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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Administration, Oral, Adult, Antibodies, Viral, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, B-Lymphocytes, Epitopes, Fasting, Female, Humans, Immunity, Mucosal, Influenza Vaccines, Injections, Subcutaneous, Male, Middle Aged.
user
Does fasting enhance mucosal antigen specific B cell responses in rheumatoid arthritis? Context: To evaluate the influence of fasting on the antigen specific immune responsiveness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy volunteers. Seven rheumatoid arthritis patients and 17 healthy volunteers were immunised perorally or parenterally with influenza virus vaccine after a three to six day long period of total energy deprivation (water fast). The subsequent antigen specific antibody mediated immune response was recorded in the blood at the single cell level by the ELISPOT method. Short term starvation induced an enhanced antigen specific mucosa derived B lymphocyte response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers. In contrast, the systemic B cell responses were not significantly altered by a total energy deprivation.
assistant
Short term starvation increases the mucosa derived B cell responsiveness, while systemic responsiveness is largely unaffected. The similar pattern of response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers indicates that fasting alters the mucosal immune response independently of medical treatment. Final Decision: yes