Role of Serum Micro-RNA-122-5p Expression as a Circulatory Biomarker in People Having Both Knee Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis: A Case-Control Study.

Background Although knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and osteoporosis (OP) manifest distinct pathophysiologies, they share numerous similarities. These health conditions are commonly found in older individuals, particularly among women. The objective of this study is to explore the expression of micro-RNA (miRNA) 122-5p (miR-122-5p) in people affected by both KOA and OP. The main aim is to identify diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, which could help develop personalized treatment approaches. Methods As part of the study, a total of 268 serum samples were collected from the participants, who were divided into four groups: KOA, OP, KOA and OP, and controls, with 67 subjects per group. The miRNA species-containing total RNA was isolated from the serum samples using an miRNeasy serum/plasma kit by QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany). The expression of miR-122-5p was examined in each group using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Expression of miR-122-5p in all three groups (KOA, OP, and common group of KOA and OP) was significantly upregulated, and the fold change value was much higher in the group having both diseases. Conclusions These results might contribute to the identification of cases at risk, early diagnosis, and development, and might also contribute to the development of therapeutic targets in subjects having both KOA and OP.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA): an OA Trial Bank protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Observational data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to date investigating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in knee OA have reported conflicting results. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of vitamin D on patient-reported outcomes and determine whether there are patient subgroups who may benefit from the supplementation. The aim of this individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis is to identify patient-level predictors of treatment response to vitamin D supplementation on pain and physical function. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic literature search will be conducted for RCTs of vitamin D supplementation on knee OA. Authors of original RCTs will be contacted to obtain the IPD. The primary outcomes will include long-term (≥12 months) pain and physical function. Secondary outcomes will include medium-term (≥6 months and <12 months) and short-term (<6 months) pain and physical function, as well as patient global assessment, quality of life and adverse events. Potential treatment effect modifiers to be examined in the subgroup analyses include age, gender, body mass index, baseline knee pain severity and physical function, baseline vitamin D level, radiographic stage, presence of bone marrow lesions on MRI, presence of clinical signs of local inflammation and concomitant depressive symptoms. Both one-step and two-step modelling methods will be used to determine the possible modifiable effect of each subgroup of interest. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Research ethical or governance approval is exempt for this study as no new data are being collected. This study will be the first IPD meta-analysis to clarify the effect of vitamin D supplementation on clinical symptoms in different subgroups of patients with knee OA. The findings will be disseminated through peer-review publications and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018107740.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of SMAD3 and BMP5 with the Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: The role of genetic factors influencing osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility is well documented and several candidate genes have been identified to be associated with it. Among these genes are Bone Morphogenetic Protein 5 (BMP5) and Smad family member 3 (SMAD3), all involved in Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) signaling pathway. The knee is the commonly affected joint, and knee OA has an especially high prevalence in Asian population. AIM: To investigate associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12901499 in SMAD3 and rs921126 in the BMP5 gene with knee OA susceptibility in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SNPs rs12901499 in SMAD3 and rs921126 in BMP5 were genotyped in patients with knee OA and age- sex matched OA-free controls from our population. A total of 450 patients with knee OA and 458 controls were enrolled in the study. Venous blood samples were obtained from all cases as well as controls for PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Data was collected and entered in excel sheets. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using statistical software package SPSS version 16.0. Chi-square, Student's t-test and logistic regression tests were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: GA and GG genotypes of both SNPs (rs12901499 and rs921126), and variant G, were associated with a significantly increased risk of knee OA. A significantly increased risk of knee OA was associated with the genotype GG and GA of rs12901499 (p < 0.03 and p <0.004 respectively) and rs921126 (p< 0.0001 and p<0.001 respectively) compared with the AA genotype. In addition, those bearing at least one G allele (GG + GA) had a significantly increased risk of knee OA compared with those without the G allele (AA) in rs921126 (p< 0.0001). However, in rs12901499, significant association with the risk of knee OA was not found (p<0.4). On age and gender based stratification, the association between the risk of OA and rs921126 GG mutant compared with AA homozygotes was strong in both gender (adjusted OR= 2.93 for male and 2.25 for female) and in those aged >55 years (adjusted OR= 3.4), similarly in rs12901499, GG mutant compared with AA homozygote was strong in female (adjusted OR= 1.5) and in those aged >55 years (adjusted OR= 1.5). CONCLUSION: The results showed that both in SMAD3 rs12901499 and BMP5 921126, G allele is significantly associated with knee OA. A to G change and variant G genotype may contribute to knee OA risk in our study population of Lucknow.