益生菌治疗类风湿关节炎的meta分析和试验序贯分析

系统评价益生菌治疗类风湿关节炎的临床疗效。

检索中国生物医学数据库、中国知网、万方、维普、Embase、PubMed、the Cochrane Library、Web of Science数据库,时间均从建库至2021年7月,对公开发表的益生菌治疗类风湿关节炎的随机对照试验进行meta分析和试验序贯分析。

共纳入6项研究,总样本量242例。Meta分析显示,益生菌治疗类风湿关节炎能显著降低CRP[MD = ‒2.26,95% CI = （‒4.30,‒0.23）,P = 0.03]和TNF-α[MD = ‒1.78,95% CI = （‒2.73,0.83）,P＜0.01]水平,提高IL-10[MD = 3.80,95% CI = （0.40,7.19）,P = 0.03]水平,而ESR、IL-1β、IL-6、MDA、TAC、DAS28、TJC、SJC、HAQ和ACR20等水平均与安慰剂相当。敏感性分析显示结果较为稳健,试验序贯分析显示CRP的获益具有结论性,Egger检验显示不存在发表偏倚（P = 0.17）。

益生菌能够有效降低CRP和TNF-α水平,提高IL-10水平,具有治疗类风湿关节炎的潜力。

     

阴道菌群与子宫脱垂的相关性研究

研究阴道菌群与子宫脱垂的相关性,为该类患者的治疗提供参考。

选取杭州市妇产科医院门诊或体检中心募集的30例子宫脱垂患者（研究组）和30例健康人群（对照组）。利用细菌16S rDNA扩增技术分析两组对象阴道菌群的组成特点,并利用 LEfSe 及 LDA 分析具有显著差异的菌群。

在属水平上,绝经前人群阴道Oribacterium、Xanthomonadaceae_unclassified在研究组的相对丰度大于对照组（均P＜0.05）;绝经后人群阴道Finegoldia、Paracnuella、Clostridium_XVIII在研究组的相对丰度大于对照组,Alterileibacterium、Ileibacterium、Microbacteriaceae_unclassified在研究组的相对丰度小于对照组（均P＜0.05）。两组对象阴道菌群丰度指数（Sobs、Chao、Ace）及多样性指数（Shannon、Simpson、InvSimpson）差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。研究组中绝经前人群阴道菌群Sobs、Chao、Shannon、Invsimpson指数小于绝经后人群,Simpson指数大于绝经后人群（均P＜0.05）。绝经后人群中,研究组对象Finegoldia丰度较高,对照组对象Sneathia丰度较高。绝经前人群中,研究组对象Fastidiosipila丰度较高,对照组对象Parvimonas丰度较高。ROC曲线提示,Anaerococcus和Sneathia的组合有助于预测子宫脱垂的发生。绝经后,研究组对象脂质代谢显著下降,而蛋白酶体代谢通路功能显著上升。

阴道菌群与子宫脱垂具有相关性。蛋白酶体代谢通路可能通过下调雌激素及受体水平参与了子宫脱垂的发生。

     

含乳杆菌的益生菌制剂干预2型糖尿病疗效及安全性的Meta分析

系统评价益生菌类制剂治疗2型糖尿病的疗效及安全性,尤其是包含乳杆菌的益生菌制剂的疗效。

运用计算机检索Embase、Cochrane、Pubmed数据库,搜索益生菌干预2型糖尿病的临床随机对照试验。应用Review manager 5.4.1软件进行Meta分析,最终纳入16项研究,包含1 015名患者。

试验组的干预方式在改善患者空腹血糖[SMD = –0.37,95% CI（–0.52,–0.23）,P＜0.01]、改善胰岛素抵抗[SMD = –0.39,95% CI（–0.55,–0.24）,P＜0.01]、提高高密度脂蛋白[SMD = 0.22,95% CI（0.07,0.38）,P＜0.01]、降低甘油三酯[SMD = –0.18,95% CI（–0.33,–0.03）,P = 0.02]水平方面优于对照组,而在患者体质量指数[MD = 0.27,95% CI（–0.45,1.00）,P = 0.46]、胆固醇[SMD = 0.01,95% CI（–0.13,0.15）,P = 0.94]、高敏C-反应蛋白[SMD = –0.15,95% CI（–0.33,0.02）,P = 0.09]、收缩压[MD = –0.76,95% CI（–2.77,1.26）,P = 0.46]、舒张压[MD = –0.29,95% CI（–1.75,1.18）,P = 0.70]方面差异均无统计学意义。16项研究中有4项研究报道了不良反应,主要包括腹泻、便秘、头痛。

含有乳杆菌的益生菌制剂可改善糖尿病患者空腹血糖、胰岛素抵抗、甘油三酯等水平。

     

红茶对2型糖尿病小鼠肠道菌群分布的影响

探讨红茶对2型糖尿病（T2DM）小鼠肠道菌群分布的影响,为研究红茶在代谢性疾病的辅助治疗机制提供参考。

构建 T2DM小鼠模型,将其随机分为模型组（T2DM组）和茶水饲喂组（T2DM_T组）,取健康小鼠作为对照组（Control组）,每组各15只。实验终点收集3组小鼠粪便进行宏基因组测序,分析组间菌群差异;同时进行肝脏组织形态学检查,观察组织病理学改变。

与Control组和T2DM组相比,T2DM_T组拟杆菌门（F = 21.056,P＜0.001）、邓肯氏菌属（F = 13.330,P = 0.001）、乳杆菌属（F = 36.546,P＜0.001）和粘液乳杆菌属（F = 43.813,P＜0.001）的相对丰度增加,担子菌门（F = 8.676,P = 0.005）、Muribaculum（F = 8.151,P = 0.006）和肠球菌属（F = 4.271,P = 0.040）的相对丰度降低。与T2DM组小鼠相比,T2DM_T组小鼠肝细胞排列较为紧密,细胞空泡变性程度有所减弱。

红茶在一定范围内能调节T2DM模型小鼠肠道菌群结构和相对丰度,红茶水喂饲可减缓造模所致的T2DM小鼠肝脏细胞的损伤,其具体作用机制值得深入研究和探讨。

     

厄贝沙坦片联合益生菌对高血压伴肥胖患者的疗效及对肠道菌群的调控作用

探讨厄贝沙坦片联合益生菌对高血压伴肥胖患者的疗效及对肠道菌群的调控作用。

选取2021年10月—2022年10月本院400例高血压伴肥胖患者。随机法分组：对照组（200例）给予厄贝沙坦治疗,研究组（200例）在对照组基础上联用益生菌。比较两组治疗前后舒张压（DBP）、收缩压（SBP）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素（IL）-6水平和肠道菌群变化,统计治疗期间不良反应发生情况。

治疗后,研究组DBP、SBP、CRP和IL-6水平均低于对照组（P＜0.05）。治疗后,研究组乳杆菌、拟杆菌及双歧杆菌水平高于对照组,肠杆菌及肠球菌水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）。研究组不良反应发生率为3.0%,对照组为4.5%,差异无统计学意义（χ² = 0.623,P = 0.430）。

厄贝沙坦联合益生菌治疗高血压伴肥胖可提升患者血压控制效果,减轻炎症反应,改善肠道紊乱菌群,且不良反应少。

     

早期肠内营养联合益生菌对急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者预后的影响

探讨早期肠内营养联合益生菌对急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）患者预后的影响,为该类患者的治疗提供参考。

回顾性分析2018年6月至2020年12月我院急诊ICU收治的86例中重度ARDS患者的临床资料,按随机数字法将患者分为观察组（n = 48例）和对照组（n = 38例）。观察组患者在早期肠内营养基础上联合益生菌治疗,对照组患者采用常规治疗+早期肠内营养进行治疗。统计两组患者性别、年龄、既往基础疾病、原发疾病（包括肺内和肺外）、APACHE Ⅱ评分、SOFA评分、氧合指数、机械通气天数、脱机拔管成功率、ICU以及总的住院天数、28 d病死率等情况。

观察组患者机械通气时间短于对照组[（10.34±2.16）d vs （14.63±3.27）d,P = 0.020]。观察组患者脱机拔管成功率高于对照组（70.83% vs 63.16%,P = 0.038）。观察组患者ICU住院时间短于对照组[（15.34±3.28）d vs （18.68±3.54）d,P = 0.030]。观察组患者28 d病死率低于对照组（22.92% vs 26.32%,P = 0.035）。相关性分析提示早期肠内营养联合益生菌与患者的机械通气天数（r = −0.489,P = 0.039）和病死率（r = −0.312,P = 0.042）均存在相关性。非条件Logistic回归分析显示早期肠内营养联合益生菌能够降低患者的死亡风险。

相比单一予以早期肠内营养,采用早期肠内营养联合益生菌治疗ARDS患者更有利于缩短患者机械通气时间,降低病死率,改善患者的预后。

     

包衣益生菌对功能性便秘患者肠道菌群的影响和临床疗效

观察包衣益生菌产品对功能性便秘患者的疗效及对患者肠道菌群的影响。

收集2022年1月到3月大连市第二人民医院消化内科就诊的功能性便秘患者10例,患者均服用包衣益生菌产品7 d,使用16S rDNA测序技术检测患者服用前后及停药后3 d和7 d的肠道菌群变化情况,评价患者便秘情况是否改善。

治疗后患者便秘相关生活质量（PAC-QOL）评分、便秘严重程度（CSI）评分均较治疗前显著降低（均P＜0.01）,粪便性状好转。停用3 d和7 d时,患者肠道菌群Ace和Chao1指数均较服用前升高（均P＜0.05）。服用后,在属水平上,患者肠道Klebsiella、Lactococcus、Bacteroides相对丰度上升,Blautia和Anaerostipes相对丰度下降;在种水平上,肠道Lactobacillus plantarum、Klebsiella quasipneumoniae、Enterococcus faecium和Megasphaera elsdenii相对丰度升高,Anaerostipes hadrus相对丰度降低。

包衣益生菌产品对功能性便秘有一定的改善作用,能够增加患者肠道菌群的丰度,使肠道菌群结构更加接近健康人群。

     

益生菌治疗口腔假丝酵母菌感染效果的meta分析

通过循证医学的方法评价益生菌治疗口腔假丝酵母菌感染的效果。

计算机检索PubMed、EMbase、Web of Science、The Cochrane Library、中国知网、维普数据库、万方数据库和中国生物医学文献数据库中关于益生菌治疗口腔假丝酵母菌感染效果的随机对照试验,检索时限为建库至2021年8月18日,由2名研究者独立对文献进行资料提取和质量评价,采用RevMan 5.4统计软件对提取完成后的资料进行meta分析。

共纳入12篇研究,其中英文研究4篇,中文研究8篇,纳入研究对象1 029人,其中试验组537人,对照组492人。研究结果显示,益生菌能有效治疗口腔假丝酵母菌感染[OR=7.80,95% CI（4.78,12.75）,P＜0.000 1],降低口腔假丝酵母菌检出率[OR=0.06,95% CI（0.01,0.57）,P=0.010 0],降低治愈后复发率[OR=0.21,95% CI（0.12,0.35）,P＜0.000 1]。

益生菌对治疗口腔假丝酵母菌感染具有一定效果,能降低口腔中假丝酵母菌的定植,减低治愈后的复发率。

     

低聚果糖对AOM/DSS诱导的结肠炎相关结直肠癌小鼠辅助性T细胞的调控作用

探讨益生元低聚果糖（FOS）对结肠炎相关结直肠癌（CAC）小鼠肠道辅助性T细胞的调节作用。

将6周龄SPF级雄性C57BL6小鼠（体重18～20 g）随机分为对照组、模型组和干预组,每组10只。通过偶氮甲烷、葡聚糖硫酸钠构建CAC小鼠模型,干预组每日使用2 mg/kg b.w. FOS灌胃,持续10周。造模期间监测各组小鼠体重变化,造模结束后测量结肠长度和肿瘤数目。采用微球免疫分析法检测血清Th1/Th2/Th17相关细胞因子水平,流式细胞术分析肠系膜淋巴结内Th1、Th2、Th17细胞亚群比例。

与模型组相比,干预组小鼠结肠长度显著增加（t=3.106,P=0.006 4）,肿瘤数目显著减少（U=15.000,P=0.011 1）,血清中IL-17A（t=3.504,P=0.008 8）、TNF-α（t=2.381,P=0.030 0）等促炎细胞因子水平降低,肠系膜淋巴结Th17细胞比例显著降低（t=6.031,P=0.002 7）,Th1/Th2显著升高（t=2.419,P=0.038 7）。

FOS可调控CAC模型小鼠结肠内辅助性T细胞的分化,抑制肿瘤的发生。

     

益生菌联用泻药对中国成人功能性便秘的疗效——基于随机对照试验的Meta分析

探讨国内益生菌联合泻药对于成人功能性便秘的疗效。

以“益生菌”和“功能性便秘”为关键词, 分别在中国知网、维普、万方数据库、中国生物医学文献数据系统、PubMed、Embase和Cochrane Library检索益生菌联合泻药对功能性便秘的疗效, 检索时限从建库至2020年12月6日。采用Stata 13.1和RevMan 5.4软件进行Meta分析。

共检索出16 929篇文献, 最终纳入23篇文献。联合组在有效率[OR=4.39, 95%CI=(3.25, 5.92), P < 0.000 01]、排便频率改善[WMD=0.77, 95%CI=(0.16, 1.38), P < 0.000 01]、粪便性状改善[WMD=1.12, 95%CI=(0.87, 1.37), P < 0.000 01]等方面均优于对照组。

益生菌联合泻药比单用泻药更能有效缓解便秘。

     

阿伦膦酸钠与阿法骨化醇联合治疗妇女绝经后骨质疏松症的疗效

目的:探讨妇女绝经后骨质疏松症(PMO)应用阿伦膦酸钠(ALN)与阿法骨化醇联合治疗的临床效果。方法:选取我院门诊2013年1月~2015年3月收治的98例PMO患者,按照数字随机表法均分为两组。对照组:在常规钙剂基础上,给予阿法骨化醇治疗;观察组:在对照组基础上,给予ALN治疗。记录比较两组治疗前后Ward三角区、股骨颈及腰椎L2~L4骨密度(BMD)水平,治疗前后翻身、前屈后伸及自发性腰背痛视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分,治疗前后血清骨钙素(BGP)、骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)、Ⅰ型胶原C端肽(CTX)及抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶5b(TRACP-5b)水平,用药期间不良反应。结果:观察组治疗后Ward三角区、股骨颈及腰椎L2~L4 BMD水平与治疗前比较,均明显改善(P0.05),且观察组改善程度更加明显(P0.05);观察组治疗后翻身、前屈后伸及自发性腰背痛VAS评分与治疗前比较,均显著降低(P0.01),且观察组改善程度更为显著(P0.01);观察组治疗后血清BGP、BALP、CTX及TRACP-5b水平与治疗前比较,均显著下降(P0.01),且观察组改善幅度更为显著(P0.01)。结论:妇女PMO应用ALN与阿法骨化醇联合治疗更能显著提高BMD水平,缓解患者疼痛症状,改善骨代谢指标,疗效切实,安全可靠,具有较高临床参考价值。     

不同程度老年骨质疏松患者血清BALP、OPG/PYR比值变化及其与骨密度、骨折发生的相关性分析

摘要 目的：分析不同程度老年骨质疏松患者血清骨特异性碱性磷酸酶(BALP)、骨保护素(OPG)/吡啶啉(PYR)比值变化及其与骨密度、骨折发生的相关性。方法：选择我院自2020年11月至2023年7月接诊的70例老年骨质疏松患者作为观察组,其中轻-中度骨质疏松44例、重度骨质疏松26例;另选70例老年非骨质疏松者作为对照组。检测所有受试者血清BALP、OPG/PYR比值、腰椎、股骨颈和髋部的骨密度(BMD),分析BALP、OPG/PYR比值与不同骨骼部位BMD的关系,使用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析BALP、OPG/PYR比值对老年骨质疏松骨折的预测效能。结果：观察组血清BALP水平高于对照组,OPG/PYR比值小于对照组（P＜0.05）;重度骨质疏松组血清BALP水平高于轻-中度骨质疏松组,OPG/PYR比值小于轻-中度骨质疏松组（P＜0.05）;观察组腰椎、股骨颈及髋部的BMD均小于对照组（P＜0.05）;经Pearson相关性分析,腰椎、股骨颈及髋部的BMD与血清BALP水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与OPG/PYR比值呈正相关（P＜0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,血清BALP联合OPG/PYR比值预测老年骨质疏松骨折的AUC为0.890。结论：老年骨质疏松患者血清BALP水平升高、OPG/PYR比值减小,与病情严重程度及骨密度有关,联合预测骨折的效能较好,值得进一步研究应用。     

绝经后骨质疏松症患者血清LECT2水平的临床意义及其预测价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨绝经后骨质疏松症患者血清白细胞衍生趋化因子2（LECT2）水平的临床意义及其预测价值。方法：选择2020年1月～2022年1月湖南师范大学第一附属医院收治的绝经后骨质疏松症患者125例作为研究组,另选取同期体检的绝经后健康女性志愿者120例作为对照组。比较两组血清LECT2水平,并分析血清LECT2水平与腰椎和股骨颈骨密度（BMD）及骨代谢相关指标的相关性;应用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清LECT2对绝经后骨质疏松症患者的预测价值。结果：研究组血清LECT2、骨钙素（OC）、I型原胶原N端前肽（PINP）、 I型胶原交联C末端肽（S-CTX）显著高于对照组,腰椎和股骨颈BMD显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。Pearson相关分析显示,绝经后骨质疏松症患者血清LECT2水平与OC、PINP、S-CTX水平呈正相关（P<0.05）,与腰椎和股骨颈BMD呈负相关（P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,血清LECT2、OC、PINP、S-CTX联合检验对绝经后骨质疏松症患者的预测价值的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.856,大于各单一指标预测。结论：绝经后骨质疏松症女性血清LECT2水平升高,其水平与骨代谢指标OC、PINP、S-CTX水平呈正相关,与腰椎BMD和股骨颈BMD呈负相关,血清LECT2联合OC、PINP、S-CTX对绝经后骨质疏松症患者的预测价值较高。     

Increased Bone Mineral Density in Male Patients With Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism Who Undergo Sex Hormone Therapy: Findings From Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Studies

ObjectiveThis retrospective observational study assessed the long-term impact of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone, combined gonadotropin, or testosterone replacement therapy on total hip, femoral, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and Z-scores in adult men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).MethodsIn the cross-sectional study, 69 patients were allocated to untreated (n = 42) and treated (n = 27) groups. The untreated group included IHH patients without hormone therapy history, while the treated group included age- and body mass index-matched patients who had received hormone therapy for at least 5 years. The longitudinal study included 53 IHH patients, and their hip and lumbar BMDs were measured several times during hormone therapy. We then evaluated the changes in their BMD.ResultsOur cross-sectional study showed that the treated group had a significantly higher BMD and Z-score for total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine (P < 0.001 for all) than the untreated group, and the average bone mass even reached the age-matched normal range. The prevalence of low BMD was 80.95% and 11.11% in untreated and treated groups, respectively. In the longitudinal study (N = 53), the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine BMD gradually increased during treatment. The lumbar spine showed a greater increment in BMD compared with the total hip and femoral neck (P < 0.05).ConclusionSex hormone therapy improved hip and lumbar spine BMD and Z-scores in patients with IHH. The lumbar spine showed a greater improvement in BMD compared with the total hip and femoral neck.     

Effect of cervus and cucumis polypeptide combined with zoledronic acid on bone metabolic biochemical markers in glucocorticoids – Induced osteoporosis patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cervus and cucumis polypeptide combined with zoledronic acid on bone metabolic biochemical markers in glucocorticoids - induced osteoporosis patients.MethodsA total of 100 patients with glucocorticoids - induced osteoporosis admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to June 2017 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method, 50 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group were treated with deer melon polypeptide in combination with zoledronic acid, and patients in the control group were treated with zoledronic acid alone. The patients in both groups were treated for 2 months. The changes of bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in lumbar vertebrae L1-4, left femoral neck and large trochanter were analyzed before and after treatment.ResultsThe pre- BMD at lumbar spine L_1-4, left femoral neck and great trochanter had no statistic difference (P > 0.05), the BMD at each sites improved after treatment, and the difference were statistical before and after treatment (P < 0.05). BMD at above sites of two groups after treatment had statistical difference (P < 0.05), and the BMD at lumbar spine L_1-4, left femoral neck and great trochanter in the observation group was higher than that of the control group. There were no significant differences in PTH, 25-(OH)D3, TRACP, β-CTX and BGP levels between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). The levels of 25-(OH)D3, TRACP, β-CTX and BGP in the two groups were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.05), and the levels of PTH, TRACP and β-CTX in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of 25-(OH) D3 and BGP were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe cervus and cucumis polypeptide combined with zoledronic acid can improve the BMD at lumbar spine L_1-4, left femoral neck and great trochanter, and ameliorate the bone metabolic biochemical markers for patients with glucocorticoids - induced osteoporosis.     

Study on Bone Density at Various Skeletal Sites for the Diagnosis of Primary Osteoporosis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of bone density changes in lumbar vertebrae and femoral necks in patients with primary osteoporosis (OP) at various ages. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed on patients who had their primary visits between March 2008 and February 2009. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae 1-4 (L1-L4) in anteroposterior projection and the proximal femoral neck in lateral projection were measured. If the BMD values (T score) of any site is -2.5 or less (T ≤?-2.5), the patients were diagnosed as primary OP, and the T scores were statistically analyzed. The 81 patients who had lumbar vertebrae with a T ≤?-2.5 led to a positive rate of 80.1?% in the diagnosis of primary OP; the 47 patients who had femoral neck with a T ≤?-2.5 gave a positive rate of 47.0?%. The patients with type I or type II primary OP were divided into two age groups of ≤70 and ≥71?years old. The comparison of lumbar spine T score values did not show significant statistical difference (P?>?0.05) between the age groups, while the result of the femoral necks revealed significant difference between the two groups (P?相似文献   

右归丸与液体钙片对老年骨质疏松症患者血清雌激素和骨钙素水平的影响

目的:研究右归丸联合液体钙片对老年骨质疏松症患者血清雌激素水平、骨钙素(BGP)水平及临床疗效的影响。方法:选取2014年10月至2015年9月本院收治的82例老年骨质疏松症患者,根据入院顺序分为观察组和对照组,每组41例。对照组使用骨化三醇软胶囊和液体钙软胶囊进行治疗,观察组在此基础上加以右归丸进行治疗。比较两组患者治疗前和治疗1个月后血清雌二醇(E2)水平、BGP水平、骨密度变化,分析两组患者的临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组的血清E2水平显著高于对照组(P0.05),BGP水平显著低于对照组(P0.05),腰椎L1-4正位、右侧股骨颈、左侧股骨颈骨密度显著高于对照组(p0.05),总临床疗效率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:右归丸联合液体钙片治疗老年骨质疏松症患者能明显改善患者血清雌激素、BGP水平,增加骨密度,临床疗效良好。     

Relationship between Body Mass Composition,Bone Mineral Density,Skin Fibrosis and 25(OH) Vitamin D Serum Levels in Systemic Sclerosis

A reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is observed in several rheumatic autoimmune diseases, including Systemic Sclerosis (SSc); nevertheless, data concerning the possible determinants of bone loss in this disease are not fully investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between BMD, body mass composition, skin sclerosis and serum Vitamin D levels in two subsets of SSc patients. 64 post-menopausal SSc patients, classified as limited cutaneous (lcSSc) or diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) SSc, were studied. As control, 35 healthy post-menopausal women were recruited. Clinical parameters were evaluated, including the extent of skin involvement. BMD at lumbar spine, hip, femoral neck and body mass composition were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, urine pyridinium cross-links, intact parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were measured. BMD at spine, femoral neck and total hip was significantly lower in SSc patients compared to controls. In dcSSc subset, BMD at spine, femoral neck and total hip was significantly lower compared to lcSSc. No differences in both fat and lean mass were found in the three study groups even if patients with dcSSc showed a slightly lower total body mass compared to healthy controls. Total mineral content was significantly reduced in dSSc compared to both healthy subjects and lcSSc group. Hypovitaminosis D was observed both in healthy post-menopausal women and in SSc patients, but 25OHD levels were significantly lower in dcSSc compared to lcSSc and inversely correlated with the extent of skin thickness. These results support the hypothesis that the extent of skin involvement in SSc patients could be an important factor in determining low circulating levels of 25OHD, which in turn could play a significant role in the reduction of BMD and total mineral content.     

Association of the 163A/G and 1181G/C osteoprotegerin polymorphism with bone mineral density.

The aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of 163 A/G osteoprotegerin gene promoter and 1181 G/C osteoprotegerin exon 1 polymorphisms in a group of women with different hormonal status and to analyze their relationship with BMD. Osteoprotegerin polymorphisms and BMD were analyzed in 332 women (69 premenopausal and 263 postmenopausal). BMD was quantified at the lumbar spine (L 2-4), femoral neck, and total hip. Genotyping for the presence of different polymorphisms was performed using the Custom Taqman ((R)) SNP Genotyping assays. There were not significant differences in BMD according to 163 A/G genotype. However, significant differences in lumbar spine BMD were found according to 1181 G/C alleles. Thus, women with CC genotype had significant higher BMD at the lumbar spine than those with GC or GG genotype. No differences were found in femoral neck and total hip BMD. In age-adjusted models, the 1181 G/C OPG polymorphism explained 2.2% of BMD variance at the spine, 0.3% at the femoral neck, and 0.9% at the total hip in the whole group. In the subgroup of premenopausal women, the polymorphism was strongly related to spine BMD, and explained 11.5% of the variance, whereas body weight explained 7.9%. The 1181 G/C polymorphism was associated with lumbar spine BMD in Spanish women. Premenopausal women with the CC genotype had a higher BMD.     

Combined effects of collagen type I alpha1 (COL1A1) Sp1 polymorphism and osteoporosis risk factors on bone mineral density in Turkish postmenopausal women

Identification of risk factors for osteoporosis has been essential for understanding the development of osteoporosis. The collagen type I alpha1 (COL1A1) gene is suggested to be implicated in reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in osteoporosis. In the present study, the investigation of the effects of Sp1 polymorphic variants of COL1A1 gene on BMD values, and the determination of the association between COL1A1 Sp1 gene variants and osteoporosis risk factors in the context of gene–environment interaction in Turkish postmenopausal women were aimed. For the detection of COL1A1 Sp1 polymorphism, PCR-RFLP techniques have been used. BMD for lumbar spine (L1–L4) and hip (femoral neck and total hip) was measured by DXA. This study was carried out using a sample of 254 postmenopausal women. We observed a trend decrease in BMD values in the subjects with “ss” genotype having lower BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip than those with “SS” and “Ss” genotype, however the differences did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). We also found that the frequencies of the BMD under mean values at the femoral neck (57.5%) and total hip (76.2%) increased considerably in the subjects carrying “Ss/ss” genotypes in combination of having family history of osteoporosis (61.5% for femoral neck) and smoking history (90.0% for total hip). This population-based study indicates that COL1A1 Sp1 polymorphism may contribute to the development of osteoporosis in combination of osteoporosis risk factors in Turkish postmenopausal women.