Beni Olej

Effect of oral ingestion of an extract of the herb Uncaria tomentosa on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate in rats

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the oral ingestion of an extract of the herb Uncaria tomentosa (cats claw) on the biodistribution of the radiobiocomplex sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats. The animals (male Wistar rats, 2 months old, 180-220 g), were treated (1 mL) with an U. tomentosa extract (32 mg/mL, N = 5) or 0.9% NaCl solution (control, N = 5) for 7 days. After this period, Na99mTcO4 (3.7 MBq, 0.3 mL) was injected through the ocular plexus and after 10 min the rats were killed, the organs isolated and counted in a well-gamma counter. A significant (P < 0.05) alteration in Na99mTcO4 uptake i) from 0.57 +/- 0.008 to 0.39 +/- 0.06 %ATI/organ (P < 0.05) and from 0.57 +/- 0.17 to 0.39 +/- 0.14 %ATI/g (P < 0.05) was observed in the heart, ii) from 0.07 +/- 0.02 to 0.19 +/- 0.07 %ATI/g in the pancreas, and iii) from 0.07 +/- 0.01 to 0.18 +/- 0.07 %ATI/g (P < 0.05) in muscle after treatment with this extract. Although these results were obtained with animals, caution is advisable in the interpretation of the nuclear medicine examination when the patient is using this herb. This finding is probably an example of drug interaction with a radiopharmaceutical, a fact that could lead to misdiagnosis of the examination in clinical practice with unexpected consequences for the patient.

BMP4 Polymorphism is Associated With Nonsyndromic Oral Cleft in a Brazilian Population

Objective To evaluate the association of the polymorphisms in the TGFB3 gene (rs2268626) and the BMP4 gene (rs17563) with nonsyndromic oral clefts. Design A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with nonsyndromic oral clefts cases and unaffected controls. Cleft type and tooth agenesis data were collected by clinical examination and confirmed through medical records. Risk factors were obtained through a questionnaire. Genotyping of the selected polymorphisms for TGFB3 and BMP4 were carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the Taqman assay method from a genomic DNA isolated from buccal epithelial cells of all individuals. Setting The case group was ascertained through a public reference hospital of oral cleft rehabilitation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The noncleft group consisted of unrelated subjects, with no history of oral cleft in the family, recruited at the Dental Clinic at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Participants A total of 833 unrelated individuals (450 control individuals and 383 cases with nonsyndromic oral clefts) Results No significant association in relation to genotype or allele distributions for TGFB3 polymorphism was found between oral cleft subgroups and the control group. For BMP4, there were significant differences in the genotype frequencies between the oral cleft and control groups (P = .0007). Regarding cleft type, there were statistically significant differences between the cleft lip and control groups (P = .00009). Conclusion Our findings provide preliminary evidence suggesting that the risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts may be influenced by variation in the BMP4 gene.

Effects of electroacupuncture on local anaesthesia for inguinal hernia repair: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Objective To assess the effect of electroacupuncture (EA), akin to percutaneous electroneurostimulation, on pain and biochemical measures during and after inguinal hernia repair. Methods Thirty-three patients were randomised to EA (n=16) or sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) control (n=17). EA was applied at different frequencies, through needles inserted around the incision, over selected peripheral nerve branches and in the ear, from 30 min before surgery until the end of surgery, when needles were removed. All patients also received routine sedation and local anaesthesia. Results There was no difference between the pain scores in the groups receiving EA and sham TENS in the immediate postoperative period, which may be owing to adequate levels of analgesia from conventional techniques. On the fourth and seventh postoperative days, less pain and lower consumption of analgesic drugs were reported in the treatment group. Seroma occurred more frequently in the control group, which also had higher glucose blood levels in the immediate postoperative surgery period. The single case of chronic postoperative pain occurred in the control group. Conclusions The sample size was too small to draw any conclusions about the effect of EA on pain and other parameters following inguinal hernia surgery, but our observations suggest that future studies in this area are justified.

Osteoblast Adhesion Dynamics : A Possible Role for ROS and LMW-PTP

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulate a variety of intracellular events, but their role in osteoblast adhesion and spreading remains unclear. ROS is a very‐known physiological modulators of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases activities, mainly to low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW‐PTP) activity. As this biological mechanism is not clear in osteoblast adhesion, we decided to investigate ROS levels and phosphorylations of FAK and Src, identifying these proteins as potential substrates to LMW‐PTP activity. Our results showed that during osteoblast adhesion/spreading (30 min and 2 h of seeding) the intracellular ROS content (hydrogen peroxide) is finely regulated by an effective anti‐oxidant system [catalase and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated]. During the first 30 min of adhesion, there was an increase in ROS production and a concomitant increase in focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity after its phosphorylation at Tyrosine 397 (Y397). Moreover, after 2 h there was a decrease in ROS content and FAK phosphorylation. There was no significant change in LMW‐PTP expression at 30 min or 2 h. In order to validate our hypothesis that LMW‐PTP is able to control FAK activity by modulating its phosphorylation status, we decided to overexpress and silence LMW‐PTP in this context. Our results showed that FAK phosphorylation at Y397 was increased and decreased in osteoblasts with silenced or overexpressed LMW‐PTP, respectively. Together, these data show that ROS modulate FAK phosphorylation by an indirect way, suggesting that a LMW‐PTP/FAK supra‐molecular complex is involved in transient responses during osteoblast adhesion and spreading. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1063–1069, 2014.

Effects of electroacupuncture on stress-related symptoms in medical students: a randomised placebo-controlled study

Objective To assess the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on relieving stress-related symptoms—sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and burnout—in medical students. Methods Eighty-two students were randomised into an EA treatment group (n=30), a sham TENS group (n=18) and an untreated control group (n=34). EA was applied at a continuous frequency of 2 Hz to the limbs, face, ears and scalp for 20 min once a week, over 6–8 weeks. Sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was performed on similar sites for the same number of times in each session and for the same length of time. Outcome measurements included a comparison of the indices obtained by different self-applied questionnaires before and after treatment. The surveys used were the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey (MBI-SS), in addition to the Quality of Life Questionnaire—abbreviated version (WHOQOL-bref). Results EA significantly improved scores on the MSQ, PSQI, BDI and the cynicism and academic efficacy (AE) dimensions of the MBI-SS in relation to the control. Sleep quality (MSQ) improved from 36.9 (SD 7.6) to 25.0 (5.7) with EA, 37.6 (6.0) to 32.1 (6.9) with sham TENS, and 36.5 (5.9) to 33.6 (6.7) in the controls (p=0.0000). Compared with the sham TENS group, EA significantly reduced scores on the PSQI. Score improvements in the sham TENS group in relation to control group were significant in the MSQ, BDI and AE. In the EA group, the number of students with better scores after intervention was significantly higher for the MSQ, PSQI, ESS and BAI. This only occurred for the MSQ in the sham TENS group and for the MSQ and ESS in the control group. Conclusions EA significantly reduced stress-related mental symptoms. The improvement obtained by sham TENS compared with the control group confirmed the presence of a placebo effect resulting from the treatment ritual.

Effects of electroacupuncture on stress-related symptoms in medical students: a randomised controlled pilot study

Objective To assess the effects of electroacupuncture on stress-related symptoms—sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and burnout—in medical students, and provide data to inform a power analysis to determinate numbers for future trials. Methods Twenty-five students were randomly assigned to an electroacupuncture (n=12) group or control group (n=13) that did not receive treatment. Electroacupuncture was applied at a continuous frequency 2 Hz for 20 min once a week for 8 weeks at sites on the extremities, face, ear and scalp. The outcomes of the students treated with electroacupuncture were compared with those of the control group at the endpoint, controlling the influence of baseline scores. The instruments used were self-administered questionnaires that comprised the validated Portuguese version of the mini-sleep questionnaire (MSQ), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the Beck depression inventory (BDI), the Beck anxiety inventory, the Maslach burnout inventory–student survey (MBI–SS), and World Health Organization quality of life assessment – abbreviated version (WHOQOL–bref). Results The medical students treated with electroacupuncture showed a significant decrease compared with the control group for MSQ scores (p=0.04) and PSQI (p=0.006). After treatment, 75% students in the electroacupuncture group presented a good sleep quality, compared with 23.1% of the students in the control group. No significant difference on daytime sleepiness was shown by the ESS. The electroacupuncture group showed significant improvement on depressive symptoms (BDI), the emotional exhaustion and cynicism dimensions of burnout (MBI–SS) and physical health (WHOQOL–bref). Conclusions Electroacupuncture was associated with a significant reduction of stress-related symptoms, but because of the study design the authors cannot say what proportion of the reduction was due to needle stimulation.

The ingestión of a Nectandra membranácea extract changes the bioavailability of technetium-99m radiobiocomplex in rat organs

The radiobiocomplexes labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) have been widely used in nuclear medicine in single photon emission computed tomography and in basic research. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a Nectandra membranacea extract on the bioavailability of the sodium pertechnetate (Na(99m)TcO(4)) radiobiocomplex in rat organs. The animals were treated with a N. membranacea extract (30 mg/ ml), for 6 days. Na(99m)TcO(4) was injected, the organs were isolated and weighed, and the radioactivity was determined in each organ (%ATI/organ). The %ATI/organ was divided by the mass of each organ to calculate the %ATI/g. A significant increase of the %ATI/organ of Na(99m)TcO(4) was observed in muscle and thyroid as well as in the %ATI/g in the heart, kidney and thyroid. These findings could result from the interaction between components of the plant extract and the radiobiocomplex which may influence the uptake Na(99m)TcO(4) in rat organs. Therefore, precaution is suggested in the interpretation of nuclear medicine results in patients using this herb.

Evaluation of body mass index as a prognostic factor in osteoarthrosis of the knee

Objective To evaluate the relationship between patients’ body mass index (BMI) and the degree of radiographic severity of knee osteoarthrosis. Method 117 patients with gonarthrosis were evaluated prospectively. The patients’ BMI was calculated and their knee arthrosis was classified in accordance with the modified Ahlbäck criteria. Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the relationship between these two variables. Results The group classified as Ahlbäck grade V had significantly higher BMI than the others. Conclusion There is a direct relationship between BMI and the degree of radiographic severity of gonarthrosis. Obesity appears to be directly related to the progression of knee osteoarthrosis.

Anthropometric study of the knee and its correlation with the size of three implants available for arthroplasty

Objective To define the anthropometric profile of the knee in a Brazilian population with gonarthrosis using intraoperative measurements; and to evaluate the compatibility of three implants available for total knee arthroplasty. Methods Morphometric data were collected prospectively from 117 subjects with gonarthrosis. Six dimensions in the distal femur and two in the proximal tibia were documented in 118 knees while performing total arthroplasty. These data were compared with the dimensions of three implants available for total knee arthroplasty. Results The statistical analysis showed that more than a quarter of the patients presented an unsatisfactory relationship between the knee and prosthesis. Conclusion The implants evaluated need to be adjusted to better fit Brazilian patients.

Ultrastructural analysis of kidney, liver and duodenum isolated from treated rats with Ginkgo Biloba extract and effects of this medicinal plant on the biodistribution of the padiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) has been used to treat memory and concentration deficits, acts as platelet activating factor antagonism and prevents against damages caused by free radicals. EGb is a standardized extract that contains 24% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible influence of an EGb on the ultrastructure of some organs isolated from rats and on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (99mTcO4Na). The animals were treated with EGb and after six days, received 99mTcO4Na. The organs were isolated and fixed for ultrastructural analysis. The results showed that EGb has modified the ultrastructure of kidney, liver and duodenum and altered the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na (P<0.05). It is speculated that the substances present in the EGb could act directly or generate metabolites capable to promote changes on the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na and on the morphology of organs at ultrastructural level.