Meta-analysis of the association of IL1-RN variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism with osteoarthritis risk.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the role of Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1-RN) Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) polymorphism on the risk of OA by means of meta-analysis. METHODS: Eligible articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of science and Google scholar with a total of 1187 OA cases and 2659 controls. The strength of the association between the IL1-RN VNTR polymorphism and the risk of OA was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for each study. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of seven published studies retrieved from the literature search showed a significantly increased OA risk in the recessive model analysis (22 vs 2L + LL: Pb = 0.18, I2 = 32.8, OR(95% CI) = 1.50(1.12, 2.02), P = 0.007), the additive model analysis (22 vs LL: Pb = 0.08, I2 = 46.8, OR(95% CI) = 1.56(1.15, 2.12), P = 0.004) and in the allele contrast model (2 vs L: Pb = 0.02, I2 = 58.8, OR(95% CI) = 1.20(1.05, 1.36), P = 0.007). By subgroup analysis, the IL1-RN VNTR polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with OA susceptibility in Caucasian and Hospital based case-control study (HCC) groups. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that IL1-RN VNTR polymorphism may increase the susceptibility to OA. More studies with detailed information are needed to validate our conclusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

[Distal Chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal and soft-tissue release for hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore distal Chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal and soft-tissue release for the treatment of mild and moderate hallux valgus. METHODS: From June 2015 to June 2017, 32 patients(40 feet) with mild and moderate hallux valgus were treated with distal Chevron osteotomy with soft tissue release. including 3 males(3 feet) and 29 females (37 feet), aged from 22 to 80 years old with an average of 57.57 years old. The courses of disease ranged from 2 to 32 years with an average of 14 years. Among them, 9 feet were mild, 31 feet were moderate. Patients were combined with bunion, pain around the first metatarsal joint, and pain increased during weight-bearing walking before opertaion. AP and lateral X-rays on weight-bearing were performed, hallux valgus angle(HVA) and intermetatarsal angle(IMA) between the first and the second metatarsal were examined before and after operation. AOFAS score was applied to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with an average of 15.2 months.Fracture wounds were healed well without infection and metatarsal head necrosis occurred. Preoperative HVA (32.08±5.59)° and IMA (11.63±2.24)° decreased to (10.31±4.36)° and (5.02°±2.34)°after operation at 12 months, and had statistical difference before and after operation (P<0.05). AOFAS score increased from 56.75±6.42 before operation to 88.80±3.99 after operation at 12 months(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Distal Chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal and soft-tissue release for the treatment of mild and moderate hallux valgus could obtain good effects and provide more options for hallux valgus treatment.

Effects of MMP-1 1G/2G polymorphism on osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the role of Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) -1607 1G/2G (rs1799750) polymorphism on the osteoarthritis (OA) risk. METHODS: Articles were selected by retrieving the Web of Science, Embase and Pubmed. The strength of the association between -1607 1G/2G polymorphism and OA risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for each study. RESULTS: No significant association between -1607 1G/2G polymorphism and OA risk was found in all the models overall (2G2G vs 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 0.69 (0.36-1.32), P = 0.54; 2G2G + 2G1G vs 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 0.88 (0.47-1.63), P = 0.69; 2G2G vs 2G1G + 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 1.30 (0.68-2.47), P = 0.41; 2 G vs 1G, OR (95%CI) = 0.90 (0.86-1.54), P = 0.66). By subgroup analysis, significant association was found in the "< 60 years" group (2G2G vs 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 3.46 (2.13-5.62), P = 0.00; 2G2G + 2G1G vs 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 0.49 (0.31-0.79), P = 0.00; 2G2G vs 2G1G + 1G1G, OR (95%CI) = 2.74 (1.80-4.16, P = 0.00; 2 G vs 1G, OR (95%CI) = 0.56 (0.35-0.89), P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that -1607 1G/2G polymorphism may increase the susceptibility to OA among the younger populations (<60 years). More studies with detailed information are needed to validate our conclusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I Diagnostic Study.

NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes mediate LPS/ATP­induced pyroptosis in knee osteoarthritis.

Pyroptosis is triggered by inflammasomes after its activation by various inflammatory stimulations, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and improper pH. This may result in programmed death of the affected cell. It is well known that NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes mediate the production of various cytokines in inflammatory disorders; however, it is still unknown whether NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes can influence the LPS­induced pyroptosis in the progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In the present study, the correlation between the NLRP inflammasomes and fibroblast­like synoviocytes (FLSs) pyroptosis was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Human synovial samples were collected from KOA patients and the expression of NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes was analyzed. Human FLS were isolated in vitro and stimulated with LPS. To determine whether NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in FLS pyroptosis, NLRP1 and NLRP3 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used. The results showed that the expression of NLRPs and inflammasome­related proteins were upregulated and FLS stimulated with LPS+ATP resulted in cell pyroptosis. However, LPS+ATP­induced pyroptosis was attenuated by NLRP1 and NLRP3 siRNAs. The results of the present study indicate that LPS­induced FLS pyroptosis may be mediated by either NLRP1 or NLRP3 inflammsomes. Overall, based on the data obtained from patients and in vitro cells, the present finsings showed that NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes are highly involved in the FLS inflammation and pyroptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of NLRP1 and NLRP3 led to a remarkable reduction of pyroptosis­related cytokines. Thus, NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes may be important in the pathogenesis of OA and may represent a novel therapeutic target.