I have been noticing that many of the compounds that can be helpful to treat the symptoms of arthritis, osteoarthritis can be used to boost height slightly. The added thickness of the articular cartilage covering around the joints is form the increased lubrication these compounds can produce.
Something that I did find from scouring through old PubMed articles looking at the various kinds of arthritis treatment was a compound called Tocilizumab, which seems to be able to inhibit the inflammatory effects of interleukin-6.
Study #1: Inhibiting interleukin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis
Abstract – Interleukin (IL)-6 is the most abundant proinflammatory cytokine in the circulation and synovial joints of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. It has pivotal roles in the immune response and inflammation. In rheumatoid arthritis, it causes synovitis, joint destruction, and many systemic manifestations. Clinical trials of tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-6 signaling, have demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It heralds a new era of anticytokine therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
Study #2: Humanized antihuman IL-6 receptor antibody, tocilizumab
Abstract – Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates immune responses and inflammatory reactions. Overproduction of IL-6 has been shown to play a role in inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and, therefore, an agent blocking IL-6 actions can be a therapy of these diseases. IL-6 belongs to a cytokine family, which shares the cytokine receptor subunit glycoprotein (gp) 130. This family also includes IL-11, oncostatin-M, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) system, both a membrane-bound IL-6R and a soluble form of IL-6R are able to mediate IL-6 signals into the cells through the interaction of gp130. Tocilizumab is a humanized antihuman IL-6 receptor antibody designed using genetic engineering technology. Tocilizumab recognizes both the membrane-bound and the soluble form IL-6R and specifically blocks IL-6 actions. Tocilizumab is expected to ameliorate the autoimmune inflammatory diseases with IL-6 overproduction and has been clinically developed as a therapeutic agent for RA, systemic-onset and articular types of JIA, Crohn’s disease, etc. Tocilizumab has been shown to be effective not only for improving signs and symptoms but also for preventing joint destruction of RA. Immunopharmacology and clinical benefit of tocilizumab in RA is addressed.
Study #3: Interleukin-6–a key mediator of systemic and local symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis.
Abstract – Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine, present at elevated levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Il-6 signaling involves both a specific IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and a ubiquitous signal-transducing protein, gp130 that is also utilized by other members of the IL-6 family. Il-6 signaling occurs by two mechanisms. Conventional signaling involves the binding of IL-6 to transmembrane IL-6R on cells expressing this receptor. In contrast, trans-signaling involves binding between the complex of soluble IL-6R/IL-6 and membrane-bound gp130. Trans-signaling allows IL-6 to affect cells that do not express IL-6R, including many synovial cells. The biological activities of IL-6 contribute to both systemic and local RA symptoms. Il-6 is a strong inducer of the acute-phase response, which can result in fever, secondary amyloidosis, anemia, and elevations in acute-phase proteins, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). The ability of IL-6 to induce B-cell differentiation may lead to the formation of rheumatoid factor and other autoantibodies. In joints, IL-6 promotes osteoclast activation and induces the release of matrix metalloproteinases, thus contributing to joint damage. In patients with RA, IL-6 levels correlate with markers of disease activity and clinical symptoms, and animal studies support the concept that this cytokine plays a role in the development of inflammatory arthritis. Clinical trials with tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to soluble IL-6R, have shown that blocking IL-6 signaling reduces RA symptoms and markers of disease activity. Current evidence thus strongly supports the association between IL-6 and RA symptoms and suggests that IL-6 blockade will be a useful therapeutic strategy for patients with this disease.
Analysis:
Interleukin-6 is supposed the be the most abundant type of cytokine which causes inflammation when the body is under attack as a defense mechanism. This effect by the interleukin-6 is what causes different types of arthritis. From the 3rd study…
“In joints, IL-6 promotes osteoclast activation and induces the release of matrix metalloproteinases, thus contributing to joint damage…”
It was found that this compound known as tocilizumab has some way to inhibit the function of the interluekin-6.
It is described as being “a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody”
The main part that is fully understood is that it is anti-IL-6. The next part of its description which makes some type of sense is that it attaches to the receptor of the IL-6 to block it from doing something.
Tocilizumab was created by genetic engineering to be an antibody to be able to recognize the IL-6 receptor, known as IL-6R in two states, in the soluble form and the membrane-bound one. It was clinically developed to be a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. It seems that it also helps in preventing the joints from being broken.
Implications For Height Increase Application
This compound known as Tocilizumab is something that can definitely treat rheumatoid arthritis and prevent the destruction of the joints. The studies I have found does not really say whether it produces any type of anabolic cartilage matrix material. It would probably be most effective towards working on older individuals who are suffering height loss from joint deterioration. It would probably have the most height altering affect by preventing dramatic height loss.