ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

Abstract Number: 2807

Skin and Muscle Sodium Concentrations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Proof of Concept Study

Cecilia P. Chung1, Michelle J. Ormseth1, Annette M. Oeser1, Ping Wang2, John C. Gore2, Jens Titze1 and C. Michael Stein1, 1Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 2Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Meeting: 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Date of first publication: September 28, 2016

Keywords:

Session Information

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Title: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Clinical Aspects and Treatment - Poster III: Biomarkers and Nephritis

Session Type: ACR Poster Session C

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose:   Recent findings indicate that sodium is stored in the body and plays an important role in immune regulation. Studies in animals and humans show that sodium is stored in skin and muscle and can be measured with 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In animal models increased tissue sodium is associated with activation of the immune system and a high salt intake exacerbates autoimmune disease. However, there is no information about tissue sodium in human autoimmune disease. We hypothesize that skin and muscle sodium concentrations are higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than control subjects.

Methods:  Skin and muscle Na+ content in the lower leg was measured with a 23Na+ knee-coil (Rapid Biomedical GmbH, Rimpar, Germany) at a Philips 3.0 Tesla Achieva scanner (Philips Healthcare, Best, the Netherlands) in 7 patients with SLE and 8 control subjects. Phantoms containing aqueous solutions with 10, 20, 30, and 40 mmol/L NaCl were included for calibration. Skin and muscle sodium concentrations between patients and control subjects were compared using Wilcoxon-rank sum tests.

Results: Demographic characteristics and systolic blood pressure (median and interquartile range) of patients with SLE and controls were similar (Table). The median SLEDAI score in patients with SLE was 2 (0-4). Patients with SLE had higher median skin and muscle 23Na concentrations than control subjects. (Table) This association was unchanged after adjustment for age (p=0.06 and 0.05, respectively).  Table: Comparison of clinical variables between patients with SLE and control subjects

 

SLE (n=7)

Controls (n=8)

p-value

Age

41 (32-56)

34 (28-47)

0.42

Female n (%)

6 (86%)

7 (88%)

0.73

Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg)

129 (114-146)

125 (118-130)

0.39

Skin 23 Na+ (mmol/kg)

16.4 (15.0-19.6)

12.4 (10.9-15.9)

0.06

Muscle 23Na+ (mmol/kg)

17.4 (15.8-19.2)

15.0 (14.5-16.7)

0.049

Conclusion:  This proof-of-concept study suggests that patients with SLE have higher skin and muscle sodium concentrations. Further studies are needed to examine the relationship between stored sodium with measures of disease activity, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease in patients with SLE.

Disclosure: C. P. Chung, None; M. J. Ormseth, None; A. M. Oeser, None; P. Wang, None; J. C. Gore, None; J. Titze, None; C. M. Stein, None.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Chung CP, Ormseth MJ, Oeser AM, Wang P, Gore JC, Titze J, Stein CM. Skin and Muscle Sodium Concentrations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Proof of Concept Study [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/skin-and-muscle-sodium-concentrations-in-patients-with-systemic-lupus-erythematosus-a-proof-of-concept-study/. Accessed .

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