Re: IBD & Dioxins Link?

> Is there a direct link between IBD and Dioxins?
> Are people with CD/UD more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis?

[A role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the dioxin TCDD in
rheumatoid arthritis]
Objective. Environmental factors are involved in RA pathogenesis and
epidemiological studies have suggested that smoking is an
environmental risk factor for RA. TCDD is one of the major toxic
components in cigarettes ...
Conclusion. TNF-alpha activates AhR expression in RA synovial tissue,
and that cigarette smoking and exposure to TCDD enhances RA
inflammatory processes. TCDD induces inflammatory cytokines via its
association with AhR, resulting in stimulation of the NF-kappaB and
ERK signalling cascades. Thus TCDD exposure, such as smoking
exacerbates RA pathophysiology. PMID: 18617548