Association of Achilles tendon thickness and LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendons are the most common sites of tendon xanthomas that are commonly caused by disturbance of lipid metabolism. Achilles tendon thickening is the early characteristic of Achilles tendon xanthomas. The relationship between Achilles tendon thickness (ATT) and LDL-C levels, and risk factors of ATT in patients with hypercholesterolemia, have thus far been poorly documented. METHODS: A total of 205 individuals, aged 18-75 years, were enrolled from March 2014 to March 2015. According to the LDL-C levels and the "Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults", all subjects were divided into 3 groups: normal group (LDL-C < 3.37 mmol/L, n = 51); borderline LDL-C group (3.37 mmol/L ≤ LDL-C ≤ 4.12 mmol/L, n = 50); and hypercholesterolemia group (LDL ≥ 4.14 mmol/L, n = 104). ATT was measured using a standardized digital radiography method and the results were compared among the 3 groups. The correlation between ATT and serum LDL-C levels was analyzed by Pearson's correlation, and the risk factors of ATT were determined by the logistic regression model. RESULTS: ATT in borderline LDL-C group was 8.24 ± 1.73 mm, markedly higher than 6.05 ± 0.28 mm of normal group (P < 0.05). ATT in hypercholesterolemia group was 9.42 ± 3.63 mm which was significantly higher than that of normal group (P < 0.005) and that of borderline LDL-C group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the serum LDL-C levels and ATT (r = 0.346, P < 0.001). The serum LDL-C level was a risk factor (OR = 1.871, 95% CI: 1.067-3.280) while the levels of HDL-C (OR = 0.099, 95% CI: 0.017-0.573) and Apo AI (OR = 0.035, 95% CI: 0.003-0.412) were protective factors of ATT. CONCLUSIONS: ATT might serve as a valuable auxiliary diagnostic index for hypercholesterolemia and used for the assessment and management of cardiovascular disease.

Effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 120 cases of psoriasis vulgaris were divided into 4 groups according to syndrome differentiation of TCM and randomized controlled method: wind heat syndrome group (group A), blood stasis syndrome group (group B), blood dryness syndrome group (group C) and control group (group D) (n=30 per group). Patients in observation groups were treated with Yinxieling decoction, while patients in control group were treated by placebo for 8 weeks. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were determined before treatment, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. psoriasis area and severity index score was also performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: psoriasis area and severity index score and serum level of TNF-α, IL-8 were significantly decreased in all groups. The decrease in three observation groups was more significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the decrease in wind heat syndrome group was the most significant (P<0.01). psoriasis area and severity index was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-8, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yinxieling decoction has therapeutical effect on psoriasis vulgaris via regulating TNF-α and IL-8.

Effect of pharmacological intervention on MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 expression in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression level of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1)α, MIP-1ß and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in with psoriasis vulgaris and explore the role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood from 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 50 normal controls were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was analyzed. The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 was compared between psoriasis vulgaris patients at active stage and resting stage. And the change in MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 before and after therapy was also observed. RESULTS: The content of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris was (1342.78 ± 210.30), (175.28 ± 28.18) and (266.86 ± 32.75) ng/L, respectively, significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was positively correlated with PASI (P<0.01). After acitretin therapy, expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Chemokine factor MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.