Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a Th17 cytokine associated with inflammation, autoimmunity, and defense against some bacteria; it has been implicated in many chronic autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic sclerosis. However, whether IL-17 plays a role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains unclear. To analyze the content of IL-17 and IL-23 in the serum from patients with AS compared with health control subject, 50 patients with AS and 43 healthy volunteers were recruited. Serum IL-17 levels were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistic analyses were performed by SPSS 13.0. Results show that the serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels were significantly elevated in AS patients as compared with normal controls. Nevertheless, no associations of serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels with clinical and laboratory parameters were found; no significant difference regarding serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels was found between less active AS and more active AS. However, there was a strong positive association between the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in the AS patients. Our results indicate increased serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels in AS patients, suggesting that this two cytokine may play critical roles in the pathogenesis of AS. Therefore, further studies are required to confirm this preliminary data.

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a Th17 cytokine associated with inflammation, autoimmunity and defense against some bacteria, it has been implicated in many chronic autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis. However, whether IL-17 plays a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the serum IL-17 level in patients with SLE and it's associations with disease manifestations and activity. Fifty-seven patients with SLE and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. Serum IL-17 levels were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistic analyzes were performed by SPSS 10.01. Results show that serum IL-17 levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients as compared with normal controls. Nevertheless, no associations of serum IL-17 level with clinical and laboratory parameters were found; no significant difference regarding serum IL-17 level between SLE patients with nephritis and those without nephritis was found; no significant difference was found between Less active SLE and More active SLE; Correlation analysis between serum IL-17 levels and SLEDAI showed no association. Taken together, our results indicate increased serum IL-17 levels in SLE patients, suggesting that this cytokine may trigger the inflammatory process in SLE. However, no associations of serum IL-17 level with disease manifestations were found. Therefore, further studies are required to confirm this preliminary data.

While the associations are not fully consistent, IPFP maximal area appears to have a protective role for knee symptoms and cartilage damage in older female adults.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of biologics for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: We systematically reviewed 60 randomized controlled trials (34,020 participants), which compared 14 biological drugs for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The main assessment criteria were ≥ 90 % reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90) and the number of patients who reported treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). Secondary criteria were ≥ 75 % reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75), Physician's Global Assessment 0/1 (PGA 0/1) and infections. Results: This network meta-analysis showed that biologics were significantly more effective than placebo. Ixekizumab, risankizumab, and bimekizumab were among the most effective treatments, and tildrakizumab, guselkumab and risankizumab were better than the other drugs with respect to safety. Risankizumab and guselkumab performed relatively stable with respect to both efficacy and safety. At the class level, blockers of interleukin (IL)-17A showed favorable efficacy while inhibitors of the p19 subunit of IL-23 were best tolerated of all efficient biologics. Conclusions: Ixekizumab was the most effective biologic in PASI 90, while IL-23p19 inhibitors, risankizumab and guselkumab performed relatively stable with respect to efficacy and safety.