Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhance the Healing Process of Tendinitis in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: Achilles tendon pathologies occur frequently and have a significant socioeconomic impact. Currently, there is no evidence on the best treatment for these pathologies. Cell therapy has been studied in several animal models, and encouraging results have been observed with respect to tissue regeneration. This study is aimed at evaluating the functional and histological effects of bone marrow stem cell or platelet-rich plasma implantation compared to eccentric training in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy in rats. METHODS: Fourty-one male Wistar rats received collagenase injections into their bilateral Achilles tendons (collagenase-induced tendinopathy model). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: stem cells (SC), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells+platelet-rich plasma (SC+PRP), and control (eccentric training (ET)). After 4 weeks, the Achilles tendons were excised and subjected to biomechanical and histological analyses (Sirius red and hematoxylin-eosin staining). RESULTS: Biomechanical assessments revealed no differences among the groups in ultimate tensile strength or yield strength of the tendons (p = 0.157), but there were significant differences in the elastic modulus (MPa; p = 0.044) and maximum tensile deformation (p = 0.005). The PRP group showed the greatest maximum deformation, and the SC group showed the highest Young's modulus (elasticity) measurement. In histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining), there were no differences among the groups. CONCLUSION: PRP and SC+PRP yielded better biomechanical results than eccentric training, showing that these treatments offer better tend function outcomes. This theoretical rationale for the belief that cell therapies can serve as viable alternatives to current treatments chronic fibrotic opens the door for opportunities to continue this research.

A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy.

Consumption of food products enriched with plant sterols and the use of ezetimibe reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine and effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plasma levels. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of the ezetimibe+plant sterol association in patients with coronary artery disease still not reaching recommended lipid levels despite the use of statins. We performed a prospective open-label study with 41 patients with stable coronary disease and LDL >70 mg/dL. Patients were randomized into four groups for a 6-week treatment: the control (CT) group remained on the same statin therapy, the ezetimibe (EZ) group received 10 mg/day of ezetimibe, the plant sterol (PS) group received spread enriched with 2 g of plant sterols, and the ezetimibe+PS (EZ+PS) group received 10 mg/day EZ +2 g PS. Initial mean LDL level was 97.4 ± 31.1 mg/dL in control group, 105.1 ± 23.1 mg/dL in EZ group, 95.4 ± 27.7 mg/dL in PS group, and 97.0 ± 8.3 mg/dL in EZ+PS group (P > .05). After 6 weeks of treatment, LDL of patients slightly increased in the control group (+8.9%; P > .05) and dropped in EZ group (-19.1%; P = .06), PS group (-16.6%; P = .01), and EZ+PS group (-27.3%; P < .01). Mean LDL levels after treatment were 70.5 ± 17.9 mg/dL in EZ+PS group, lower than the other groups (control was 106.1 ± 34.9 mg/dL, EZ group was 85.0 ± 35.6 mg/dL, and PS was 79.6 ± 29.7 mg/dL) (P = .05 variance analysis factor [ANOVA]). Body weight, body-mass index, and glucose plasma levels did not change significantly after intervention. The combination of PS+ezetimibe was associated with lower LDL levels and suggests beneficial therapeutic effect against major cardiovascular events.

Publication of studies presented as free papers at a Brazilian national orthopedics meeting / Publicacao de trabalhos apresentados como temas livres em congresso ortopedico nacional

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate and others factors related with the publication of free papers presented at a national orthopedic meeting. METHODS: Using virtual databases we reviewed the studies presented at the 2004 Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology that were published, as well as related factors such as institution, sub-specialty, year, level of evidence, results and comparison between abstract presented and published. RESULTS: There were 58 studies published from 267 presented (21.73%). Seven (12.1%) were published in international and 51 (87.9%) in national journals, mainly RBO (55%). The publication rate was higher in the year of the event and the following year (37.9%). The sub-specialties of spine and knee showed the best correlation between the numbers of papers presented and published (respectively 40.9% and 37.9%). Most of the studies were cohort (65%) and experimental studies have been 34.5%. There was a tendency to publish positive results or statistically significant. Three institutions were responsible for most of the publications (53.4%). Works with higher level of evidence showed the highest rate of publication. The abstract published was modified in 68.5% of the form the presentation. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents data that compromises the quality of scientific of the abstracts presented at orthopedic meeting: most have a lower level of evidence and nearly 80% are not published. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o índice de publicação e os fatores relacionados de trabalhos apresentados na forma de temas livres em congresso ortopédico. MÉTODOS: Em consulta a bases de dados virtuais foram identificados os temas livres do Congresso Brasileiro de Ortopedia e Traumatologia de 2004, os quais resultaram publicados. Também foram analisados os fatores relacionados, como instituição, subespecialidade, ano, nível de evidência, resultados e comparação entre resumo apresentado e publicado. RESULTADOS: Foram publicados 58 artigos a partir dos 267 apresentados (21,73%), sete (12,1%) em revistas internacionais e 51 (87,9%) em nacionais, a mais frequente a Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (RBO) (55%). A maior taxa de publicação ocorreu até o fim do ano seguinte do evento (37,9%). As subespecialidades de coluna e joelho apresentaram a melhor correlação entre número de trabalhos apresentados e publicados (respectivamente 40,9% e 37,9%). A maioria dos estudos foi de coorte (65%) e estudos experimentais corresponderam a 34,5%. Houve tendência de publicação de resultados positivos ou estatisticamente significativos. Três instituições foram responsáveis pela maioria das publicações (53,4%). Trabalhos com maior nível de evidência e estudos anatômicos apresentaram maior índice de publicação. O texto do resumo publicado foi modificado em 68,5% dos trabalhos, mas sem alterar o teor da conclusão. CONCLUSÕES : Este estudo apresenta dados que comprometem a qualidade científica dos temas livres apresentados em congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (SBOT): a maioria tem menor nível de evidência e quase 80% não são publicados. .

Publication of studies presented as free papers at a Brazilian national orthopedics meeting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate and others factors related with the publication of free papers presented at a national orthopedic meeting. METHODS: Using virtual databases we reviewed the studies presented at the 2004 Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology that were published, as well as related factors such as institution, sub-specialty, year, level of evidence, results and comparison between abstract presented and published. RESULTS: There were 58 studies published from 267 presented (21.73%). Seven (12.1%) were published in international and 51 (87.9%) in national journals, mainly RBO (55%). The publication rate was higher in the year of the event and the following year (37.9%). The sub-specialties of spine and knee showed the best correlation between the numbers of papers presented and published (respectively 40.9% and 37.9%). Most of the studies were cohort (65%) and experimental studies have been 34.5%. There was a tendency to publish positive results or statistically significant. Three institutions were responsible for most of the publications (53.4%). Works with higher level of evidence showed the highest rate of publication. The abstract published was modified in 68.5% of the form the presentation. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents data that compromises the quality of scientific of the abstracts presented at orthopedic meeting: most have a lower level of evidence and nearly 80% are not published.