The influence of N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphism on rheumatoid arthritis activity.
OBJECTIVE
The N-acetyltransferase polymorphism is involved in the metabolism of many xenobiotics, as well as in susceptibility to some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of NAT 2 polymorphism on disease activity in RA patients.


METHODS
70 with RA were enrolled in the study. As a measure of disease activity, the number of swollen and tender joints, the duration of morning stiffness, ESR and CRP as well as disease activity based on a global physician's assessment were evaluated. The NAT2 polymorphism was determined by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay (PCR-RFLP).


RESULTS
The mean number of swollen and tender joints, as well as the ESR and CRP values, did not differ significantly with the acetylation genotype. Erosive RA was diagnosed in 74.5% of the slow and 40% of the fast acetylators. The risk for the development of erosive RA was 4.39 time greater in slow acetylators than in fast acetylators.


CONCLUSIONS
NAT2 polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for joint destruction.
Pawlik
A
A
Department of Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, ul. Powst. Wlkp. 72, Poland. pawand@poczta.onet.pl
Ostanek
L
L
Brzosko
I
I
Brzosko
M
M
Dabrowska-Zamojcin
E
E
Gawronska-Szklarz
B
B
D000107:Acetylation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C478900:NAT2 protein, human