Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Characterization of lipidic plaque materials at calcified atheroma: its association with calcification thickness evaluated by optical coherence tomography and near-infrared spectroscopy imaging

Introduction

The degree of calcification and its thickness have been considered to affect stent expansion, leading to an increases risk of repeat revascularization in patients receiving PCI. Pathophysiologically, accumulation of lipidic materials within vessel wall could trigger the formation of plaque calcification. Elucidating characteristics of lipidic plaque components at calcified atheroma may enable to identify phenotypes with thick calcification which less likely responds to PCI.

Purpose

This study investigated the relationship of calcification thickness with lipidic plaque materials at calcified atheroma by using OCT and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging.

Methods

We analyzed 52 calcified lesions (culprit/non culprit lesions=44/8) in 47 CAD patients (stable CAD/ACS=36/11) from the REASSURE-NIRS registry (NCT04864171). OCT and NIRS imaging evaluated 4-mm segment exhibiting maximum superficial calcification arc. Calcification thickness on OCT imaging, its arc on IVUS imaging, and NIRS-derived lipid arc were analyzed at every 1-mm interval cross-sectional images. In addition, yellow-calcification ratio (YCR = lipid arc/calcification arc) was calculated (Figure 1).

Results

53% of study subjects exhibited chronic kidney disease and 70% of them received a statin (averaged on-treatment LDL-C =89mg/dL). Throughout OCT and NIRS/IVUS imaging analysis of 260 cross-sectional images, the averaged calcification arc, its maximum thickness, lipid arc and YCR were 210° (167–285°), 0.78mm (0.62–0.95mm), 95° (31–169°) and 0.33 (0.09–0.59), respectively. As expected, thicker calcification more likely exhibited a greater calcification arc (r=0.30, p&lt;0.001). Furthermore, a greater thickness of calcification was associated with smaller lipidic plaque burden, reflected by yellow arc (r=−0.36, p&lt;0.001) and YCR (r=−0.36, p&lt;0.001) (Figure 2). After adjusting age, gender and ACS, calcification arc (p&lt;0.001) and YCR (p&lt;0.001) continued to predict thicker calcification.

Conclusion

Thickening of calcification was associated with severer calcification arc, which was accompanied by the shrinkage of lipidic plaques. Our findings suggest the evaluation of lipidic plaque component as a potential tool to identify calcified atheroma harbouring thick calcification, which may cause a greater risk of stent underexpansion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Deterioration of cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction defined by the society for cardiovascular angiography and intervention cardiogenic shock classification scheme

Background

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in patients with AMI presents worse cardiovascular outcomes, which suggests the need for better risk stratification and management. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) has recently proposed CS classification scheme, which stratifies CS into 5 groups according to hypotension and hypoperfusion. While stage A and B exhibits CS without hypotension and/or hypoperfusion, their clinical condition could rapidly deteriorate into stage C-E. However, clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of CS exhibiting its deterioration remains uncertain.

Purpose

To characterize AMI patients who deteriorated their CS status from stage A and B into stage C-E.

Methods

This single-center observational study included 326 consecutive AMI patients receiving primary PCI who presented CS stage A and B on arrival (2019.09.01–2021.09.30). Deterioration of CS (D-CS) was defined as the progression from stage A and B on arrival to stage C-E after primary PCI. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared in those with and without D-CS.

Results

D-CS was identified in 16.0% of entire subjects (=52/326). Of these, 94.2 and 5.8% of them exhibited stage C and E, respectively (Figure). Patients with D-CS more likely presented STEMI (84.6 vs. 67.9%, p=0.01) with a lower systolic BP (sBP) level (130±31 vs. 148±26mmHg, p&lt;0.001) and a reduced LVEF (43±13 vs. 51±9%, p&lt;0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in lactate level (1.5±0.4 vs. 1.2±0.3 mmol/L, p=0.22). Pre-TIMI flow grade 0–1 (69.2 vs. 47.8%, p=0.006), left main trunk stenosis (9.6 vs. 1.5%, p=0.007) and chronic total occlusion (21.2 vs. 8.4%, p=0.01) were more frequently observed in those with D-CS. Despite achieving a shorter onset-to-reperfusion time (199 vs. 276 minutes, p=0.002), D-CS was associated with in-hospital all-cause mortality after adjusting clinical characteristics (HR=33.6, 95% CI: 2.2–502.0, p=0.01). Furthermore, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) (30.8 vs. 0%, p&lt;0.001) was more frequently required in patients with D-CS (IABP: 28.8 vs. 0%, p&lt;0.001, ECMO: 11.5 vs. 0%, p&lt;0.001, Impella: 3.8 vs. 0%, p=0.02). Further analysis identified sBP (HR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–1.00, p=0.008), LVEF (HR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.97, p&lt;0.001) and pre-TIMI flow grade 0–1 (HR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.19–0.86, p=0.01) as independent contributors to D-CS. ROC analysis demonstrated sBP &lt;135 mmHg (AUC=0.65) and LVEF &lt;50% (AUC=0.69) as best cut-off values to predict D-CS. Of note, a risk of D-CS increased in association with the number of these three factors (p&lt;0.001), and 44.0% of those with all of these factors presented D-CS (Figure).

Conclusion

16.0% of AMI without any hypotension/hypoperfusion on arrival exhibited deterioration of CS status on SCAI classification. The combination of sBP, LVEF and pre-TIMI flow grade could help to identify AMI subjects with a risk of D-CS, who may benefit from early adoption of intensified management including MCS prior to PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

SPECT-guided myocardial perfusion and metabolic fatty acid planar imaging to assess the severity of the pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Background

Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) represent right ventricular (RV) enlargement and hypertrophy, which consequently increase the RV myocardial perfusion. Although the main energy source of myocardium is fatty acid, it remains unknown whether myocardial fatty acid metabolism is altered in loaded RV. Herein, we report a novel approach to assess the RV perfusion and fatty acid metabolism, which is called SPECT-guided planar imaging.

Purpose

To evaluate if SPECT-guided myocardial perfusion and metabolic fatty acid planar imaging reflects the severity of the pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Methods

The study groups included 30 patients with CTEPH and 20 healthy controls. In these patients with CTEPH, 15 patients underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) by right heart catheterization was obtained in all CTEPH patients. 201Thallium (201Tl) and iodine-123-beta-methyl iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) planar myocardial imaging was performed in all participants. For the patients undergoing PEA, repetitive SPECT-guided 201Tl and 123I-BMIPP planar imaging was performed one year after the procedure. To assess the RV overload, the planar images were performed in left anterior oblique position, optimized to separate the RV from the left ventricular (LV) using SPECT-guided transverse imaging. We measured the total counts of 201Tl and 123I-BMIPP in both the RV and LV. Moreover, we calculated their relative counts of the RV to LV (abbreviated as HR/HL (Tl) and HR/HL (BMIPP), respectively) to determine the indices of myocardial perfusion and fatty acid metabolism, respectively.

Results

Both HR/HL (Tl) and HR/HL (BMIPP) were elevated in the CTEPH patients compared with control (0.62±0.14 vs. 0.36±0.07, p&lt;0.01 and 0.57±0.14 vs. 0.34±0.06, p&lt;0.01, respectively). In the CTEPH patients, average mPAP was 44.0±9.52 mmHg, which was correlated with HR/HL (Tl) (r=0.675, p&lt;0.001) and HR/HL (BMIPP) (r=0.685, p&lt;0.01). Furthermore, the decrease of average mPAP 1 year after PEA was positively associated with the decrease of HR/HL (Tl) (r=0.646, p&lt;0.01) and HR/HL (BMIPP) (r=0.504, p&lt;0.05) 1 year after PEA.

Conclusions

In patients with CTEPH, RV myocardial perfusion and fatty acid metabolism was upregulated and moderately correlated with mPAP. SPECT-guided 201Tl and 123I-BMIPP planar imaging is a novel and noninvasive imaging modality to assess the severity of PH.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Substantially elevated thromboembolic and bleeding risks in patients with AMI following acute/subacute stroke events

Introduction

AMI infrequently but concomitantly occurs after stroke events. Current guideline recommends primary PCI with DAPT in the setting of AMI. However, this approach is not necessarily applicable in AMI subjects following acute/subacute stroke events due to its bleeding risk. Clinical management and outcomes of these AMI subjects following remains uncertain.

Purpose

To characterize management and clinical outcomes in patients with AMI following acute/subacute stroke events (=post-stroke AMI).

Methods

The current study retrospectively analyzed 2041 AMI patients hospitalized at our institute from 2007 to 2018. Post-stroke AMI was defined as its occurrence within 14 days after ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke. The use of reperfusion and anti-thrombotic therapies, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (=CV death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke) and major bleeding events (BARC type 3 or 5) were compared in post-stroke and non-post-stroke AMI patients.

Results

Post-stroke AMI was identified in 1.1% of entire subjects (=23/2041). Of these, 65% of them (=15/23) had AMI within 3 days from the onset of stoke event. Over 60% of them was due to cardioembolic stroke, followed by hemorrhagic (9%), atherothrombotic ones (8%) and other causes (22%). Post-stroke AMI patients were more likely to exhibit Af (p=0.02) and a history of hemodialysis (p=0.009), and have a lower BMI (p=0.04) and hemoglobin level (p=0.02). They were less likely to receive emergent coronary angiography, and primary PCI was conducted in only 65% of post-stroke AMI patients (Table). Furthermore, they more frequently received thrombectomy (p=0.04) alone rather than stent implantation (p=0.002) (Table). With regard to anti-thrombotic therapy, the proportion of DAPT use was significantly lower in post-stroke AMI subjects (52 vs. 89%, p=0.0001), and 17% of them did not receive any anti-thrombotic agents. Of note, only 48% (p=0.04) and 43% (p=0.0001) of post-stroke AMI patients were treated with other established medical therapies including β-blocker and statin, respectively. During the observational period (median = 2.9 years), post-stroke AMI was associated with a greater likelihood experiencing major adverse cardiovascular events (log-rank p&lt;0.001, Figure), CV death (log-rank p&lt;0.0001) and stroke events (log-rank p&lt;0.0001). Furthermore, the frequency of their major bleeding events was substantially elevated (log-rank p&lt;0.001, Figure).

Conclusions

In our real-world data, the adoption of guideline-recommended reperfusion and anti-thrombotic therapies were considerably low in AMI subjects following acute/subacute stroke events. Given their elevated risk of cardiovascular and bleeding events, it is required to establish better therapeutic management for mitigating their thrombotic/bleeding risks.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1Figure 1

The relationship of the underlying lipidic plaque at the implanted newer-generation drug-eluting stents with future stent-related events: insights from the REASSURE-NIRS registry

Background

Lipid-rich plaque is an important substrate causing acute coronary events. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging has been shown to visualize lipidic coronary plaque at non-culprit site associated with future coronary events. Given that histopathological studies reported that the unstable plaque underlying the implanted drug-eluting stent (DES) could cause neoatherosclerosis formation, we hypothesized that NIRS-based evaluation of lipidic plaque burden behind the implanted DES may clinically predict the occurrence of stent failure in patients with CAD receiving PCI.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the relationship of stent-related events' risk with lipidic plaque materials behind the implanted DES imaged by NIRS/intravascular ultrasound (NIRS/IVUS) imaging.

Methods

The REASSURE-NIRS registry is an on-going multi-center registry to enroll CAD subjects receiving NIRS/IVUS-guided PCI. In this registry data, 406 lesions in 379 CAD subjects (ACS/non-ACS=150/229) receiving new-generation DES were analyzed. Minimum stent area (MSA) after PCI and maximum lipid-core-burden index in any 4mm-segment within the implanted stents (in-stent maxLCBI4mm) were measured. A 3-year lesion-oriented composite outcome [LOCO: culprit lesion-related MI + ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (ID-TLR)] was compared in subjects stratified according to the tertile of in-stent maxLCBI4mm.

Results

The mean value of in-stent maxLCBI4mm was 221, and 17% of lesions exhibited in-stent maxLCBI4mm &gt;400. Patients with a greater in-stent maxLCBI4mm were more likely to exhibit a higher LDL-C level (p=0.026) with a longer stent length (p&lt;0.001) and a smaller MSA (p=0.033) (Picture 1). Over 95% of entire study subjects received a statin. During the observational period (median=726 days), the frequency of LOCO up to 3 years was 3.4% in entire study subjects (culprit lesion-related MI=1.0%, ID-TLR=2.8%). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated that the occurrence of LOCO did not increase in association with in-stent maxLCBI4mm (log-rank p-value=0.25, Picture 2). In addition, in-stent maxLCBI4mm did not associate with each component of LOCO (culprit lesion-related MI: p=0.502, ID-TLR: p=0.872). Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis revealed that the predictive ability of in-stent maxLCBI4mm for the occurrence of LOCO was unsatisfactorily (c-statistics=0.486).

Conclusion

The amount of underlying lipidic materials at culprit lesions receiving new-generation DES implantation did not necessarily predict future stent-related events. Clinical significance of maxLCBI4mm behind the implanted DES may be different from that at naïve non-culprit plaques.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Background and lesion characteristicsKaplan-Meier analysis for LOCO

Characterization of residual lipid-rich plaques despite achieving LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l with a statin in patients with coronary artery disease: insights from the REASSURE-NIRS registry

Introduction

Recent studies have demonstrated favourable modification of lipidic plaque materials under achieving LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l with a statin, which potentially accounts for its clinical benefit. However, coronary events still occur even under optimal LDL-C management. This may suggest the presence of residual lipid-rich coronary plaque despite on-treatment LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l. Given that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables quantitative evaluation of lipidic plaque in vivo, we employed this imaging modality to investigate characteristics and drivers of residual lipid-rich plaques in statin-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who achieved LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l.

Purpose

To clarify the frequency, clinical demographics and factors associated with residual lipid-rich plaques under LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l.

Methods

The REASSURE-NIRS registry is an on-going multi-center registry to enroll CAD subjects receiving NIRS/intravascular ultrasound-guided PCI. The current analysis included 133 statin-treated stable CAD patients with on-treatment LDL-C &lt;1.8mmol/l from August 2015 to December 2020. The maximum 4-mm lipid core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) at culprit lesions was measured by NIRS imaging prior to PCI. Clinical characteristics were compared in patients with and without maxLCBI4mm ≥400 at culprit lesions.

Results

In the current study, 45% (=58/128) of study subjects exhibited maxLCBI4mm ≥400 at culprit lesions under on-treatment LDL-C &lt;1.8 mmol/l. They were more likely to be female, whereas there were no differences in age and the frequency of risk factors. Most of study subjects received moderate to high-intensity statin (p=0.79), and over one-fourth of them were treated with ezetimibe (p=0.56). Under these lipid-lowering therapies, LDL-C level was significantly higher in patients with maxLCBI4mm ≥400 (Table). Additionally, a lower frequency of LDL-C &lt;1.4mmol/l was observed in those exhibiting maxLCBI4mm ≥400 (31.0 vs. 45.7%), but this comparison failed to meet statistical significance (p=0.09). Despite LDL-C control with a statin, deterioration of coronary flow after PCI with stent implantation more frequently occurred in patients with maxLCBI4mm ≥400 (Table). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an independent factor associated with maxLCBI4mm ≥400 was LDL-C level (OR=1.05; 95% CI=1.00–1.10, p=0.03), but not other lipid and clinical parameters.

Conclusion

Almost half of CAD subjects who achieved LDL-C level &lt;1.8mmol/l still exhibited the accumulation of lipidic plaque materials within vessel wall. Given that LDL-C level was associated with this residual lipid-rich plaque features, our findings support current ESC-guideline recommended LDL-C goal (&lt;1.4mmol/l) to optimize the secondary prevention in stable CAD patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A component of the septation initiation network complex, AaSepM, is involved in multiple cellulose-responsive signaling pathways in Aspergillus aculeatus

Various carbohydrate-active enzymes in Aspergillus are produced in response to physiological inducers, which is regulated at the transcriptional level. To elucidate the induction mechanisms in Aspergillus, we screened for new regulators involved in cellulose-responsive induction from approximately 10,000 Aspergillus aculeatus T-DNA-inserted mutants. We constructed the T-DNA-inserted mutant library using the host strain harboring the orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase gene (pyrG) under the control of the FIII-avicelase gene (cbhI) promoter. Thus, candidate mutants deficient in cellulose-responsive induction were positively screened via counter selection against 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). Among less than two hundred 5-FOA-resistant mutants, one mutant that the T-DNA inserted into the AasepM locus reduced the cbhI expression in response to cellulose. Since AaSepM is similar to Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc14p (E-value, 2e-20; identities, 33%), which is a component of the septation initiation network (SIN)-complex, we constructed an AasepM deletion mutant (ΔAasepM). We analyzed the expression of cellulase and xylanase genes in response to cellulose, septation, and conidiation in ΔAasepM. The AasepM deletion leads to delayed septation and decreased formation of the conidium chain in A. aculeatus but does not affect hyphal growth on minimal media. We also confirmed AaSepM's involvement in multiple cellulose-responsive signaling pathways of cellulase and xylanase genes under the control of the ManR-dependent, XlnR-dependent, and ManR- and XlnR-independent signaling pathways. KEY POINTS : • A new regulator for cellulolytic gene expression has been identified. • AaSepM is involved in septation and conidiation in A. aculeatus. • AasepM is involved in multiple cellulose-responsive signaling pathways.

THU0568 EFFECTIVENESS OF FOOT ORTHOSIS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR PATIENTS WITH CONCURRENT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND SARCOPENIA

Background:

Sarcopenia is a progressive systemic skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including physical disability, falls, and mortality. The muscle mass of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is lower than that of age-matched healthy individuals, and a high prevalence rate of sarcopenia has been reported1). In particular, foot deformities may increase the prevalence rate of sarcopenia because of inactivity due to foot pain on walking. Treatment with a foot orthosis (FO) can reportedly reduce pain2); however, whether a FO can resolve inactivity and sarcopenia is unclear.

Objectives:

To elucidate the effectiveness of a FO on physical activity and sarcopenia in patients with RA.

Methods:

Thirty patients with RA with foot deformities were enrolled from April 2017 to December 2019. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the algorithm of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, and the cut-off values of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia were applied. We also collected the clinical variables of patients with concurrent RA and sarcopenia who continued to use a FO for 6 months. The primary outcome was physical activity determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were foot pain measured with a visual analog scale; activities of daily living (ADL) measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire; and body mass index, body fat percentage, and the skeletal muscle mass index measured with a body composition device. The clinical variables were compared between baseline and 6 months after continuous treatment with a FO.

Results:

The prevalence rate of sarcopenia was 76.6% (23/30), and nine patients with RA continued to use the FO for 6 months. Table 1 shows outcomes at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with a FO. The only clinical variable that showed a significant difference was foot pain. Physical activities, ADL, and body compositions were maintained after 6 months.

Table 1.

Outcomes of 6-month treatment with FO

Baseline6 monthsp valuePhysical activityIPAQWalking, MET-min/weekModerate, MET-min/weekVigorous, MET-min/week132 (66, 594)0 (0, 0)0 (0, 0)594 (396, 2376)0 (0, 0)0 (0, 0)0.071.000.32Foot painVAS score4.6 (3.1, 7.4)2.8 (1.1, 4.7)0.02ADLHAQ1.5 (1.1, 2.3)1.1 (0.9, 1.5)0.07Body compositionBMI, kg/m2BFP, %SMI, kg/m221.4 (20.7, 22.7)31.1 (24.2, 37.6)5.2 (4.8, 5.3)20.7 (19.3, 22.1)32.9 (26.3, 36.5)5.2 (5.0, 5.2)0.890.820.61

IPAQ: International Physical Activity Questionnaire, VAS: visual analog scale, ADL: activities of daily living, HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire, BMI: body mass index, BFP: body fat percentage, SMI: skeletal muscle mass index

Data are presented as median (lower quartile, upper quartile)

Conclusion:

The prevalence rate of sarcopenia in patients with RA with foot deformities was much higher than previous reported1). However, 6 months of treatment with a FO not only reduced foot pain but also maintained physical activity and muscle mass. Physical therapy has recently been recommended for patients with inflammatory arthritis. physical activity and muscle mass of patients with RA and concurrent foot deformities may be increased by combining physical therapy with orthotic treatment.

References:

[1]Tada M, et al. Matrix metalloprotease 3 is associated with sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis - results from the CHIKARA study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018; 21 (11): 1962-9.

[2]Hennessy K, et al. Custom foot orthoses for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2012; 64 (3): 311-20.

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP19K11420.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.3143

Mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis through p130Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity

Mechanical loading plays an important role in bone homeostasis. However, molecular mechanisms behind the mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis are poorly understood. We previously reported p130Cas (Cas) as a key molecule in cellular mechanosensing at focal adhesions. Here, we demonstrate that Cas is distributed in the nucleus and supports mechanical loading-mediated bone homeostasis by alleviating NF-κB activity, which would otherwise prompt inflammatory processes. Mechanical unloading modulates Cas distribution and NF-κB activity in osteocytes, the mechanosensory cells in bones. Cas deficiency in osteocytes increases osteoclastic bone resorption associated with NF-κB-mediated RANKL expression, leading to osteopenia. Upon shear stress application on cultured osteocytes, Cas translocates into the nucleus and down-regulates NF-κB activity. Collectively, fluid shear stress-dependent Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity supports bone homeostasis. Given the ubiquitous expression of Cas and NF-κB together with systemic distribution of interstitial fluid, the Cas-NF-κB interplay may also underpin regulatory mechanisms in other tissues and organs.

Biphasic aspect of sexually dimorphic ontogenetic trajectory of gyrification in the ferret cerebral cortex

The present study characterized quantitatively sexual dimorphic development of gyrification by MRI-based morphometry. High spatial-resolution 3D MR images (using RARE sequence with short TR and minimum TE setting) were acquired from fixed brain of male and female ferrets at postnatal days (PDs) 4-90 using 7-tesla preclinical MRI system. The gyrification index was evaluated either throughout the cerebral cortex (global GI) or in representative primary sulci (sulcal GI). The global GI increased linearly from PD 4, and reached a peak at PD 42, marking 1.486±0.018 in males and 1.460±0.010 in females, respectively. Sexual difference was obtained by greater global GI in males than in females on PD 21 and thereafter. Rostrocaudal GI distribution revealed an overall male-over-female sulcal infolding throughout the cortex on PD 21. Then, an adult pattern of sexually dimorphic cortical convolution was achieved so that gyrification in the temporo-parieto-occipital region was more progressive in males than in females on PD 42, and slightly extended posteriorly in males until PD 90. In the sulcal GI, sulcus-specific male-over-female GI was revealed in the rhinal fissure, and presylvian sulcus on PD 42, and additionally in the coronal, splenial, lateral, and caudal suprasylvian sulci on PD 90. The current results suggest that age-related sexual dimorphism of the gyrification was biphasic in the ferret cortex. A male-over-female gyrification was allometric by PD 21, and was thereafter specific to primary sulci located on phylogenetically newer multimodal cortical regions.

Search for Two-Photon Interaction with Axionlike Particles Using High-Repetition Pulsed Magnets and Synchrotron X Rays

We report on new results of a search for a two-photon interaction with axionlike particles (ALPs). The experiment is carried out at a synchrotron radiation facility using a "light shining through a wall (LSW)" technique. For this purpose, we develop a novel pulsed-magnet system, composed of multiple racetrack magnets and a transportable power supply. It produces fields of about 10 T over 0.8 m with a high repetition rate of 0.2 Hz and yields a new method of probing a vacuum with high intensity fields. The data obtained with a total of 27 676 pulses provide a limit on the ALP-two-photon coupling constant that is more stringent by a factor of 5.2 compared to a previous x-ray LSW limit for the ALP mass ≲0.1  eV.

Unilateral Leg Swelling Caused by Common Femoral Vein Compression by a Hip Ganglion Cyst in the Groin

Background

As a rare cause of unilateral leg swelling, extrinsic vein compression caused by intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, or inguinal lesions has been noted. A rare case of leg swelling as a cause of extrinsic compression of common femoral vein from a ganglion cyst in the groin is presented.

Case presentation

A 38 year old man was referred with a 3 week history of left leg swelling. Following a radiological diagnosis of common femoral vein compression from a cystic groin mass, he firstly underwent needle aspiration. Although the lesion became somewhat smaller, his left leg was still swollen, and he underwent surgical excision of the lesion 2 days after needle aspiration. Histopathological features of the cystic wall were consistent with those of a ganglion cyst. He was discharged from the hospital with complete improvement of the leg swelling, and has remained free from recurrence 1 year after surgery.

Conclusion

Femoral vein compression by a ganglion cyst in the groin is a very rare pathology; however, it should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of unilateral leg swelling.

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Ganglion cyst in the groin is a benign hip joint related lesion.

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Extrinsic compression of common femoral vein by a ganglion cyst in the groin is a rare cause of unilateral leg swelling.

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Surgical excision of a ganglion cyst in the groin is more curative than needle aspiration.