| Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic | | | | "We have shown that it goes through the up-regulation |
| disease and the most common cause of crippling. RA | | | | [increase] of testosterone," he said. "That |
| affects roughly 2 million Americans. | | | | down-regulates inflammation, which is part of the |
| The treatment of RA involves the use of two major | | | | arthritic process." |
| types of medications. The first type is the | | | | "Test tube studies also show that alcohol increases |
| anti-inflammatory group. These help with symptoms. | | | | the migration of white blood cells, which take part in |
| The second type is the disease modifying group. | | | | the inflammatory process," Tarkowski added. |
| These help slow the disease process down. | | | | In the experiment, male mice were given injections of |
| Both groups of medicines are metabolized through the | | | | collagen to induce rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers |
| liver. What that means is that it is not a good idea to | | | | noted a significantly lower onset of disease and fewer |
| use alcohol either heavily or chronically while on these | | | | destructive symptoms in mice who drank water with |
| medicines. In fact, many rheumatologists advise their | | | | 10 percent alcohol added in, than in those who drank |
| RA patients taking methotrexate- one very common | | | | plain tap water. |
| disease modifying drug- to avoid alcohol altogether. | | | | Does this now give permission for RA patients to |
| Another issue is the increased rate of peptic ulcers | | | | party hardy? |
| that can develop in patients taking | | | | The study has very little application to humans in that it |
| non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). | | | | was a study designed to study possible RA prevention |
| Concomitant alcohol use increases the risk of ulcers. | | | | in male mice through testosterone modulation. |
| Now... what is the evidence to the contrary? | | | | Since most RA patients are women, the results of the |
| A recent Swedish study found that a copious dose of | | | | study probably aren't useful for most RA suffereras. It |
| alcohol reduced the risk that mice would develop | | | | might be interesting someday to look at possible RA |
| rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | prevention in men using alcohol but it's entirely too |
| Lead researcher Dr. Andrzej Tarkowski, professor of | | | | premature to look at it now. |
| rheumatology at Goteborg University said, "I wouldn't | | | | Tarkowski also alluded to the possibility of using |
| dare to do it (the experiment) in humans." | | | | acetaldehyde, a breakdown product of alcohol, in |
| The mice were given a daily regimen of tap water | | | | preventing rheumatoid arthritis. Acetaldehyde though is |
| supplemented with 10 percent alcohol. "That would do | | | | toxic and it would have to be used cautiously, if ever, in |
| liver damage in humans," Tarkowski noted. | | | | a human trial. |
| Tarkowski, published the findings in the Proceedings of | | | | My advice is that it's OK to have an occasional drink. In |
| the National Academy of Sciences (December 19, | | | | particular, there is evidence that red wine might have |
| 2006). | | | | beneficial effects as far as cardiovascular risk, which |
| Tarkowski was interested in the mechanism by which | | | | is a real worry in RA patients who appear to have |
| alcohol might help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, an | | | | accelerated atherosclerosis as part of their disease. |
| autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its | | | | But do it in moderation. |
| own joint tissue. | | | | |