Statin-Associated Necrotizing Autoimmune Myositis Complicated by an Uncommon Adverse Effect to Treatment

The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus mongholicus and Salvia miltiorrhiza on Coronary Heart Disease Identified by Network Pharmacology and Experiment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Two Chinese herbal medicines Huang Qi (HQ, Astragalus mongholicus) and Dan Shen (DS, Salvia miltiorrhiza) are often combined to treat coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying synergistic effects and mechanisms of HQ and DS against CHD.

METHODS

The active components and targets of HQ and DS, CHD-related genes, and the biological progression were analysed by network pharmacology. The myocardial infarction (MI) rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cardiac function was detected by ultrasonic electrocardiography. The MI size, fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, lipid metabolism, blood viscosity, and coagulation indexes were analysed by histological staining or chemical methods, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 170 shared and specific seed genes of HQ and DS against CHD were identified. The shared and specific biological processes of HQ and DS against CHD were obtained. The LVEF and LVFS values significantly increased, the myocardium infarct size and fibrosis significantly decreased, the values of lipid metabolism indexes and blood viscosity indexes significantly reduced in the HQ + DS treatment group vs HQ or DS single treatment (P < 0.05); the LVEDd, LVEDs, and the CSA values significantly reduced in HQ single and HQ + DS treatment groups vs MI group (P < 0.05); the coagulation index (APTT, PT, TT, and FIB) values decreased significantly in the DS single and HQ + DS treatment groups vs MI group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In MI rats, HQ and DS exhibited synergistic effects on improving cardiac function, reducing MI size, fibrosis, regulating hyperlipidaemia, and maintaining circulatory system homeostasis; HQ had the specific advantage of alleviating cardiac remodelling; DS had the specific advantage of regulating hypercoagulability. This study revealed that HQ and DS not only exerted synergistic effects but also exhibited complementary effects on CHD.

Weakness Due to Anemia? Go Fish! Melena as a Red Herring in the Diagnosis of Statin-Induced Myopathy

Statins are a ubiquitous medication class in the primary care setting where they provide effective primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease by lowering cholesterol. While statins are mostly safe, muscle-related adverse events are well described. Very rarely patients can actually develop elevated creatine kinase (CK) consistent with myonecrosis. We present a case of progressive anti-hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) inflammatory myopathy, which was misdiagnosed for many months. Our patient was a 67-year-old gentleman sent to the ER by the Internal Medicine Clinic for profound weakness and melena. He had recently undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for evaluation of progressive dysphagia and was found to be significantly anemic. Repeat EGD demonstrated a bleeding ulcer, and his weakness was attributed to anemia; however, careful examination demonstrated objective muscle weakness which could not be attributed to anemia alone. Subsequent work-up demonstrated myositis due to HMGCR antibody. Statin cessation and treatment with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) led to a nearly full recovery in strength and resolution of dysphagia over the next several months.

Autoantibody-Negative Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy Responds to Early and Aggressive Treatment: A Case Report

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is a rare idiopathic disease that is further classified by the presence of serum antibodies. A modicum of patients lack serum autoantibodies. Significantly elevated creatine kinase (CK) is highly characteristic of IMNM. The pathophysiology of IMNM is partially understood, and effective treatment options are limited, particularly in patients without serum autoantibodies. In this case, we report a 76-year-old male presenting with a four-month history of proximal muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy and serology confirmed the diagnosis of autoantibody-negative IMNM. Early and aggressive treatment with high-dose steroids and a course of intravenous immunoglobulin significantly reduced the patient’s symptoms and CK within three months. This case serves as an example of an effective treatment outcome in a patient with this rare idiopathic necrotizing myopathy.