(1) Background: Lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance remains unclear. This study will investigate the effects of vitamin D₂ supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance in knee OA patients; (2) Methods: One hundred and seventy-five primary knee OA patients with low levels of serum 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) received 40,000 IU vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) per week for six months. Body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, serum 25(OH)D level, leptin, interlukin-6 (IL-6), parathyroid hormone (PTH), protein carbonyl, and metabolic profile were analyzed; (3) Results: Baseline mean serum 25(OH)D levels in knee OA patients was 20.73 ng/mL. Regarding baseline vitamin D status, 58.90% of patients had vitamin D insufficiency, and 41.10% had vitamin D deficiency. After vitamin D₂ supplementation for six months, mean serum 25(OH)D level was 32.14 ng/mL. For post-supplementation vitamin D status, 57.10% of patients had vitamin D sufficiency and 42.90% had vitamin D insufficiency. From baseline to six months, there was a significant increase in mean serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.001), while mean LDL cholesterol (p = 0.001), protein carbonyl (p = 0.04), and PTH (p = 0.005) all significantly decreased. Patient quality of life (SF-12) and pain (visual analog scale, VAS) both improved significantly from baseline to the six-month time point (p = 0.005 and p = 0.002, respectively). Knee OA patients demonstrated significant improvement grip strength and physical performance measurements after vitamin D₂ supplementation (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Vitamin D₂ supplementation for six months reduced oxidative protein damage, decreased pain (VAS), improved quality of life, and improved grip strength and physical performance in osteoarthritis patients.

High-quality, adequately-powered clinical trials investigating the effect of Essence of Chicken (EC) on cognitive function are lacking. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on healthy adult volunteers to determine the effect of EC on short-term memory, working memory, and selective and sustained attention. As a secondary objective, we evaluated baseline stress as a modifying factor by including treatment, stress and visit as main effects in a three-way ANOVA model. Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline, and Days 7 and 14. Data from 235 participants were analyzed on a per-protocol basis. The three-way interaction effect was significant (p = 0.020) in Digit Span Forward and further analyses showed EC improved test performance in moderate (p = 0.041) and severe stress (p = 0.065) but not in normal and mild stress subgroups. In Digit Span Backward, EC group showed greater improvement compared to placebo (p = 0.028), with 0.60 digits (8.50% improvement from baseline) more recalled on Day 7. No treatment or interaction effects were statistically significant in selective and sustained attention tests. Our findings support EC’s effect in improving mental processes used in working memory among healthy adults and short-term memory among healthy adults experiencing stress in daily life.

Telomere length is a hallmark characteristic of ageing and age‑related diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of joint pain and physical disability in the elderly. Previous studies have revealed the role of telomere shortening in OA; however, the relationship between telomere length, muscle strength and physical performance in knee OA patients remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of telomere length and physical performance in patients with knee OA. A total of 202 patients with knee OA and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The quality of life was assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index and Short Form Health Survey. The skeletal muscle mass was examined using bioelectrical impedance analysis, while the muscle strength was analyzed using hand grip force and isometric knee extension force. The physical performance of patients with knee OA was also investigated using gait speed, Timed up and go test (TUGT), Sit to stand test and 6‑min walk test (6MWT). Blood leukocyte relative telomere length (RTL) was assessed using real time quantitative PCR. The mean blood leukocyte RTL in knee OA subjects was significantly lower compared with healthy controls (P<0.001). Knee OA patients with RTL values in the lowest quartile had a slow gait speed (P=0.006) and prolonged TUGT time (P=0.03). Multivariate regression analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, body mass index, fat mass, skeletal muscle index and the total WOMAC demonstrated that gait speed, TUGT and 6MWT were associated with longer RTL (P‑trend<0.05). These findings suggested that poorer physical performance was associated with shorter RTL. Therefore, leukocyte telomere length and physical performance tests, especially gait speed, TUGT and 6MWT, could predict the health status and quality of life in patients with knee OA.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor A ( VEGFA) gene polymorphisms, plasma VEGFA, and the susceptibility of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design: A total of 404 subjects, 202 knee OA subjects and 202 healthy volunteers, were enrolled into the study. Four distinct polymorphisms of the VEGFA gene were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism: −2578C/A (rs699947), −1154G/A (rs1570360), −634C/G (rs2010963), and +936C/T (rs3025039). Plasma VEGFA levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The most common nucleotides in both knee OA subjects and healthy controls were CC for −2578C/A, GG for −1154G/A, CG for −634C/G, and CC for +936C/T in the VEGFA gene. Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of VEGFA −2578C/A, −1154G/A, −634C/G, and +936C/T single nucleotide polymorphisms did not differ between OA patients and the controls. Plasma VEGFA levels showed no difference between OA patients and the controls. In contrast, plasma VEGFA levels of −634C/C genotype were significantly higher in OA patients than in the controls ( P = 0.035). According to the −2578A/A genotype, patients with early stage OA had a higher odds ratio than those with advanced stage OA ( P = 0.023). Conclusions: VEGFA −2578C/A (rs699947), −1154G/A (rs1570360), −634C/G (rs2010963), and +936C/T (rs3025039) polymorphisms may not be responsible for OA susceptibility in the Thai population. However, the OA patients with A/A genotype at the −2578C/A seemed to have a lower potential risk of developing severe OA than those with the C/A and C/C genotypes. These findings would help elucidate and facilitate a better understanding of the genetic fundamentals of OA.

After undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedure, patients are at a high risk of falling because they present with ineffective mobility within a complex environment, especially during obstacle crossing. Toe clearance (TC) is an important factor to quantify the risks of trip-related falls. The study aimed to investigate TC height and toe trajectory and joint kinematic changes occurring in the lower limb following TKA during obstacle crossing at the initial swing phase. Twenty TKA patients, including those in preoperative and postoperative stages (three and six months), performed obstacle-crossing tasks to compare their performance with 20 healthy controls. Participants walked at self-pace along an 8 m walkway with 2.5, 5, and 10 cm obstacles positioned along the center of the path. For each participant, body segment motions were traced using reflective markers and the kinematics of lower extremity, toe clearance, and gait parameters were analyzed using a 3D-motion analysis system. TKA patients had lower TC height and toe trajectory at six months, slower toe elevation than controls when swing toe crossed 5 and 10 cm obstacles (p < 0.05), and decreased hip and knee flexion (p < 0.05). These altered gait patterns with decreased TC height and toe trajectory were identified as tripping factors as the toe trajectory was close to the ground surface. TKA patients had acquired different lower limb kinematics to maintain adequate TC. At long-term follow-up, there was an increasing trend for patients to trip after surgery. Therefore, more focus is needed on the exercise prescription for rehabilitation programs to improve muscle strength and stepping control.