Effects of IL-32 polymorphisms and IL-32 levels on the susceptibility and severity of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-32 (IL-32) has long been proposed as a biomarker for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the association between IL-32 levels and coronary stenosis severity, IL-32 polymorphisms rs28372698 and rs4786370, and CAD susceptibility. METHODS: A total of 362 patients with definite or suspected CAD that underwent angiography were recruited (CAD group, n = 175; nonobstructive CAD group, n = 56; control group, n = 131). The severity of coronary stenosis was assessed using the Gensini score and the number of diseased vessels. IL-32 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR and sequencing techniques. RESULTS: IL-32 levels were significantly different at different levels of coronary artery stenosis (p < 0.05), and logIL-32 was positively correlated with the Gensini score (r = 0.357, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that IL-32 was independently associated with CAD (OR = 6.526, 95% CI: 3.344-12.739, p < 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the area under the curve for discriminating the CAD and Gensini score were 0.605 and 0.613, respectively. Furthermore, IL-32 levels were significantly higher before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than at 7 days post-PCI (p = 0.012). The homozygous TT genotype and T allele of rs28372698 were found to be associated with increased risk of CAD, while TT homozygosity and the T allele of rs4786370 with reduced risk of CAD (p < 0.05). However, both SNPs had no obvious effect on IL-32 levels or coronary stenosis severity in patients with CAD. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to show that rs28372698 and rs4786370 are associated with CAD susceptibility in Chinese Han population. We also suggest that plasma IL-32 levels may be indicative of coronary artery stenosis and the efficacy of PCI and provide guidance for risk stratification and disease management.

Effect of Liuweiwuling tablet on biochemical and virological parameters, and quality of life in patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Liuweiwuling (LWWL) tablet, a kind of plant-derived traditional Chinese medicine preparation, has been widely applied as a promising adjunctive drug for hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis (HBVC). However, its exact clinical efficacy and safety is still not well investigated. In this study, we aimed to summarize the efficacy of LWWL tablet on biochemical and virological parameters, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HBVC through the meta-analysis. METHODS: All available randomized controlled trials and high-quality prospective cohort studies that investigated the efficacy and safety of LWWL for patients with HBVC were searched from the following electronic databases: PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Excerpt Medica Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Database. Papers in Chinese or English published from January 2000 to August 2020 will be included without any restrictions.Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 authors. The clinical outcomes including biochemical (liver function and fibrosis indexes) and virological parameters, QoL, immune function and adverse events, were systematically evaluated. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, meta regression, subgroup analysis, and risk of bias assessment. RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and provide a helpful evidence for clinicians to formulate the best postoperative adjuvant treatment strategy for HBVC patients. CONCLUSION: Our study will draw an objective conclusion of the efficacy of LWWL on biochemical and virological parameters, and QoL in patients with HBVC. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202080010.

Effect of sodium cantharidinate/vitamin B6 injection on survival, liver function, immune function, and quality of life in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Protocol for a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sodium cantharidinate/vitamin B6 (SC/VB6) injection, a famous insect-derived traditional Chinese medicine preparation, has been widely applied as a promising adjunctive drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its exact clinical efficacy and safety is still not well investigated. In this study, we aimed to summarize the efficacy of SC/VB6 injection on survival, liver function, immune function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HCC through the meta-analysis. METHODS: All available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high-quality prospective cohort studies that investigated the efficacy and safety of SC/VB6 for patients with HCC were searched from ten electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Excerpt Medica Database (Embase), Medline, Web of Science (WOS), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Scientific Journal Database (CSJ), and Wanfang Database. Papers in Chinese or English published from January 2000 to July 2020 will be included without any restrictions.Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by 2 researchers. The clinical outcomes including overall survival (OS), QoL, liver function, immune function, and adverse events, were systematically evaluated. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for data analysis, and the quality of the clinical trials was also evaluated. RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and provide a helpful evidence for clinicians to formulate the best postoperative adjuvant treatment strategy for HCC patients. CONCLUSION: Our study will draw an objective conclusion of the efficacy of SC/VB6 on survival, liver function, immune function, and QoL in patients with HCC. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202070121.