Effectiveness of Two Different Forms of Marine Oil on Indirect Markers of Muscle Damage and Soreness...
Inflammation; MuscleTo evaluate the effects of PCSO-524®, and a blend of PCSO-24® (75%) and krill oil (25%) (ESPO-572®), on indirect markers of muscle damage, inflammation and soreness during recovery from muscle damaging exercise in untrained men.
The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Muscle Function in Childhood Myositis
Juvenile DermatomyositisThis project will bring together a multidisciplinary team of pediatric rheumatologists, neurologists, metabolic geneticists and exercise physiologists to determine the effect of creatine (CR) supplementation on muscle function and muscle metabolism in children with Dermatomyositis (DM). The investigators propose using well-established exercise testing techniques as well as new, powerful exercise imaging protocols in order to better delineate the effects of CR on muscle pathophysiology in a non-invasive way. Evidence from this study will provide information regarding the effect of creatine supplementation on muscle function in DM. Improvements in muscle function and fatigue through CR use may also contribute to an improvement in quality of life and have significant clinical implications for the treatment of children with DM.
Follistatin Gene Transfer to Patients With Becker Muscular Dystrophy and Sporadic Inclusion Body...
Becker Muscular DystrophySporadic Inclusion Body MyositisThe investigators are performing a gene therapy clinical trial in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients. Both of these conditions have an important common feature: loss of ability to walk because of weakness of the thigh muscles. The investigators plan to do a gene therapy trial to deliver a gene to muscle called follistatin (FS344) that can build muscle size and strength. If successful, the investigators can increase the size of the thigh muscle and potentially prolong a patient's ability to walk. The gene will be carried into the muscle by a virus called adeno-associated virus (AAV). This virus occurs naturally in muscle and does not cause any human disease, setting the stage for its safe use in a clinical trial. Presently there is no treatment that can reverse Becker muscular dystrophy or sporadic inclusion body myositis. Only supportive care is currently possible. In this study, subjects with either of these diseases will have shots of the follistatin gene injected directly into thigh muscle on one (first cohort) or both legs (2nd and 3rd cohort). One hundred and eighty days following the gene delivery, the muscle will undergo biopsy to look closely at the muscle to see if the muscle fibers are bigger. Between the time of the gene transfer and the muscle biopsy, patients will be carefully monitored for any side effects of the treatment. This will include an MRI of the thigh muscle before treatment and at day 180 following treatment. Blood and urine tests, as well as physical examination will be done on the subjects during the screening visit and on days 0, 1, 2, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 180 to make sure that there are no side effects from the gene injections. Sutures will be removed 2 weeks post-biopsy. Additional blood samples will be collected at 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Patients will be seen at the end of 1st and 2nd years for a physical exam, assessment of muscle strength and appropriate blood tests.
Ultrasound in Muscle Biopsy
MyopathyMyositis1 moreThe objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the clinical utility of muscle ultrasonography for improving the diagnostic yield and safety of core muscle biopsy. Our facility currently uses core (needle) biopsy to obtain muscle samples in patients 18 years old or older. Currently, there is no imaging tool used to guide the actual biopsy. As muscle biopsy is an invasive and potentially painful procedure, improving the diagnostic yield of this test is important.
Protein Supplementation and Muscle Recovery in Football
Skeletal Muscle DamageMuscle Inflammation2 moreSoccer is an intermittent sport including a high number of powerful actions such as accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, jumps and impacts that incorporate a strong eccentric component and may therefore lead to skeletal muscle damage. Indeed, match activity is associated with the onset of muscle damage and an acute inflammatory response that result in attenuated performance for as long as 1 to 3 days. In competitive soccer though, multiple matches are performed within a small-time frame resulting in inadequate muscle recovery and reduced field performance. Supplementation with milk proteins following intense exercise protocols has been shown to stimulate protein synthesis and facilitate muscle recovery. Thus, the aim of the present investigation is to examine the effects of milk protein supplementation on muscle recovery and soccer-specific performance during an in-season microcycle with two matches performed three days apart.
Treating Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies Related Reduced Bone Mineral Density With Denosumab...
Idiopathic Inflammatory MyopathiesOsteoporosis1 moreIdiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) patients are at high risk of development of reduced bone mineral density due to impairment of functional status due to the disease and a relatively high dose of glucocorticoid use for the treatment. Reduced bone mineral density is prevalent in local IIMs patients. Denosumab and zoledronic acid are established treatments for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. However, the role of these treatments in reduced bone mineral density including osteoporosis and osteopenia related to IIMs are lacking. There is also no evidence on comparing the efficacy of the two agents. Therefore, the investigators conducted this prospective randomized controlled study to compare the efficacies of denosumab and zoledronic acid in treating reduced bone mineral density in IIMs patients. The hypothesis in this study is that treatment by denosumab or zoledronic acid would improve bone mineral density in IIMs patients with reduced bone mineral density.
Low-dose Interleukin-2 Treatment on Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy
Inflammatory MyopathyThis study aims to explore the clinical and immunological efficacy of low-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) on idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).
Low-dose Interleukin-2 in Combination With Standard Therapy on Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy...
Inflammatory MyopathyThis study aims to explore the clinical and immunological efficacy of low-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and cyclosporin a (CSA) on idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM)
COVID-19 Vaccination in Rheumatic Disease Patients
Systemic Lupus ErythematosusSjogren's Syndrome6 moreThe research is being done to study the immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Belimumab in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis
MyositisThe goal of the trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of belimumab as a maintenance therapy in adults with refractory Idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) as compared with standard of care. This is a multicentre double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.