Editorial Commentary: Bad For Your Cuff. Smoking Causes Alterations in Gene Expression Resulting in Inflammation, Fatty Degeneration, and Fibrosis. Or Maybe Not?

Hohmann, Erik · Arthroscopy · 2019

editorial · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Gene expression is the transcription from DNA to RNA and then translation into proteins or other mediators. Smoking causes alterations in gene expression and can result in inflammatory changes, fatty degeneration, and fibrosis in patients with rotator cuff disease. Whether the smoking-related upregulation of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein is one of the responsible factors for rotator cuff tears and also influences healing after surgery is currently not known. The current evidence is inconclusive and controversial.

Medical subject headings

Anatomy