Apigenin Regulates Interleukin-1β-Induced Production of Matrix Metalloproteinase Both in the Knee Joint of Rat and in Primary Cultured Articular Chondrocytes

We examined whether apigenin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the knee joint of rat to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effects of apigenin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), and ADAMTS-5. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of apigenin on IL-1β-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of apigenin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, apigenin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5. Furthermore, apigenin inhibited the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 in vitro, and inhibited production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the gene expression, secretion, and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

Risk Factors of Cage Subsidence after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for subsidence after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), cage characteristics (titanium or poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK)) and degree of disc distraction are risk factors for cage subsidence after PLIF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to January 2015, a total of 69 patients (93 segments) who were diagnosed with degenerative lumbar spine disease at the current authors' institution and underwent follow-up for at least 1 year were included in this retrospective study. Data on all factors related to cage subsidence were taken into consideration. The degree of association for each of the factors was determined through the calculation of odds ratios (ORs) with a 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression analyses were performed. The P-value that represented statistical significance was set below 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between fused segment level and cage subsidence (p=0.588), nor were there any significant associations between the kind of cage (titanium or PEEK) and cage subsidence (p=0.371). Using logistic regression, the factors with a P-value below the 0.20 level in univariate analyses were included in the multivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.029, OR, 4.524), osteoporosis (p=0.026, OR, 6.046), and degree of disc distraction (p=0.010, OR, 1.446) had significant associations with cage subsidence. In addition, there were significant associations between cage subsidence and instrument failure (p=0.008, OR, 8.235). CONCLUSIONS: DM and osteoporosis, which may affect bony structures, have significant associations with cage subsidence after PLIF. Cage insertion with excessive disc distraction during surgery may also affect cage subsidence after PLIF.

Risk Factors of Wrist Stiffness after Treatment for Distal Radius Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate risk factors for wrist stiffness after treatment of distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 55 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with distal radius fracture at the current authors' institution and followed-up for at least 6 months were included in this retrospective study. Data on all factors related to wrist stiffness were considered. The degree of association for each of the factors was determined by calculation of the odds ratio (OR), with a 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression analyses were performed. p-value was set below 0.05. RESULTS: Among radiologic indexes reflecting the degrees of fracture reduction, only ulnar variance showed significant association with wrist stiffness of distal radius fracture (p<0.05). In univariate analysis, age (p=0.037; OR, 1.051) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.016; OR, 8.000) showed significant association with wrist stiffness. Various factors significant at the p-value less than 0.20 level in univariate analyses were included in the multivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, only DM (p=0.034; OR, 6.588) showed significant association with wrist stiffness. CONCLUSION: Contraction of DM is critical to avoid wrist stiffness of distal radius fracture patients. In addition, ulnar variance was considered a significant factor of wrist stiffness in distal radius fracture patients, thus reduction of fracture could be done more in proximity to normal anatomy.