Evaluation of the PLAC8 Gene in Mexican Women With and Without Preeclampsia and Obesity.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal-fetal mortality worldwide, and obesity is an important risk factor. Genes associated with pathophysiological events common to preeclampsia and obesity, such as PLAC8, remain to be studied; therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate this gene in the placentas of women affected with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. This case-controlled study included 71 healthy and 64 preeclampsia pregnancies. Gene expression was evaluated in primary human cytotrophoblasts (PHCT) from six normal and six preeclampsia pregnancies, and protein expression was verified in placentas from five healthy and six preeclampsia pregnancies. The whole coding and 5' regions of the PLAC8 gene were sequenced from healthy (n = 10) and preeclamptic (n = 10) pregnancies. The presence of the observed nucleotide variations was analyzed by RT-PCR in the total population. Statistical analyses were performed accordingly. Obesity was associated with severe preeclampsia (SPE) (OR = 3.34; CI 95% 1.3-8.2, p < 0.01). Significantly higher mRNA and protein expression was observed in preeclamptic vs. healthy placentas (p < 0.05). After sequencing, a single nucleotide variation was identified in 10 cases and one control (p < 0.01), which was then evaluated in the total population showing no association with preeclampsia. This preliminary study confirms the association of SPE with obesity and suggests higher expression of PLAC8 mRNA and protein in placentas from preeclampsia. No differences in nucleotide variations between cases and controls of the whole population were observed. Further research is required to evaluate the implications of higher gene/protein expression in preeclampsia and the causes of such variation.

Effect of Normal Saline Injections on Lateral Epicondylitis Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a painful degenerative disorder that commonly occurs in adults between 40 and 60 years of age. Normal saline (NS) injections have been used as placebo through a large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis of RCTs aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of NS injections on lateral epicondylitis symptoms and compare results with established minimal clinically important difference criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for clinical trials reporting pain and joint function with the visual analog scale, Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand in patients with lateral epicondylitis. The meta-analysis was conducted with a random effects model and generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was tested with the I2 statistic index. RESULTS: A total of 15 RCTs included in this meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in pain (mean difference, 3.61 cm [95% CI, 2.29-4.92 cm]; P < .00001; I2 = 88%; visual analog scale) and function (mean difference, 25.65 [95% CI, 13.30-37.99]; P < .0001; I2 = 82%; Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation / Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) after NS injection (≥6 months). CONCLUSION: NS injections yielded a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pain and functional outcomes in patients with lateral epicondylitis. New research should focus on better methods to diminish the potential confounders that could lead to this effect because NS injections could mask the real effect of an active therapeutic intervention in RCT. REGISTRATION: CRD42019127547 (PROSPERO).

Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability and a prevalent chronic disease. The use of collagen is growing due to the satisfactory results in the treatment of OA. However, the possible beneficial effects of collagen for the treatment of OA are currently controversial. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of collagen-based supplements on OA symptoms. METHODS: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of orally administered collagen on OA symptoms using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale and/or the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and a generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic index. RESULTS: Collagen treatment showed a significant reduction in the score of total WOMAC index (WMD - 8.00; 95% CI - 13.04, - 2.95; p = 0.002). After subgroup analysis of the WOMAC subscores, the collagen supplementation revealed a significant decrease in the stiffness subscore (WMD - 0.41; 95% CI - 0.74, - 0.08; p = 0.01), whereas the pain (WMD - 0.22; 95% CI - 1.58, 1.13; p = 0.75) and functional limitation (WMD - 0.62; 95% CI - 5.77, 4.52; p = 0.81) subscores did not have significant differences. Finally, a significant reduction was found in the VAS score after collagen administration (WMD - 16.57; 95% CI - 26.24, - 6.89; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis showed that collagen is effective in improving OA symptoms by the decrease of both total WOMAC index and VAS score.

Elevated triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio associated with insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death worldwide and insulin resistance (IR) plays an important role for its development. In addition, IR has been associated with hypertension and metabolic syndrome according to the triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol (TGL/HDL) ratio. We undertook this study to determine whether the TGL/HDL ratio is associated with IR in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including healthy men and nonpregnant women was performed. Individuals with IR were compared against subjects without IR. Variables studied were age, gender, body mass index, and waist circumference. Exclusion criteria were chronic diseases such as renal disease, hepatic disease, malignancy, and diabetes. RESULTS: A total of 177 subjects were enrolled, 117 females (66.1%) and 60 males (33.9%). Of these, 145 (93 females and 52 males) with IR were compared against 32 subjects (24 females and 8 males) without IR. Elevated ratio TGL/HDL ratio was detected in 89 (61.4%) and 12 (38.6%) subjects with and without IR, respectively. The elevated TGL/HDL ratio was significantly associated with IR (OR 2.64, 95% CI = 1.12-6.29). CONCLUSIONS: In apparently healthy subjects, elevated TGL/HDL ratio was significantly associated with the presence of IR.