MATN3 Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Osteoarthritis in Chinese Han Population: A Community-Based Case-Control Study

Background. The matrilin, especially matrilin-3 (MATN3), are reported to play important roles in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). To explore the relationship between MATN3 SNP6 (rs8176070) and primary OA, we conducted a community-based case-control study. Methods. A total of 732 community residents aged 40–84 years participated in the community-based study in Northeast China. After taking physical and radiographic examinations, 420 of the residents were diagnosed OA (216 women and 204 men). The other 312 individuals without any symptoms of osteoarthritis or signs in the radiographs (156 women and 156 men) were considered as healthy controls. After obtaining the DNA of case and control groups, genotypes of the MATN3 SNP6 were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion. The numbers of patients with different OA subtypes were also calculated. Results. The distribution of genotypes and alleles of the MATN3 SNP6 between OA patients and controls was different significantly. The BB carrier tends to be associated with the increased osteoarthritis (P = 0.025, OR = 1.724, 95% CI = 1.071–2.77), especially the knee osteoarthritis (P = 0.021, OR = 2.402, 95% CI = 1.141–5.060) and lumber osteoarthritis (P = 0.020, OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.103–3.204). Bb carrier increased hand osteoarthritis risk (P = 0.002, OR = 5.380, 95% CI = 1.828–15.835). The B allele might have an effect on the increased knee osteoarthritis (P = 0.000, OR = 3.143, 95% CI = 2.283–4.328). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the MATN3 gene polymorphism might be associated with osteoarthritis in the Chinese Han population

A Traditional Herbal Formula Xianlinggubao for Pain Control and Function Improvement in Patients with Knee and Hand Osteoarthritis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Trial

Evidence of efficacy of a traditional herbal formula Xianlinggubao (XLGB) for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) is limited. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of XLGB in the management of patients with knee and hand OA. This was a multicenter, stratified, open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at six centers in China. People aged 40 or above, diagnosed with OA of the knee or hand, were randomly assigned to the XLGB treatment group or watchful waiting control group. Main outcome measures were the changes in the numeric pain rating scales (NPRS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) or the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) scores, from baseline to 6 months. In total 534 patients (272 to XLGB and 262 to control group) received interventions. Participants in the XLGB group exhibited significant improvement in NPRS (P<0.001) and WOMAC score (P<0.001) or AUSCAN score (P<0.001) compared to control group. Treatment with XLGB at current regime significantly reduced pain and improved function of the knee and hand in patients with OA over a 6-month period, implying that XLGB could be suggested as an alternative treatment for patients with knee or hand OA