The observation of humoral responses after influenza vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Japanese oriental (kampo) medicine: an observational study.

Objective. The efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients treated with Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine is unknown. The objectives of this study were to observe the efficacy of influenza vaccination in RA patients treated with Kampo.

Effect of kampo medicine on pain and range of motion of osteoarthritis of the hip accompanied by acetabular dysplasia: case report and literature review.

We report a 52-year-old female with end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip accompanied by acetabular dysplasia in whom quality of life (QOL) was improved by Kampo treatment.When she was 42 years old, she developed pain in the left hip joint, and early-stage OA of the hip was diagnosed by hip joint x-ray. Therefore, she took NSAIDs, and received conservative therapies such as diet and muscle training.

No correlation exists between disease activity and the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The genes for killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) have been cloned and their functions and expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been partially clarified. However, the correlation between their expression and disease activity has not been analyzed in patients with RA. Thus, we measured KIR expression on lymphocytes in patients with RA, and assessed the correlation between KIR expression and disease activity.

Insights to clinical use of serial determination in titers of cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody is a useful marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, clinical significance of follow-up in anti-CCP antibody titer has been pointed out. Thus, we investigated the serial determination in anti-CCP antibodies titer in RA patients.

Population of CD40L-expressing cells was slightly but not significantly decreased in lymphoid tissues of collagen-induced arthritic mice treated with Hochu-Ekki-To.

Objective: To clarify the mechanism of the action of Hochu-Ekki-To (HET) on collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice by analyzing the CD40L-expressing cells population.

Methods: CIA was induced in male DBA/1J mice by immunization with two injections of bovine type II collagen (CII). HET or water was orally administered.

Suppressive effects of Stephania tetrandra on the neutrophil function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Crude preparations of Stephania tetrandra (ST), a traditional herbal medicine, have been used safely for arthritis and silicosis in China. The concentration of granulocyte elastase - alpha 1 protease inhibitor complex in plasma is enhanced in inflammatory processes, e.g.

Suppressive effect of hochu-ekki-to on collagen induced arthritis in DBA1J mice.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hochu-ekki-to (HET) decoction on the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.

Methods: CIA was induced in male DBA/IJ mice by immunization with 2 injections of bovine type II collagen (CII). HET was orally administered at different doses and with different schedules.