Impact of orange juice consumption on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the greatest cause of premature death and disability globally. Numerous therapeutic strategies have been developed to improve and prevent the adverse cardiovascular events, including nutritional approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the evidence on orange juice consumption on CVD risk factors. Four databases were searched up to September 2020. Ten randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. Pooled results demonstrated a significant effect of orange juice on glucose (WMD: -2.92 mg/dl, 95% CI: -5.327, -0.530, p = 0.017), insulin (WMD: -1.229 µU/ml, 95% CI: -2.083, -0.374, p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.464, 95% CI: -0.747, -0.181, p = 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD: -9.84 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.43, -4.24, p = 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: -9.14 mg/dl, 95% CI: -15.79, -2.49, p = 0.007), and CRP (WMD: -0.467 mg/l, 95% CI: -0.815, -0.120, p = 0.008) compared to control group. However, the effect of orange juice on body composition factors and other CVD risk factors was not significant compared to control group. These lowering effects of glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, and LDL-C were robust in subgroups with orange juice consumption ≥500 ml/day. This meta-analysis suggests that orange juice may be beneficial in improving several CVD risk factors.

The influence of omega-3 supplementation on vitamin D levels in humans: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Inconsistencies exist with regard to the influence of omega-3 supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, which could be attributed to many factors, such as the duration and dose of omega-3 supplementation, and individuals' baseline 25(OH)D levels. Therefore, to address the inconsistencies, we conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to accurately determine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on 25(OH)D levels in humans. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search in Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases from inception up to January 2020. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We used weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the influence of omega-3 supplementation on serum 25(OH)D levels using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Our pooled results of 10 RCTs demonstrated an overall significant increase in 25(OH)D levels following omega-3 intake (WMD = 3.77 ng/ml, 95% CI: 1.29, 6.25). In addition, 25(OH)D levels were significantly increased when the intervention duration lasted >8 weeks and when the baseline serum 25(OH)D level was ˂20 ng/ml. Moreover, omega-3 intake ≤1000 mg/day resulted in higher 25(OH)D levels compared to omega-3 intake >1000 mg/day. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, omega-3 supplementation increased 25(OH)D concentrations, particularly with dosages ≤1000 mg/day and intervention durations >8 weeks.

Lynch Syndrome Identification in Saudi Cohort of Endometrial Cancer Patients Screened by Universal Approach.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common cause of inherited endometrial cancer (EC). The prevalence and molecular characteristic of LS in Middle Eastern women with EC have been underexplored. To evaluate the frequency of LS in a cohort of EC patients from Saudi Arabia, a total of 436 EC cases were screened utilizing immunohistochemistry (IHC), MLH1 promoter methylation analysis and next-generation sequencing technology. A total of 53 of 436 (12.2%) ECs were classified as DNA mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR). MLH1 promoter hypermethylation was detected in 30 ECs (6.9%). Three ECs (0.7%) were found to be LS harboring germline pathogenic variants (PVs)/likely pathogenic variants (LPVs): two in the MSH2 gene and one in the MSH6 gene. Three ECs (0.7%) were Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) carrying double somatic MSH2 PVs/LPVs. Seven cases were found to have variants of uncertain significance in cancer-related genes other than MMR genes. Our results indicate that LS prevalence is low among Saudi EC patients and LLS is as common as LS in this ethnicity. Our findings could help in better understanding of the prevalence and mutational spectrum of this syndrome in Saudi Arabia, which may help in defining best strategies for LS identification, prevention and genetic counseling for EC patients.

Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent in the majority of anal, head and neck, oral, oropharyngeal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Of all diagnosed human malignant neoplasms, approximately 4.5% are attributable to HPV, including cervical, anal cancers, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Over 182 HPV types have been identified and sequenced to date however, only certain types of HPV are more frequent in malignant lesions and considered to be a major risk factor in the development of some cancers. Because most HPV infections are transient, and an individual's immunocompetent may clear the infection, HPV infection has received little attention from clinicians, the general public, or policy makers. This lack of attention may underpin a deadly and increasing problem because each newly acquired infection has the potential to persist and become an incurable, lifelong affliction. In addition, no successful treatment of HPV infection currently exists despite the great strides toward understanding the mechanisms underlying HPV pathogenesis. Moreover, ample research has proven that the use of prophylactic vaccines, such as Gardasil and Cervarix, have led to documented progress in decreasing the burden of HPV infection, however not all countries introduced a government-funded National HPV Vaccination Program to protect young men and women. This chapter summarizes the HPV infection, detection and prevention. We also shed light on non-cervical HPV-related cancers, which is rapidly increasing in more developed countries toward cervical cancer.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in cancers derived from multiple organ sites among middle eastern population.

Sanger Sequencing and immunohistochemistry was employed to investigate the TERT promoter mutations and TERT protein expression with their association to clinicopathological characteristics in over 2200 samples of Middle Eastern origin from 13 different types of cancers. The TERT promoter mutations were most frequently present in bladder cancer (68.6%), followed by central nervous system tumors (28.7%), thyroid cancer (15.4%), prostate cancer (9.3%), endometrial carcinoma (3.7%), rhabdomyosarcoma (1.4%), colorectal cancer (1%), epithelial ovarian carcinoma (0.7%) and breast cancer (0.7%). No mutations were observed in other types of cancers. In bladder cancer, we found significant inverse association with metastasis and a trend to good survival in patients with TERT mutations. In gliomas, TERT promoter mutations predicted poor prognosis. In thyroid cancer, high frequency of TERT mutation was observed in poorly differentiated carcinoma. In addition, TERT promoter mutations were associated with aggressive markers and poor outcome in follicular thyroid carcinomas.

Genetic heterogeneity and evolutionary history of high-grade ovarian carcinoma and matched distant metastases.

BACKGROUND: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most frequent type of ovarian carcinoma, associated with poor clinical outcome and metastatic disease. Although metastatic processes are becoming more understandable, the genomic landscape and metastatic progression in HGSOC has not been elucidated. METHODS: Multi-region whole-exome sequencing was performed on HGSOC primary tumours and their metastases (n = 33 tumour regions) from six patients. The resulting somatic variants were analysed to delineate tumour evolution and metastatic dissemination, and to compare the repertoire of events between primary HGSOC and metastasis. RESULTS: All cases presented branching evolution patterns in primary HGSOC, with three cases further showing parallel evolution in which different mutations on separate branches of a phylogenetic tree converge on the same gene. Furthermore, linear metastatic progression was observed in 67% of cases with late dissemination, in which the metastatic tumour mostly acquires the same mutational process active in primary tumour, and parallel metastatic progression, with early dissemination in the remaining 33.3% of cases. Metastatic-specific SNVs were further confirmed as late dissemination events. We also found the involvement of metastatic-specific driver events in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, and identified potential clinically actionable events in individual patients of the metastatic HGSOC cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides deeper insights into clonal evolution and mutational processes that can pave the way to new therapeutic targets.

Prevalence, spectrum, and founder effect of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in epithelial ovarian cancer from the Middle East.

Germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 and 2 have previously been estimated to contribute to 13-18% of all epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). To characterize the prevalence and effect of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Middle Eastern EOC patients, BRCA mutation screening was performed in 407 unselected ovarian cancer patients using targeted capture and/or Sanger sequencing. A total of 19 different pathogenic variants (PVs) were identified in 50 (12.3%) women. Nine PVs were recurrent accounting for 80% of cases with PVs (40/50) in the entire cohort. Founder mutation analysis revealed only two mutations (c.4136_4137delCT and c.1140dupG) sharing the same haplotypes thus representing founder mutations in the Middle Eastern population. Identification of the mutation spectrum, prevalence, and founder effect in Middle Eastern population facilitates genetic counseling, risk assessment, and development of a cost-effective screening strategy.

Preoperative Anemia as a Prognostic Factor in Endometrioid-Type Endometrial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the frequency of preoperative anemia (hemoglobin level <12 g/dL) and its prognostic significance for clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes in Saudi patients with endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma (EC). METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 148 patients who underwent staging surgery for primary EC were retrospectively analyzed for perioperative details regarding clinicopathological factors and survival. RESULTS: The frequency of preoperative anemia was 27.7% (n = 41). Patients with advanced FIGO disease (stages III-IV), unfavourable endometrioid tumour grade II-III, ≥50% myometrial invasion, positive lymphovascular space invasion, and tumour recurrence had statistically significant lower mean preoperative hemoglobin levels (two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test; P < 0.05). Patients with preoperative anemia had statistically significant higher rates of advanced FIGO stage III-IV (P = 0.0000), unfavourable grades II-III endometrioid histology (P = 0.0005), ≥50% myometrial invasion (P = 0.0016), positive lymphovascular space invasion (P = 0.0019), and tumour recurrence (P = 0.0064) than patients without preoperative anemia (two-tailed chi-square test). In a univariate analysis, patients with preoperative anemia had statistically lower significant mean 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates than patients without preoperative anemia (log-rank test; P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0003, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, preoperative anemia was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for 5-year DFS (P = 0.0303), but not OS (P = 0.2588). CONCLUSION: In patients with endometrioid-type EC, the preoperative anemia is fairly common. Moreover, preoperative anemia is correlated with a number of unfavourable clinicopathological factors, as well as poor survival (in terms of DFS and OS) in the univariate analysis.

Expanding the spectrum of germline variants in cancer.

Our ability to identify germline variants in hereditary cancer cases remains challenged by the incomplete cataloging of relevant genes and lack of consensus on who should be tested. We designed a panel [hereditary oncogenesis predisposition evaluation (HOPE)] that encompasses most of the genes known to be associated with cancer development and tested its yield on more than 1300 samples of cancer patients. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in high and intermediate risk genes were identified in 16, 23.9, 9.7 and 2.7%, respectively, of peripheral blood or normal tissue samples taken from patients with breast, ovarian, colorectal and thyroid cancer. To confirm specificity of these findings, we tested an ethnically matched cohort of 816 individuals and only identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 1.59% (0.98% in high risk and 0.61% in intermediate risk). Remarkably, pathogenic or likely pathogenic alleles in DNA repair/genomic instability genes (other than BRCA2, ATM and PALB2) accounted for at least 16.8, 11.1, 50 and 45.5% of mutation-positive breast, ovarian, thyroid and colorectal cancer patients, respectively. Family history was noticeably lacking in a substantial fraction of mutation-positive cases (63.7, 81.5, 42.4 and 87.5% in breast, ovarian, colorectal and thyroid, respectively). Our results show high contribution of germline mutations to cancer predisposition that extends beyond "classical" hereditary cancer genes. Family history was lacking in 63.5% mutation-positive cases, shows that hereditary cancer need not appear familial and suggests that relaxed selection of cancer patients for hereditary cancer panels should be considered.

Human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution among women attending routine gynecological examinations in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is caused by persistent infection with high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) types. In Saudi Arabia which has a population of 6.5 million women over the age of 15 years, approximately 152 new cases of CC are diagnosed and 55 women die from the disease annually. Nevertheless current epidemiological data for HPV in this population are limited. This study evaluated the prevalence and type distribution of HPV and documented the awareness of HPV infection and health-related behavior among Saudi and non-Saudi women attending routine examination. METHODS: This was an observational, epidemiological cross-sectional study conducted between April 2010 and December 2011 at three hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Cervical samples from women aged ≥15 years, who were attending routine gynecological examinations were collected and tested for HPV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction and typed using the SPF10 DEIA/LiPA25 system. Two questionnaires on health-related behavior and awareness of HPV infection were completed. RESULTS: A total of 417 women, mean age (standard deviation) 41.9 (±10.4) years, were included in the final analysis, of whom 77% (321/417) were Saudi nationals. HPV-DNA was detected in 9.8% women (41/417, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.1-13.1). The prevalence of any HR-HPV by age was: 25-34 years: 3.0%; 35-44 years: 4.5%; 45-54 years: 3.2%; >55 years: 10.9%. The most prevalent HR-HPV-types were: HPV-68/73 (5 cases); HPV-18 (4 cases); HPV-16 (3 cases). The most prevalent low risk (LR) types were HPV-6 (4 cases); HPV-42, HPV-53 and HPV-54 (2 cases each). The prevalence of HPV was higher among non-Saudi nationals vs. Saudi nationals (16.7% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.0234). No statistically significant risk factors were identified: 32.2% (101/314) women were aware of HPV and 89.9% (285/317) showed an interest in HPV vaccination. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of HPV was 9.8% in Saudi Arabia, but was higher in women over 55 years, as well as in non-Saudi nationals. These data provide a reference for public health authorities and may also help in determining future policies for the prevention of CC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01213459.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumor: a single-center experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was to retrospectively report our experience (efficacy/morbidity) with cytoreductive surgery+hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC) for the management of recurrent/relapsed ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2013, six patients underwent CRS+HIPEC. CRS was performed with standard peritonectomy procedures and visceral resections directed towards complete elimination of tumors from the abdominopelvic cavity. HIPEC was performed with cisplatin (50 mg/m²) and doxorubicin (15 mg/m²) and allowed to circulate in the abdominopelvic cavity for 90 min at 41.0-42.2°C. RESULTS: Cytoreduction completeness (CC-0) was achieved in all except one patient (CC-1). Five patients had OGCT recurrences in abdomen+pelvis and one patient in abdomen only. No grade V morbidity (Clavien-Dindo classification) occurred. Two patients developed lung atelectasis, which was managed by mere chest physiotherapy (grade I). One patient developed urinary tract infection (grade II) and another patient developed pneumonia (grade II) - both of which were managed by antibiotics. One patient developed splenic bed and anterior abdominal wall collections requiring ultrasound-guided aspiration without general anesthesia (grade III). One patient developed pulmonary embolism requiring intensive care-unit management (grade IV). Four chemo-naïve patients received adjuvant chemotherapy whereas the remaining two previously chemo-exposed patients received no adjuvant therapy. All patients were alive and disease-free without proof of recurrence/relapse at 40, 32, 27, 24, 20 and 16 months. The average interval of follow-up after CRS+HIPEC was roughly 27 months (range: 16-40 months). CONCLUSION: CRS+HIPEC appears to be an efficacious and morbidly well-tolerated therapeutic modality for recurrent/relapsed OGCT. Long-term follow-up data and further research are needed.

Ovarian tumor cell-derived JAGGED2 promotes omental metastasis through stimulating the Notch signaling pathway in the mesothelial cells.

The primary site of metastasis for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the peritoneum, and it occurs through a multistep process that begins with adhesive contacts between cancer cells and mesothelial cells. Despite evidence that Notch signaling has a role in ovarian cancer, it is unclear how exactly it contributes to ovarian cancer omental metastasis, as well as the cellular dynamics and intrinsic pathways that drive this tropism. Here we show that tumor cells produced the Notch ligand Jagged2 is a clinically and functionally critical mediator of ovarian cancer omental metastasis by activating the Notch signaling in single-layered omental mesothelial cells. In turn, Jagged2 promotes tumor growth and therapeutic resistance by stimulating IL-6 release from mesothelial cells. Additionally, Jagged2 is a potent downstream mediator of the omental metastasis cytokine TGF-ß that is released during omental destruction. Importantly, therapeutic inhibition of Jagged2-mediated omental metastasis was significantly improved by directly disrupting the Notch pathway in omental mesothelial cells. These findings highlight the key role of Jagged2 to the functional interplay between the TGF-ß and the Notch signaling pathways during the metastatic process of ovarian cancer cells to the omentum and identify the Notch signaling molecule as a precision therapeutic target for ovarian cancer metastasis.

A detailed study of patients and tumor characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer in Saudi women.

BACKGROUND: The Saudi population is characterized by high parity and intermarriages that may impact ovarian carcinogenesis. Herein, we analyzed the tumor characteristics and outcomes in Saudi patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: Patients with EOC treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center during 1995-2007 were identified retrospectively through a review of their medical records. Patients' and tumor characteristics were collected including age at diagnosis, marital status, parity, histology, stage, treatment rendered, and follow-up data. RESULTS: One hundred-ninety-three patients with EOC were identified in this cohort. The mean age of the patients was 55 ± 15 years, the mean ± SD body mass index was 27.0 ± 5.6 kg/m, and the median parity was approximately 7.0. Whereas 4 patients reported a family history of cancer, 164 women reported negative family history; and it was unknown in 27 cases. Tumor distribution by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was the following: 12 patients (6.2%) had stage I disease at diagnosis, 1 patient (0.5%) stage II disease, 130 patients (67.4%) stage III disease, 39 patients (20.2%) stage IV disease, and that of 11 patients (5.7%) was unknown. Information on residual disease after surgery was available on 98 patients with optimal debulking (<1 cm) achieved in 61 cases. Median progression-free survival from end of chemotherapy to recurrence/progression was 11.9 months (95% confidence interval, 9.4-15.2). Tumor histology, size of residual disease, and stage at diagnosis were significant prognostic factors. The patients' age, body mass index, tumor histology, and grade had no impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with advanced-stage disease are higher among Saudis than those reported in global literature. Despite high intermarriage rates, reported family history for related cancers was quite low in this cohort. Notably, this is the first study evaluating EOC in Saudi patients.

Does Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Have Favorable Effects on the Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women? A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Menopause is associated with disturbances in the metabolism of lipids. Moreover, during the postmenopausal period, female subjects are more prone to develop dyslipidemia. Omega-3 fatty acids, which exert cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering actions, are commonly recommended in postmenopausal women. However, their effect on serum lipids in this population remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to clarify this research question. METHODS: We systematically searched the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases from their inception until January 3, 2022. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to combine effect sizes. FINDINGS: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in a decrease in triglyceride concentrations (weighted mean difference [WMD], -17.8 mg/dL; 95% CI, -26 to -9.6; P < 0.001), particularly in the RCTs that lasted ≤16 weeks (WMD, -18.6 mg/dL), when the baseline triglyceride concentrations were ≥150 mg/dL (WMD, -22.8 mg/dL), in individuals with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (WMD, -19.3 mg/dL), and when the dose of omega-3 fatty acids was ≥1 g/d (WMD, -21.10 mg/dL). LDL-C (WMD, 4.1 mg/dL; 95% CI, 1.80 to 6.36; P < 0.001) and HDL-C (WMD, 2.1 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.97 to 3.2; P < 0.001) values increased. Total cholesterol levels (WMD, -0.15 mg/dL; 95% CI, -4 to 3.74; P = 0.94) remained unchanged after administration of omega-3 fatty acids. IMPLICATIONS: In postmenopausal women, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride concentrations and a modest elevation in HDL-C and LDL-C levels, whereas this intervention did not affect total cholesterol values.

PALB2 germline mutations in a large cohort of Middle Eastern breast-ovarian cancer patients.

The PALB2 gene is a breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) predisposition gene involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway. However, the prevalence and clinicopathological association of PALB2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (PV/LPV) variants in Middle East is still not fully explored. Total 918 BC/OC patients from Saudi Arabia were selected for PALB2 mutations screening using capture sequencing technology. Five heterozygous PVs or LPVs were identified in six cases, accounting for 0.65% (6/918) of entire cohort. Two cases (33.3%) harbored PVs and four cases (66.7%) carried LPVs. Four PVs/LPVs (80%) were frameshift along with one novel splicing LPV (c.2835-2_2835-1delinsTT). One recurrent LPV (c.3425delT: p.L1142fs) was identified in two cases. All six affected carriers have breast cancer diagnosis with median age of 39.5 years (range 34-49 years). Only two cases (33%) have documented family history of cancer. Breast cancer phenotype was invasive ductal unilateral cancer in all cases with 66.7% of hormone receptor positive and 16% of triple negative tumors. Germline PVs/LPVs in the PALB2 gene were observed in low frequency of 0.65% in Saudi BC and/or OC. Our study confirms one recurrent LPV and one novel LPV in Saudi breast cancer patients.

Superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) block during minimally invasive hysterectomy: A systematic review.

To systematically summarize the efficacy and safety of superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) block versus no SHP block among patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH). Five information sources were screened from inception until 04.04.2022 and comprised the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria comprised (i) patients: individuals undergoing MIH, (ii) intervention: SHP block, (iii) Comparator: no SHP block, (iv) Outcomes: postoperative pain, postoperative opioid consumption, operation time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and complications/toxicities, and (v) Study design: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized comparative trials published in peer-reviewed journals. Owing to the insignificant number of available studies, methodologic heterogeneity, and procedural variances, it was impossible to carry out a quantitative meta-analysis. Hence, the results of the included studies were only reported qualitatively (descriptively). Three studies (2 RCTs and 1 cohort study), comprising 210 patients (SHP=107 and non-SHP=103) were included in the qualitative synthesis. Overall, the included studies had a low risk of bias. The results showed that SHP block appeared largely safe and could reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. However, SHP block did not offer clinical benefits in terms of reduced operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay compared with non-SHP block. Among patients undergoing MIH, this first ever systematic review showed that SHP block was safe and exhibited potential analgesic and opioid-sparing effects postoperatively. Additional RCTs are needed to carry out a powered meta-analysis and validate the findings.

The Effect of Anastrozole on the Lipid Profile: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the impact of anastrozole administration on the traditional components of the lipid profile (ie, total cholesterol [TC], LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides [TGs]) by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. METHODS: We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for relevant randomized controlled trials published in the English language until January 18, 2022. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird methods). FINDINGS: Anastrozole administration significantly lowered TC concentrations when the treatment duration was ≤3 months (WMD = -2.73 mg/dL; 95% CI, -5.09 to -0.38 mg/dL; P = 0.02) and when the baseline TC concentration was ≥200 mg/dL (WMD = -3.64 mg/dL; 95% CI, -6.30 to -0.98 mg/dL; P = 0.007). HDL-C levels decreased after anastrozole administration when the treatment duration was >3 months (WMD = -1.67 mg/dL; 95% CI, -3.24 to -0.10 mg/dL; P = 0.03). Anastrozole administration had no impact on TG or LDL-C values. IMPLICATIONS: Anastrozole administration in humans can decrease TC and HDL-C levels but has no effect on LDL-C or TG concentrations.

Preemptive pregabalin for postoperative analgesia during minimally invasive hysterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the analgesic benefits of preemptive pregabalin among patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy. Five major databases were systematically screened from inception until August 29, 2021 Relevant studies were evaluated for risk of bias. Endpoints were analyzed using the random-effects model and pooled as the mean difference or risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Four studies with seven treatment arms met the inclusion criteria. The total sample size was 304 patients: 193 and 111 patients were allocated to the pregabalin and placebo groups, respectively. Overall, the included studies revealed a low risk of bias. The summary results revealed that the mean postoperative pain scores at rest were significantly lower in the pregabalin group than in the control group at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Moreover, the mean postoperative pain scores on movement/coughing were significantly lower in the pregabalin group than in the control group at 12 and 24 hours. The rate of patients who were opioid-free postoperatively was significantly higher in the pregabalin group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean postoperative time to first rescue analgesic and the rates of adverse events. Compared with placebo, preemptive pregabalin was largely safe, and was correlated with superior analgesic effects in terms of lower postoperative pain scores and higher opioid-sparing effects. Additional RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

The effect of tamoxifen on the lipid profile in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The effect of tamoxifen administration on serum lipids in females remains unclear. The studies which have explored this topic have produced conflicting results, probably due to discrepancies in the length of the intervention, differences in baseline variables or other factors. To answer this research question, we decided to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of tamoxifen on the lipid profile in women. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline and Embase, from the inception of these databases up to June 2021. We used a random effects meta-analysis to generate the combined results. RESULTS: The overall findings were generated from 18 eligible trials. As compared to placebo, tamoxifen led to a notable reduction of the total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: -23.03 mg/dL, 95% CI: -25.94 to -20.12, P˂0.001), and the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: -18.68 mg/dL, 95% CI: -24.31 to -13.04, P˂0.001). However, tamoxifen did not alter triglycerides (TG) concentrations (WMD: +1.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: -11.08 to 13.20, P = 0.864) significantly. A pronounced reduction of the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) was noted in the RCTs with a duration of ≤52 weeks (WMD: -2.06 mg/dL) and when tamoxifen was administered in participants with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (WMD: -1.42 mg/dL). Notable reductions in TC (WMD: -23.57 mg/dL) and LDL-C (WMD: -19.21 mg/dL) was detected when the dose of tamoxifen was ≥20 mg/day. Moreover, a significant reduction of TC (WMD: -20.23 mg/dL) and LDL-C (WMD: -24.13 mg/dL) was observed in the RCTs with a duration of ≤52 weeks. CONCLUSION: Tamoxifen can alter the lipid profile in females, particularly by decreasing TC, LDL-C and HDLC. Tamoxifen can further reduce TC and LDL-C if the dose of administration is ≥20 mg/day, the treatment duration is ≤52 weeks and if it prescribed in subjects with dyslipidemia.