Iron is indispensable for the viablility of nearly all living organisms, and it is imperative for cells, tissues, and organisms to acquire this essential metal sufficiently and maintain its metabolic stability for survival. Disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to the development of various diseases. There is a robust connection between iron metabolism and infection, immunity, inflammation, and aging, suggesting that disorders in iron metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis. Numerous studies have focused on the significant role of iron metabolism in the development of arthritis and its potential for targeted drug therapy. Targeting iron metabolism offers a promising approach for individualized treatment of arthritis. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which the body maintains iron metabolism and the impacts of iron and iron metabolism disorders on arthritis. Furthermore, this review aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets and active substances related to iron metabolism, which could provide promising research directions in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its role in fibrosis. METHODS: Skin biopsy samples were collected from 21 patients with SSc and 22 patients with healthy skin for detecting the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In cultured primary human dermal fibroblasts, PTTG1 expression was knocked down via RNA interference (siRNA), and the mRNA expression levels of PTTG1 and the fibrosis-related genes RESULTS: Compared with those in normal skin samples, the mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG1 increased significantly in the skin tissue of patients with SSc ( CONCLUSIONS PTTG1 is highly expressed in skin tissues of patients with SSc, and PTTG1 knockdown can reduce the activity of the dermal fibroblasts, suggesting a close correlation of PTTG1 with fibrosis in SSc.
Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Scleroderma, Systemic/pathology* ; Securin ; Skin/pathology*

OBJECTIVE： To screen active fractions of Xiaozhong zhitong lotion that are able to reduce swelling， promote ulcer healing and analgesia， and to provide reference for it’s secondary development of ointment preparation. METHODS： Water elution fraction and 20％， 40％， 60％， 95％ ethanol elution parts were separated by D101 macroporous resin from Xiaozhong zhitong lotion. 120 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （n＝8） and modeling group （n＝112）. Rats in the normal group were not treated. Hemorrhoids model was established in the model group by injecting 75％ glacial acetic acid into the perianal skin to induce perianal ulcer. 96 model rats were randomly divided into model group [blank ointment matrix 0.51 g/（kg·d）]， positive group [Mayinglong ointment， 0.51 g/（kg·d）]， high-dose and low-dose groups of Xiaozhong zhitong lotion and it’s water elution fraction and 20％， 40％， 60％ ethanol elution parts [8.34， 2.78 g/（kg·d） by crude drug， all make into containing drug ointment]， with 8 rats in each group. The periphery of the anus was smeared with relevant medicine， twice a day， for consecutive 7 d. The local symptoms around the anus of rats 3 and 7 days after administration and the pathological morphology of the local mucosa around the anus of rats 7 days after administration were observed and scored respectively. The effects of each elution part for reducing swelling and promoting ulcer healing were investigated. 120 ICR mice were randomly divided into model group [blank ointment matrix 1.03 g/（kg·d）]， positive group [Mayinglong ointment 1.03 g/（kg·d）]， high-dose and low-dose groups of Xiaozhong zhitong lotion and it’s each elution part [16.65， 5.55 g/（kg·d） by crude drug， all make into containing drug ointment]， with 10 mice in each group. Transdermal administration， twice a day， for consecutive 7 d. After 30 min of last administration， the latency time and 15 min writhing times of mice were detected by designing acetic acid writhing test； pain threshold of mice was determined by hot-plate pain test so as to investigate systemic and local analgesic effects of each elution part. RESULTS： In the detumescence and ulcer healing test， compared with normal group， the score of local symptoms around anus at 3rd and 7th day of administration as well as pathological score of hemorrhoids local mucosa were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， above scores of positive group， 40％ ethanol elution high-dose and low-dose groups were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The scores of local symptoms around anus in 20％ ethanol elution part high-dose group at 3rd and 7th day after medication as well as 60％ ethanol elution part group at 7th day after medication were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. In analgesia test， compared with model group， writhing latency time was shortened significantly and 15 min writhing times was decreased significantly in positive group， 40％ ethanol elution part high-dose and low-dose groups as weel as 60％ ethanol elution part high-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； writhing latency time of 20％ ethanol elution part high-dose group was shortened significantly （P＜0.05）. Pain threshold of mice was increased significantly in positive group， 40％ ethanol elution part high-dose and low-dose groups after medication （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： The 40％ ethanol elution part from Xiaozhong zhitong lotion is the effective part that can reduce swelling， promote ulcer healing and analgesia.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Gout ; genetics ; Humans ; Receptors, IgG ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-17 ; genetics