[New Developments in Research on the Relationship Between Osteoarthritis and Oral-Gut Microbes]

From common to unreported: a real-world study of adverse events to duloxetine in the treatment of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

In a review of drug guidelines published by the International Association for the Study of Osteoarthritis, it is recommended to support the conditional use of duloxetine in patients with osteoarthritis. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the adverse events of duloxetine for the treatment of osteoarthritis populations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used the reporting odds ratio (ROR) to determine the strength of the adverse event signal. In addition, we investigated trends in the occurrence of adverse events using the Weibull shape parameter (WSP) test.

RESULTS

The results showed that 50 and 14 adverse events were detected in both Asian and American populations. Four new adverse events, Mouth ulceration, femoral neck fracture, incontinence, long QT syndrome, were identified. There was a difference in the time of adverse event induction between the North American and Asian populations (p < 0.0001). The Weibull shape parameter (WSP) test showed that the incidence of AE decreased over time.

CONCLUSION

Our study contributes to an in-depth understanding of the safety of duloxetine in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

[Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1α Inhibits Chondrocyte Apoptosis and Promotes Autophagy Through the Akt Signaling Pathway]

Objective

To investigate the effects of stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) on the apoptosis and autophagy of chondrocytes and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Chondrocytes were isolated from the knee joints of neonatal mice. The chondrocytes were then stimulated with 0 (the control group), 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL of SDF-1α. CCK-8 assay was performed to determine the effects of SDF-1α stimulation for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h on the viability of the chondrocytes. Wound healing assay was conducted to determine the effects of SDF-1α stimulation for 12 h and 24 h on chondrocyte migration. The changes in the expression of Akt signaling pathway proteins in chondrocytes were determined by Western blot assay. Chondrocytes were stimulated with 0 (the control group) and 200 ng/mL of SDF-1α. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the effect of SDF-1α on the apoptosis of chondrocytes. Transmission electron microscope was used to examine the effect of SDF-1α on chondrocyte autophagy. Immunofluorescence staining assays were performed to visualize the differences in p-Akt expression and distribution in chondrocytes treated with SDF-1α.

Results

Compared with the control group, findings for the experimental groups showed that SDF-1α at the concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL did not decrease chondrocyte activity at any time point (P<0.01) and it consistently promoted chondrocyte migration at 24 h (P<0.05). Western blot results revealed that, in comparison to the control group, SDF-1α at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL significantly up-regulated the protein expression of p-Akt in chondrocytes, while no significant difference in Akt expression was observed. Flow cytometry demonstrated that SDF-1α could inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis (P<0.05) and transmission electron microscopic observation showed that SDF-1α promoted chondrocyte autophagy (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of p-Akt in chondrocytes was concentrated in the perinuclear area of the cells and this expression was further enhanced in the perinuclear area of the chondrocytes after treatment with SDF-1α.

Conclusion

SDF-1α inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis and promotes chondrocyte migration and autophagy through activating the Akt signaling pathway.

[Correlation Between Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Lipid Levels in Hyperlipidemic Patients]

Objective

To investigate the correlation between the plasma levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and lipid levels in hyperlipidemic patients.

Methods

A total of 130 patients who received treatment and underwent coronary angiography at the Heart Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between March 2019 and March 2021 were enrolled. Patients' plasma TMAO levels were determined by stable isotope liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The correlation between plasma TMAO levels and the levels of lipids, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), was analyzed.

Results

Patients with hyperlipidemia had higher plasma TMAO levels (μmol/L) than patients without hyperlipidemia did (6.73±5.40 vs. 3.82±2.65), with the difference being statistically significant ( P<0.05). After controlling for the effects of age and body mass index, partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma TMAO levels were positively correlated with plasma TG ( r=0.286, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with HDL-C ( r=-0.366, P<0.001).

Conclusion

There is a correlation between plasma TMAO levels and lipid levels in hyperlipidemic patients.