Anti-atherosclerotic effects between a combined treatment with simvastatin plus hirudin and single simvastatin therapy in patients with early type 2 diabetes mellitus

The Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects of Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, Bosentan, in Combination with Atorvastatin-An Experimental Study

Bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), has potential anti-atherosclerotic properties. We investigated the complementary effects of bosentan and atorvastatin on the progression and composition of the atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic mice. Forty-eight male ApoE-/- mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. At week 8, diabetes was induced with streptozotocin, and mice were randomized into four groups: (1) control/COG: no intervention; (2) ΒOG: bosentan 100 mg/kg/day per os; (3) ATG: atorvastatin 20 mg/kg/day per os; and (4) BO + ATG: combined administration of bosentan and atorvastatin. The intra-plaque contents of collagen, elastin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, -3, -9), and TIMP-1 were determined. The percentage of lumen stenosis was significantly lower across all treated groups: BOG: 19.5 ± 2.2%, ATG: 12.8 ± 4.8%, and BO + ATG: 9.1 ± 2.7% compared to controls (24.6 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001). The administration of both atorvastatin and bosentan resulted in significantly higher collagen content and thicker fibrous cap versus COG (p < 0.01). All intervention groups showed lower relative intra-plaque concentrations of MCP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and a higher TIMP-1concentration compared to COG (p < 0.001). Importantly, latter parameters presented lower levels when bosentan was combined with atorvastatin compared to COG (p < 0.05). Bosentan treatment in diabetic, atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice delayed the atherosclerosis progression and enhanced plaques' stability, showing modest but additive effects with atorvastatin, which are promising in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Evaluation of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule (ZL) is a Chinese patent medicine and used for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and its clinical application has gradually been widely recognized in China. However, the effects of ZL for patients with ACI have never been systematically evaluated.

PURPOSE

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of ZL in ACI.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The comprehensive literature search was accomplished in 6 electronic databases to find relevant randomized controlled trials from their inception until October 31, 2020. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used for methodological quality and independent evaluation. Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze all the data obtained. The Clinical Effective Rate (CER) was the primary outcome, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) were the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Seven clinical studies recruiting 571 eligible patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis suggested that compared with conventional treatment alone, ZL combined with conventional treatment significantly improved CER (RR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.12-1.29, p < 0.00001), decrease National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS) (MD = -2.60, 95% CI: -3.41-1.79, p < 0.00001), Barthel Index (BI) (MD = -9.75, 95% CI: 7.15-12.36, p < 0.00001) and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) (MD = -0.57, 95% CI: -0.84-0.30, p < 0.00001). There were no reported adverse events in the studies. Most results were robust and the quality of evidence was from moderate to low.

CONCLUSION

ZL combined with conventional treatment can improve the short-term outcomes of ACI patients, indicating ZL is a promising treatment choice for ACI and may be used as adjunctive treatment to the conventional treatment of ACI. However, due to the limitations of included clinical trials, high-quality clinical trials with longer follow-ups are still needed to further assess the effectiveness and safety of ZL for ACI patients.