevin Tracey, co-author, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and co-founder of SetPoint Medical, said: "This is a real breakthrough in our ability to help people suffering from inflammatory diseases.

"While we've previously studied animal models of inflammation, until now we had no proof that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can indeed inhibit cytokine production and reduce disease severity in humans.

"I believe this study will change the way we see modern medicine, helping us understand that our nerves can, with a little help, make the drugs that we need to help our body heal itself."

Video:

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/688217/nerve-stimulation-ease-symptoms-rheumatoid-arthritis-alzheimers-parkinsons-crohns

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/688217/nerve-stimulation-ease-symptoms-rheumatoid-arthritis-alzheimers-parkinsons-crohns

This comes after it was revealed an injection could end the pain of arthritis without side effects.

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Injection to end pain of arthritis: New treatment will stop agony without side-effects

AN injection that promises to relieve the agony of arthritis could be available within five years.

By MARK REYNOLDS

Nov 27, 2015

Scientists have developed a pioneering way to deliver drugs directly into cartilage – tissue previously believed to be impenetrable.

The treatment uses tiny particles of a patient’s own cells to carry the “payload” into affected joints.

It would require only one day in hospital every three months and would not cause the side-effects associated with other therapies.

Announcing the breakthrough, Professor Mauro Perretti, of Queen Mary University of London, said: “Cartilage has long been thought to be impenetrable to cells and other small structures leading to strong limitations in our abilities to deliver therapies for arthritis.

“To our surprise we have now discovered vesicles [tiny fluid-filled sacs] released from white blood cells can ‘travel’ into the cartilage and deliver their cargo. They also have a protective effect on cartilage affected by arthritis.”

The new technique has worked in experiments on mice and human cells.

Further analysis is now needed before medical trials can begin but the treatment could be available in clinics in five years.

At least 8.5 million Britons suffer from osteoarthritis, the most common form, which is caused by wear and tear on joints where the cartilage that cushions movement is worn away.

Bones then come into contact with each other and the friction makes joints swollen and extremely painful.

Dr Lucy Norling, also of Queen Mary University of London, said the injections would be simple to administer, not too expensive, and the effect of each one would last about three months.

Professor Perretti added: “Our study indicates that these vesicles could be a novel form of therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from cartilage damage due to a range of diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and trauma.

“Treating patients with their own vesicles may only require a day in hospital and the vesicles could even be ‘fortified’ with other therapeutic agents, for example, omega-3 fatty acids or other small molecules.”

A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine shows genetically engineered mice with inflammatory arthritis had reduced cartilage damage when treated with vesicles.

The particles also protected cartilage when injected in human cells grown in the laboratory.

Dr. Stephen Simpson, director of research and programmes at Arthritis Research UK, which part-funded the study, said yesterday: “Using the body’s own transport system to get new and current therapeutic agents directly into the cartilage holds the promise we will be able to reduce joint damage more effectively than ever.

“A healthy and intact joint results in less pain and disability, improving the quality of life for millions of people living with arthritis.

This study potentially bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and effective, accurate clinical interventions that could have tangible effects on people’s lives.”

Each year more than 140,000 hip and knee replacements are carried out at a cost of more than £1billion.

It means a new treatment for osteoarthritis could potentially save the NHS a fortune.

Some patients even have to undergo two joint replacement operations because artificial hips or knee joints can wear out after only 15 years.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/622417/Injection-end-pain-arthritis-New-treatment-agony-without-side-effects

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