Rheumatoid arthritis, food, and allergy.
One of the most promising lines of research on the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is its association with the genetically determined MHC class II antigens. The function of these macromolecules, presentation of antigens to the T-helper cells, supports the possibility that external antigens influence RA. We review available literature concerning the relationship between RA and food. Circumstantial evidence suggests that some foods or food components might influence subgroups of RA patients, although many of the publications on this subset do not meet acceptable standards of modern medical research.
van de Laar
M A
MA
Department of Rheumatology, Jan van Breemen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Korst
J K
JK
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004802:Eosinophilia; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000150:complications; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D013583:Synovial Membrane
D000941:Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor