Rainer Brenke

Pathological aspects of lipid peroxidation.

Abstract Lipid peroxidation (LPO) product accumulation in human tissues is a major cause of tissular and cellular dysfunction that plays a major role in ageing and most age-related and oxidative stress-related diseases. The current evidence for the implication of LPO in pathological processes is discussed in this review. New data and literature review are provided evaluating the role of LPO in the pathophysiology of ageing and classically oxidative stress-linked diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and atherosclerosis (the main cause of cardiovascular complications). Striking evidences implicating LPO in foetal vascular dysfunction occurring in pre-eclampsia, in renal and liver diseases, as well as their role as cause and consequence to cancer development are addressed.

Improvement in Skin Elasticity in the Treatment of Cellulite and Connective Tissue Weakness by Means of Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy

BACKGROUND Extracorporeal pulse activation therapy (EPAT), also called extracorporeal acoustic wave therapy, seeks to achieve effective and long-lasting improvement of age-related connective tissue weakness in the extremities, especially in the treatment of unsightly cosmetic skin defects referred to as cellulite. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to stimulate metabolic activity in subcutaneous fat tissue by means of EPAT in order evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing connective tissue firmness and improving skin texture and structure. METHODS Fifty-nine women with advanced cellulite were divided into 2 groups; one group of 15 patients received planar acoustic wave treatment for 6 therapy sessions within 3 weeks; a second group of 44 patients received 8 therapy sessions within 4 weeks. Changes in connective tissue were evaluated using the DermaScan C ultrasound system (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark). Skin elasticity measurements were performed using the DermaLab system (Cortex Technology). Photographs of treated areas were taken at each therapy session and at follow-up sessions. RESULTS Skin elasticity values gradually improved over the course of EPAT therapy and revealed a 73% increase at the end of therapy. At 3- and 6-month follow-ups, skin elasticity had even improved by 95% and 105%, respectively. Side effects included minor pain for 3 patients during therapy and slight skin reddening. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the effects of acoustic wave therapy on biologic tissue, including stimulation of microcirculation and improvement of cell permeability. Ultrasound evaluation demonstrated increased density and firmness in the network of collagen/elastic fibers in the dermis and subcutis. Treatment was most effective in older patients with a long history of cellulite.

Uric acid and glutathione levels during short-term whole body cold exposure.

Ten healthy subjects who swim regularly in ice-cold water during the winter (winter swimming), were evaluated before and after this short-term whole body exposure. A drastic decrease in plasma uric acid concentration was observed during and following the exposure to the cold stimulus. We hypothesize that the uric acid decrease can be caused by its consumption after formation of oxygen radicals. In addition, the erythrocytic level of oxidized glutathione and the ratio of oxidized glutathione/total glutathione also increased following cold exposure, which supports this hypothesis. Furthermore, the baseline concentration of reduced glutathione was increased and the concentration of oxidized glutathione was decreased in the erythrocytes of winter swimmers as compared to those of nonwinter swimmers. This can be viewed as an adaptation to repeated oxidative stress, and is postulated as mechanism for body hardening. Hardening is the exposure to a natural, e.g., thermal stimulus, resulting in an increased tolerance to stress, e.g., diseases. Exposure to repeated intensive short-term cold stimuli is often applied in hydrotherapy, which is used in physical medicine for hardening.

Reduktion prooxidativer und Stärkung antioxidativer Prozesse - ein verbindendes Element der Kneipp'schen Therapie

Die Kneippschen Therapieverfahren und damit zentrale Inhalte der klassischen Naturheilverfahren zeichnen sich durch ein breites Wirkungsspektrum aus. Es ist naheliegend, dass diesen Verfahren auch gemeinsame Wirkungsmechanismen auf der Basis ubiquitärer Substanzen und Reaktionsmechanismen zugrunde liegen. Hier wurden die Wirkungen von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies (ROS), von Lipid peroxidations(LPO)-Produkten und von antioxidativen Schutzmechanismen untersucht. Die Bilanz von prooxidativen und antioxidativen Prozessen, die das Mass für einen oxidativen Stress angibt, hat eine immense Auswirkung auf Gesundheit, Krankheit, Wohlbefinden und Leistungsfähigkeit. Die Übersicht über Resultate zu allen fünf Säulen der Kneipp-Therapie - Hydrotherapie, Phytotherapie, Ernährungstherapie, Bewegungstherapie und Ordnungstherapie - liefert klare Hinweise auf die bessere Bewältigung von oxidativem Stress durch die Kneippschen Therapieformen. Es wird deutlich aufgezeigt, dass eine verminderte Bildung freier Radikale und/oder deren bessere Bewältigung ein verbindendes Element der klassischen Naturheilverfahren ist.

25 Jahre Schweizerische zeitschrift für Ganzheitsmedizin

Zehn Jahre Pharmamarketing waren off ensichtlich genug – und so brachte mich das Schicksal im Jahr 1985 in Zürich mit dem mittlerweile verstorbenen Gründer der Padma AG für tibetische Heilmittel, Herrn Karl Lutz, zusammen; er hat mein Interesse für die Tibetische Medizin und damit für die Komplementärmedizin geweckt. Im Rahmen einer umfangreichen Marktanalyse, die ich seinerzeit für die Padma AG erstellt habe, wurde in mir der Gedanke der Notwendigkeit einer damals nicht existierenden komplementärmedizinisch orientierten Fachzeitschrift für Ärzte und Apotheker der Schweiz wach. Die Akzeptanz komplementärmedizinischer Methoden in der Schweizer Ärzteschaft war zu dieser Zeit sehr gering. Die wenigen komplementärmedizinisch tätigen Ärzte hatten sich in kleinen Gruppen zu «Ärztegesellschaften» zusammengeschlossen und traten in der Öff entlichkeit kaum in Erscheinung.

Gute Aussichten für die Ganzheitsmedizin

Die Entscheidung des Souveräns für die Komplementärmedizin hat ihr endgültig zum Durchbruch verholfen. Sie wird zur etablierten Ergänzung der Schulmedizin - die Politik in Bern setzt darauf. Der Lobbyist für Komplementärmedizin Walter Stüdeli sieht die Weichen richtig gestellt.