title: Alterations of plasma glycosaminoglycan profile in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to disease activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of plasma glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in relation to disease activity estimated by DAS28 score was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  GAGs were quantified by hexuronic acid assay and electrophoretic fractionation. Keratan sulfate (KS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured by immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) and heparan sulfate/heparin (HS/H) in plasma of healthy subjects and RA patients were stated. Total GAGs, CS, HS/H and HA levels were higher in patients with high and moderate disease activity than in controls. Total GAGs and CS levels in patients with high disease activity were elevated in comparison to patients with low disease activity. HS/H levels in patients with high and moderate activity were elevated in comparison to those with low disease activity. KS levels were increased in all patient groups in comparison to controls. Total GAGs, CS, HS/H and HA levels were positively correlated with DAS28 and CRP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural tissue damage/remodeling of the extracellular matrix occurs in RA, which is reflected in the qualitative and quantitative changes of plasma GAGs. The above changes depend on DAS28 and may contribute to systemic changes in the properties of the extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: ajura@sum.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jura-Półtorak
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komosinska-Vassev
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotulska
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Eugeniusz J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kucharz
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopec-Medrek
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olczyk
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans
keywords: Disease activity; Extracellular matrix remodeling; Plasma glycosaminoglycans; Rheumatoid arthritis