Camila Mayumi Martin Kakihata

Comparison of low level laser, ultrasonic therapy and association in joint pain in Wistar rats

INTRODUCTION Both therapeutic ultrasound as a low level laser therapy are used to control musculoskeletal pain, despite controversy about its effects, yet the literature is poor and also presents conflicting results on possible cumulative effects of techniques association. The aim was to compare the antinociceptive effects of low level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and the association. METHODS 24 Wistar rats were divided into: GPL--induction of hyperesthesia in the right knee, and untreated; GUS--treated with therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz, 0.4 W/cm2) GL--low intensity laser (830 nm, 8 J/cm2); GL+US--treated with both techniques. To produce the hyperesthesia 100 μl of 5% formalin solution were injected into the tibiofemoral joint space, which was assessed by von Frey filament digital before (EV1), 15 (EV2), 30 (EV3) and 60 (EV4) minutes after induction. RESULTS In comparison within groups, for the withdrawal threshold when the fi lament was applied to the knee, the back to baseline was observed only for GUS. Comparisons between groups were not different in EV3, and GL was higher than GPL. In EV4 the three groups effectively treated were higher than placebo. On withdrawal threshold on the plantar surface, GL showed return to baseline values already in EV3, and GUS and GL+US returned in EV4. Comparing the groups in EV3 there was a significantly lower threshold to compare GPL with GL and GUS (p <0.05), and there was only EV4 differences when comparing GPL with GUS. CONCLUSION Both modalities showed antinociceptive effects.

Influence of low-level laser therapy on vertical jump in sedentary individuals

Objective To investigate the effects of low intensity laser (660nm), on the surae triceps muscle fatigue and power, during vertical jump in sedentary individuals, in addition to delayed onset muscle soreness. Methods We included 22 sedentary volunteers in the study, who were divided into three groups: G1 (n=8) without performing low intensity laser (control); G2 (n=7) subjected to 6 days of low intensity laser applications; and G3 (n=7) subjected to 10 days of low intensity laser applications. All subjects were evaluated by means of six evaluations of vertical jumps lasting 60 seconds each. In G2 and G3, laser applications in eight points, uniformly distributed directly to the skin in the region of the triceps surae were performed. Another variable analyzed was the delayed onset muscle soreness using the Visual Analog Scale of Pain. Results There was no significant difference in fatigue and mechanical power. In the evaluation of delayed onset muscle soreness, there was significant difference, being the first evaluation higher than the others. Conclusion The low intensity laser on the triceps surae, in sedentary individuals, had no significant effects on the variables evaluated.

Therapeutic ultrasound after sciatic nerve compression of Wistar rats

Abstract Objectives: The present study analyzed the effect of therapy with therapeutic ultrasound on the sciatic nerve after compression injury, comparing two similar doses of SATA. Methods: In total, 32 Wistar rats were used, divided into the following groups: CG — control; IG — compression injury of the sciatic nerve; IGCU — injury and continuous ultrasound; and IGPU — injury and 20% pulsed ultrasound. The treatment with ultrasound started on the 3rd postoperative day, with a frequency of 1 MHz, 0.4 W/cm² (SATA) for IGCU. IGPU received 2.0 W/cm2 (SATP), with 20% of the active cycle, for 3 minutes. The treatment was performed on a daily basis, totaling 15 days of therapy. Evaluations were performed for functional, histological, and morphometric forms. Results: Both the Sciatic Functional Index and the withdrawal threshold and grip strength failed to show an advantage of using therapeutic ultrasound. For the morphometric evaluations of nerve fiber diameter and axons, myelin sheath thickness, and G quotient and nerve fiber estimates, IGPU values were estimated to be significantly lower. The morphological analysis revealed intense inflammatory response and neovascularization, as well as degeneration of axons and the myelin sheath, for the injury group and IGCU; however, IGPU showed greater tissue disorganization. Conclusion: There were no significant differences, showing functional or nocicepitive recovery of the treated groups, including with characteristics pointing to the pulsed group with worse results.

Avaliação da força de preensão em ratos Wistar, normais e obesos, submetidos à natação com sobrecarga após compressão do nervo mediano

OBJECTIVE To verify the functionality through muscle grip strength in animals with obesity induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) and in control animals, which suffered compression of the right median nerve, and treated with swimming with overload. METHODS During the first five days of life, neonatal Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of MSG. The control group received a hypertonic saline solution. Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups: G1 (control); G2 (control + injury); G3 (control + injury + swimming); G4 (obese); G5 (obese + injury); G6 (obese + injury + swimming). The animals in groups G2, G3, G5 and G6 were submitted to compression of the median nerve and G3 and G6 groups were treated, after injury, with swimming exercise with load for three weeks. The swimming exercise had a progressive duration, according to the week, of 20, 30 and 40minutes. Muscle strength was assessed using a grip strength meter preoperatively and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after surgery. The results were expressed and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS When the grip strength was compared among assessments regardless of group, in the second assessment the animals exhibited lower grip strength. G1 and G4 groups had greater grip strength, compared to G2, G3, G4 and G6. CONCLUSION The swimming exercise with overload has not been effective in promoting improvement in muscle grip strength after compression injury of the right median nerve in control and in obese-MSG rats.

Evaluation of nociception and edema in experimental sciatic nerve compression model in Wistar rats treated with cryotherapy

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Considerando a carencia de estudos a respeito da crioterapia como tratamento de lesao nervosa periferica, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a nocicepcao e o edema em modelo experimental de compressao do nervo isquiatico em ratos Wistar, tratados com crioterapia. METODOS: Foram utilizados 42 ratos separados aleatoriamente nos grupos: G1 - controle, eutanasiado no 15o de pos-operatorio; G2, G3 e G4 - submetidos a compressao do nervo isquiatico, eutanasiados no 3o, 8o e 15o de pos-operatorio, respectivamente; G5, G6 e G7 - submetidos a compressao do nervo isquiatico e tratados com crioterapia, eutanasiados no 3o, 8o e 15o de pos-operatorio, respectivamente. As avaliacoes da nocicepcao no local da lesao e na regiao plantar, e a verificacao do edema aconteceram nos momentos pre-lesao, 2o dia de pos-operatorio e no dia correspondente a eutanasia de cada grupo lesionado. A analise estatistica foi pela ANOVA mista, com nivel de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: No local da lesao houve diminuicao do limiar doloroso nos grupos lesionados, entretanto, apresentou aumento do mesmo nos grupos relacionados as avaliacoes do 8o e 15o de pos-operatorio. Ja a nocicepcao realizada na regiao plantar foi semelhante a anterior, porem o limar nao aumentou. Com relacao ao edema, houve diferenca significativa na avaliacao realizada no 3o e no 2o dias de pos-operatorio correspondentes ao G1, G4 e G7, que apresentaram valores maiores comparadas com a pre-lesao. CONCLUSAO: A crioterapia nao auxiliou no aumento do limiar nociceptivo e reducao de edema.

Avaliação nociceptiva da associação entre exercício físico e fibrina rica em plaquetas em ratos Wistar submetidos ao modelo de compressão de nervo mediano

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich fibrin is a new and promising technique to accelerate repair, with possible analgesic effects; however, there is still a gap with regard to peripheral nerve injury and the association with physical exercises. So, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin associated to physical exercises on nociception and edema in experimental median nerve compression model. METHODS: Thirty-six rats, all submitted to median nerve compression, were divided in six groups: G1: without additional manipulation; G2: compression and treated with platelet-rich fibrin; G3: compression and treated with free swimming; G4: compression and walking on a treadmill; G5: free swimming + platelet-rich fibrin; G6: walking on a treadmill + platelet-rich fibrin. Injury was induced by tying the median nerve with chrome plated catgut 4.0. Platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging 1.5 mL of blood and positioning the fibrin clot directly on the compression region. Exercises were carried out during two weeks, between the 3rd and 14th postoperative days. Nociception and edema were evaluated, respectively, by flinch threshold and plethysmometer, in moments before injury and in the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days. RESULTS: There have been no differences among groups, only among evaluations, showing increased nociception and edema, which has lasted or improved, respectively, over time. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin alone or associated to physical exercises has not changed nociception and edema.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich fibrin is a new and promising technique to accelerate repair, with possible analgesic effects; however, there is still a gap with regard to peripheral nerve injury and the association with physical exercises. So, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin associated to physical exercises on nociception and edema in experimental median nerve compression model. METHODS: Thirty-six rats, all submitted to median nerve compression, were divided in six groups: G1: without additional manipulation; G2: compression and treated with platelet-rich fibrin; G3: compression and treated with free swimming; G4: compression and walking on a treadmill; G5: free swimming + platelet-rich fibrin; G6: walking on a treadmill + platelet-rich fibrin. Injury was induced by tying the median nerve with chrome plated catgut 4.0. Platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging 1.5 mL of blood and positioning the fibrin clot directly on the compression region. Exercises were carried out during two weeks, between the 3rd and 14th postoperative days. Nociception and edema were evaluated, respectively, by flinch threshold and plethysmometer, in moments before injury and in the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days. RESULTS: There have been no differences among groups, only among evaluations, showing increased nociception and edema, which has lasted or improved, respectively, over time. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin alone or associated to physical exercises has not changed nociception and edema.

The morphological and functional effects of exercise in the aquatic environment, performed before and/or after sciatic nerve compression in Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise in the aquatic environment, performed before and/or after sciatic nerve compression in Wistar rats on morphological and functional parameters. Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control (C), lesion (L), trained+lesion (TL), lesion+exercise (LE), and training+lesion+exercise (TLE), who underwent right sciatic nerve compression on day 21 of the experiment. The TL and TLE groups were submitted to a jumping exercise in a water environment for 20 days prior to injury and the LE and TLE groups after injury. The functional analysis was carried out using the sciatic functional index (SFI). On the last day of the experiment, the right sciatic nerves were collected, processed and analysed according to morphology and morphometry. The C group showed higher SFI in relation to the other groups. In the morphometric analysis, in comparison to C, all groups showed a decrease in the diameter of the injured nerve fibre, the myelin sheath and an increase in the percentage of connective tissue. There was a decrease in axon diameter in L, TL, and LE groups and a decrease in the density of nerve fibres in the TL and LE groups. The exercise did not affect functional recovery. However, the exercise prior to the injury improved morphology of the nervous tissue, and when performed pre- and postinjury, there was also an improvement in nerve regeneration, but this was not the case with exercise performed after the injury demonstrating worse results.

Swimming does not alter nociception threshold in obese rats submitted to median nerve compression

Objectives: We, herein, analyzed the effect of swimming on nociception threshold and peripheral nerve regeneration in lean and obese rats submitted to median nerve compression. Methods: To induce obesity, newborn male Wistar rats received injections of monosodium glutamate (MSG), whereas the control (CTL) group received saline. The animals were separated into 6 groups; control and obese (CTL and MSG), control and obese with lesion (CTL LES and MSG LES), and control and obese with lesion submitted to physical exercise (CTL LES PE and MSG LES PE). Results: Median nerve compression reduced nociception threshold in CTL LES and MSG LES rats. Swimming effectively altered nociception only in CTL LES PE animals. Lean and obese animals displayed histological differences, when compared to sedentary animals, and exercise improved axon regeneration in both groups. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor and GAP 43 protein expression was greater in animals submitted to nervous compression without alteration by exercise. Discussion: In conclusion, swimming, a conservative treatment for peripheral nerve lesions, was not able to improve the nociception threshold in obese rats.