Effect of chromium supplementation on hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this systematic review is to assess the relationship between chromium supplementation and inflammatory biomarkers levels (hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) as risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies raise questions regarding the potential of chromium supplementation to decrease the blood-levels of inflammatory markers, lowering cellular oxidative stress as markers of myocardial infarction; however, the results of the researches are inconclusive. METHODS: The following databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochran Library and Embase databases were systematically searched until April 2020. Analysis was performed using random-effect model. RESULTS: The pooled findings for biomarkers of inflammation showed that chromium supplementation significantly reduced serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (WMD: -0.87 mg/dL, 95% CI: -1.49, -0.26), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (WMD: -0.97 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.92, -0.01) and chromium insignificantly reduced interleukin -6 (IL-6) (WMD: -0.45 pg/ml, 95% CI: -1.18, 0.29). CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis imply that chromium supplementation may help to improve biomarkers of inflammation as markers of myocardial infarction.

[Effects of Tongxinluo Capsule on Platelet Activating Factor, Vascular Endothelial Function, Blood Flow of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients after Delayed Percutaneous Coronary Intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of Tongxinluo Capsule (TC) on platelet activating factor (PAF), vascular endothelial function, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow, and heart function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Totally 80 AMI inpatients were recruited at Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, from Jan. 2008 to Sep.2013. Those in line with inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to TC treatment group and the conventional treatment group by random digit table, 40 in each group. Besides, another 40 healthy subjects from examinees at Outpatient Department were recruited as a healthy control group. PCI was performed after 1-week treatment. Then blood samples were collected, and then blood contents of CD62P, CD63, GP II b/III a, ET-1, NO, and plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were detected. Coronary TIMI blood flow and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) were determined during PCI. Meanwhile, noninvasive blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after PCI, and cardiac function measured. They were compared with the healty control group. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, and ET-1 significantly increased, but NO significantly decreased in AMI patients (all P < 0.05). After 1-week intervention of TC, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, NO, and ET-1 significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the conventional treatment group at the same time point, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, and ET-1 decreased more significantly in the TC group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), increased NO levels were also more obviously seen (P < 0.01). The aforesaid parameters changed more obviously at day 30, as compared with those changes at week 1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The TIMI blood flow grade and CTFC were more obviously improved after PCI in the two treatment groups. Better TIMI blood flow was seen in the TC group. TIMI level 3 blood flow rate was higher in the TC group than in the conventional treatment group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejective factor (LVEF) after PCI was obviously elevated in the TC group and the conventional treatment group (P < 0.01), and the improvement was more obviously seen in the TC group (P < 0.05). There were 6 cases of recurrent angina, 3 cases of ventricular tachycardial (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF), 6 cases of heart failure (HF), 1 case of cardiac sudden death in the conventional treatment group, with the total incidence of cardiovascular events being 40% (16/40). There were 2 cases of recurrent angina, 2 cases of VT/VF, 2 cases of HF, no cardiac sudden death in the TC treatment group, with the total incidence of cardiovascular events being 15% (6/40). There was statistical difference in the recurrent rate of cardiovascular events between the two groups (χ² = 2.27, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TC not only could prevent coronary embolism of AMI patients after delayed PCI, attenuate vascular endothelial injury, but also could improve TIMI blood flow, and strengthen cardiac systolic function.