Vitamin D Receptor Gene, Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 Polymorphisms and the Risk of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Susceptibility: Meta-Analysis

Several studies have evaluated the association between vitamin D receptor, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. The findings were inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the association between vitamin D receptor, MMP-3 polymorphisms and the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. A search of various databases was done covering all papers published until December 31th, 2014. Eight, 4, 3 studies were finally included that addressed the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility and vitamin D receptor FokI (rs2228570), ApaI (rs7975232), and MMP-3 (rs731236) polymorphisms, respectively. FokI (f vs. F: summary odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–1.69; ff vs. FF: OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.59–1.77; ff vs. Ff/FF: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.70–1.58), ApaI (a vs. A: OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.45–1.19; aa vs. AA: OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.22–1.25 p=0.14; aa vs. AA/Aa: OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53–0.89) in the vitamin D receptor gene and MMP3 polymorphisms (5A vs. 6A: OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.77–4.80; 5A5A vs. 6A6A: OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 0.75–6.24; 5A5A vs. 5A6A/6A6A: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.72–3.44) were not obviously associated with risk of intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility. FokI, ApaI polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene and MMP-3 polymorphism are not obvious risk factors for intervertebral disc degeneration susceptibility.

Clinical Observation of Yinxieling Tablets for the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the efficacy of Yinxieling Tablets(YT) for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris(PV),and to explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Forty-eight PV patients were equally randomized into two groups.The two groups received external application of Fubirun ointment.Additionally,the treatment group received oral use of YT(mainly composed of Radix Rehmanniae,Radix Angelicae Sinensis,Radix Paeoniae Rubra,Rhizoma Chuanxiong,Radix Arnebiae seu Lithospermi,Rhizoma Curcumae,Herba Chloranthi Spicati,Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae,Fructus Mume,Radix Glycyrrhizae,etc.),and the control group received oral use of Acitretin Capsules.Four weeks constituted one treatment course,and the treatment in both groups lasted 2 courses.After treatment,the relief of symptoms and signs in both groups was evaluated by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) scoring,the side effects were monitored,and serum interferon-gamma(IFN-?)level was measured.Results(1) At the end of the first treatment course,the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P0.05).(2) After one treatment course,serum IFN-? level was decreased in both groups(P0.05).(3) The adverse effects of dry skin,abdominal discomfort,dry lips and abnormal hepatic and renal function were not obvious in the treatment group(P