Acarbose treatments improve arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims/Introduction: Although the improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia by an alpha‐glucosidase inhibitor (α‐GI) has been associated with a risk reduction of cardiovascular events, the relationship between postprandial hyperglycemia and arterial stiffness has not been well understood. We therefore examined whether ameliorating the postprandial state by α‐GI leads to an improvement in arterial stiffness. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were treated with acarbose. Cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) as the arterial stiffness was measured by using a VaSera CAVI instrument before and 12 months after acarbose treatment. Serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), pentraxin‐3 (PTX3) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) ‐2, ‐9 were measured at the same time points. Furthermore, circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined for the frequencies of CD14 positive cells expressing membrane type‐1 MMP (MT1‐MMP) at the single cell level using flow cytometry. Results: After acarbose treatment, postprandial glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) were significantly decreased. Serum levels of hs‐CRP, PTX3, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were significantly decreased. CAVI showed a significant reduction, although the changes were not significant in blood pressure and heart rate. MT1‐MMP expression was significantly decreased by acarbose treatment. In multivariate analysis, improvement of blood glucose, decrease of PTX3 levels and MT1‐MMP expression were independent predictors of beneficial change in CAVI. Conclusions: The present study showed that the beneficial effects of acarbose on arterial stiffness are mediated by an improvement of postprandial hyperglycemia and vascular remodeling markers. In conclusion, acarbose treatment might reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by altering the arterial stiffness in postprandial hyperglycemic status. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00079.x , 2010)     

Standing posture at work and overweight exacerbate varicose veins: Shimane CoHRE Study

Varicose veins (VV) in legs are commonly observed in the general global population. However, the prevalence of and risk factors for VV in Japan are not clear. This study aimed at clarifying the risk factors for VV in traditional rural areas of Shimane prefecture. Subjects (113 men and 205 women aged ≥45 years) were recruited from health examinations in those areas in 2012. VV were defined as a reflux of blood in the great and/or small saphenous vein and incompetent perforating veins detected by ultrasonography. Risk factors for VV were analyzed using logistic regression models that included various parameters. We also investigated the possible interaction between standing at work and overweight and calculated the synergistic index. VV were found in 20.1% of the subjects (12.4% of men and 24.4% of women). The previously known risk factors of prolonged upright standing posture during work, higher body mass index (BMI), female sex, and age were also significant factors for VV. There was a significant combined effect of overweight (BMI ≥25) and prolonged upright standing posture at work [adjusted odds ratio = 3.42; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–10.89], although the synergistic effect was not significant [synergistic index = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.2–8.7]. The prevalence of VV in the traditional rural area of Shimane prefecture was comparable to that reported previously in European countries. Our results confirm that exposure to both prolonged standing at work and overweight exacerbate VV development. This finding is useful to develop strategies for VV prevention.     

Increased levels of chondrocalcin in knee joint fluid in synovial chondromatosis--a case report

Introduction We used an experimental hip model to assess the mechanical stability of a hip prosthesis, and compared the femoral medullary canal preparation techniques of reaming and broaching.

Methods 15 pairs of cadaveric femora had a simulated replacement, the right femur with a reaming technique and the left with a broaching technique. Both femurs were radiographed to assess component positioning and cement mantle. The femurs were osteotomized 30 days after the procedure. The shear strength of the interface was studied at 4 different levels along an aluminum rod during push-out tests.

Results The overall mean value of the interface failure load was 15% lower with the reaming technique (6.5 kN for the reaming technique versus 7.7 kN for the broaching technique; p?=?0.02).

Interpretation Broaching was superior to reaming for the preparation of the femoral canal, and should be used in order to increase primary stability. Further in vivo studies are required to account for factors such as intramedullary pressure, bleeding and surgical variations, which could not be accounted for in our study.     

J‐curve association between alcohol intake and varicose veins in Japan: The Shimane CoHRE Study

The effect of alcohol intake on varicose veins (VV) has not been determined by its consumption level. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between alcohol intake and VV in an elderly general population. Using a cross‐sectional approach, the Shimane CoHRE Study data, comprising a total of 1060 participants, were analyzed. By multivariate regression analysis adjusted with basic characteristics, past work history, lifestyle‐related factors and medical history, compared with non‐drinkers, mild drinkers (<20.0 g/day) showed a significantly lower adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of VV (aOR = 0.64, P = 0.036). In a similar way, regular drinkers (1–5 days/week) showed a significantly lower aOR of VV when compared with occasional drinkers (aOR = 0.57, P = 0.032). VV and alcohol intake showed J‐curve relationships. In a stratified analysis by alcohol consumption levels, the association of smoking and VV were also observed in moderate to heavy drinkers and habitual drinkers. These findings can provide better understanding of pathophysiological mechanism and be used for evidence‐based patient education.     

A longitudinal study for the prediction of the mature acetabular morphology using childhood magnetic resonance imaging

BackgroundAlthough acetabular dysplasia is a common etiology of osteoarthritis of the hip regardless of the history of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), whether or not corrective surgeries are beneficial for the childhood asymptomatic acetabular dysplasia remains controversial due to a lack of evidence. We conducted a longitudinal study to compare the cartilaginous morphology on childhood magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the mature hip morphology of the same patient and to assess the predictive indicators for future acetabular dysplasia.MethodsA total of 92 unaffected hips (47 unilateral DDH and 45 unilateral Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease) were reviewed for X-ray and MRI findings on childhood (mean age: 6.0 years) and X-ray findings from a skeletally mature age with a mean follow-up period of 15.1 years. The following parameters were measured and compared: the immature-acetabular index (AI) and center edge angle (CE) on immature X-ray; the cartilage- and bone- AI, CE, Sharp and acetabular head index (AHI) on childhood MRI; and the mature-acetabular roof obliquity (ARO), CE, Sharp and AHI on skeletally mature X-ray. The prognostic factors on childhood MRI for acetabular dysplasia, defined by a CE of <20° on skeletally mature X-ray were also assessed.ResultsPositive correlations were shown between the cartilage-AI and mature-ARO (7.6°/6.3°; r = 0.44), the cartilage-CE and mature-CE (27.8°/28.0°; r = 0.62), the cartilage-Sharp and mature-Sharp (44.4°/41.8°; r = 0.52) and the cartilage-AHI and mature-AHI (78.7%/80.3%; r = 0.46). A multivariate analysis indicated cartilage-CE to be an independent predictor for acetabular dysplasia with a cut-off value of 22°. Children with a cartilage-CE <22° developed more frequently acetabular dysplasia compared to the others (52.4% vs. 1.4%).ConclusionsChildhood MRI findings are useful for the prediction of acetabular dysplasia without a DDH history. Children with a cartilage-CE ≥23° are likely to achieve a non-dysplastic hip without the need for surgical intervention.