title: Effect of conjugated linoleic Acid, vitamin e, alone or combined on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little information about the effects of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) on inflammation and immune function in humans is available. This study investigated the effects of CLAs, with and without Vitamin E on immunity and inflammatory parameters in adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind clinical trial, 78 patients were randomly divided into four groups, each group receiving one of the following daily supplement for 3 months; group C: 2.5 g CLAs, group E: 400 mg Vitamin E, group CE: CLAs plus Vitamin E, group P: Placebo. Cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and citrullinated antibody (CCP-A) were measured by ELISA method and Vitamin E by high-performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consider statistical methods there were no significant differences between groups in cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-2/IL-4, CCP-A white blood cells and neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils numbers. TNF-α decreased in all groups, but its reduction was significant in group CE. IL-1β increased in groups P (P = 0.004) and E (P = 0.041) but the difference between group P and CE was significant. IL-4 decreased in groups C, CE and E (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, P = 0.07 respectively). IL2 did not change significantly within groups. CCP-A increased in groups P (P = 0.035) and E (P = 0.05), while it decreased in groups CE (P = 0.034). CCP-A and MMP-3 decrease were significant between groups P and CE. MMP-3 reduction was significant in group CE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Co-supplementation CLAs and Vitamin E may be effective in the level of inflammatory markers in RA patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aryaeian
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djalali
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shahram
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolghassem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djazayery
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Eshragian
keywords: Conjugated linoleic acids; Vitamin E; immunity; inflammatory markers; rheumatoid arthritis