Researchers Reveal the Link Between Serotonin Deficiency and Rheumatoid Arthritis

(Newswire.net — April 10, 2017) Orlando, FL — For individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, life can be quite a struggle every day due to pain and immobility. It hasn’t been known what exactly causes the condition, but there are factors believed to contribute to the development of the condition.

Researchers reveal the link between serotonin deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis. This condition affects millions of people in the United States alone. Sufferers often turn to the use of a variety of pain management options to improve their overall condition.

The American Journal of Pathology report reveals that mice that were experimentally-induced with rheumatoid arthritis and serotonin-deficiency had a more severe condition than those in the control group.

It was also found that certain RA effects were reduced by serotonin or the compounds that activate serotonin receptors otherwise known as agonists.

According to researchers, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has been implicated directly in the RA pathophysiology. While 5-HT is predominantly believed to be a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system, this new evidence of the study opens the possibility that there are supplemental significant functions for serotonin in the periphery.

The findings of the study could potentially be used for new RA treatment approaches.

Co-lead investigator Marie-Christine de Vernejoul of BIOSCAR, INSERM UMR_S1132 of the Hôpital Lariboisière, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1132, Université Paris Diderot (Paris, France), has something to say about the findings.

She states that the research study points out the direct immunoregulatory role of 5-HT in arthritis. The development of treatments that target 5-HT or 5-HT receptors could demonstrate an interesting prospect in regulating the immune response in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

It could also give way to new perspectives in improving therapeutic options for individuals with the condition.

The mouse model of RA used in the study was known as collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). It produces certain features that are the same as the rheumatoid arthritis affecting humans.

Some of the disease manifestations include bone and cartilage destruction and osteoclasts. Osteoclasts pertains to the activation of particular cells that are responsible for bone resorption.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. This is why many sufferers are turning to pain medications. There are also those who try to avoid the side effects linked with the use of pharmaceutical drugs by simply turning to natural remedies.

One of the joint enhancement natural remedies for arthritis is glucosamine supplements, which are not just used by individuals with arthritis but also athletes (http://www.amazon.com/Glucosamine-Sulfate-Chondroitin-Supplement-Turmeric/dp/B00DUMO9X4ﾧ).