Narrow Results

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of berberine for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, six electronic literature databases including SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library were searched to collect clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of berberine alone or combined with statins for the treatment of hyperlipidemia from the inception to 8 March 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included RCTs. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 11 RCTs involving 1386 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the placebo group, berberine could significantly reduce the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and elevate the high density lipoprotein level ($P<0.05$). Compared with the simvastatin group, berberine was effective only in reducing the level of triglyceride ($\mathrm{\text{MD}}=-0.37$, 95% CI: $-$0.66, $-$0.07, $P=0.02$). There, however, was no statistical significance between the BBR group and simvastatin group in the low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein levels. Compared with the simvastatin group, berberine plus simvastatin was more effective in reducing the level of triglyceride ($\mathrm{\text{MD}}=-0.33$, 95% CI: $-$0.46, $-$0.20, $P<0.00001$) and total cholesterol ($\mathrm{\text{MD}}=-0.36$, 95% CI: $-$0.60, $-$0.12, $P=0.003$). In terms of adverse reactions, the incidence of adverse reactions including transaminase elevation and muscle aches was lower in the berberine alone or combined with simvastatin group than that in the control group, while the instance of constipation was higher. This study suggests that berberine is effective for hyperlipidemia. The quality and quantity of included studies, however, were dissatisfactory, which might decrease the reliability of the results. Higher quality studies are needed to provide more high quality evidence.

The purpose of this study is to identify a possible correlation between statin administration and incidence of spontaneous distal biceps tendon ruptures. We retrospectively reviewed 104 patients with distal biceps tendon rupture that were treated surgically from 2004 to 2010, 102 males and two females with mean age 47 years (range, 22–78). Patients were divided based on the mechanism of injury and statin administration. After statistical analysis, it was found nearly two times more likely to have spontaneous distal biceps tendon rupture with use of statins. Patients in Group 1 (spontaneous tendon rupture) compared to Group 2 (provoked tendon rupture) were older, had weaker postoperative strength but similar postoperative ROM. Patients taking statins compared to those that were not taking statins were older, had same postoperative strength and similar postoperative ROM. Based on the results of our study we conclude that there is a trend of association of spontaneous distal biceps tendon ruptures with statin administration.

Background: The influence of coronary atherosclerosis and related treatment drugs on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) development requires in-depth study. The study investigated the effect of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and drugs for CAC on the development of AECOPD.

Methods: This retrospective clinical study recruited subjects with AECOPD from May 2017 to May 2019. All subjects performed spirometry and coronary computed tomography (CT), and were divided into three groups according to whether coronary CT revealed CAC and whether they had received oral aspirin and statins: AECOPD group, AECOPD$+$CAC nonmedication and AECOPD$+$CAC medication. The t-test and nonparametric test were used for analyzing the lung function, arterial blood gas, routine blood and lipid between groups.

Results: Compared with the AECOPD group, Lym% were significantly higher ($P=0.033$) in both the AECOPD$+$CAC nonmedication and the AECOPD$+$CAC medication. The AECOPD$+$CAC medication group also had significantly higher PaO₂ ($P<0.05$). WBC, Neu, and Neu% in the AECOPD$+$CAC medication group were significantly lower ($P<0.05$) compared to the AECOPD group.

Conclusions: Aspirin and statins for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases may be linked to improving lung function, normalizing blood gas levels, and reducing inflammation in patients with AECOPD and CAC. Further, randomized controlled trials are needed to explore this topic.