Renato Aparecido de Souza

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Low-Level Light Emitting Diode Therapy on Achilles Tendinitis in Rats

The present study investigated the effects of low‐level light emitting diode (LED) therapy (880 ± 10 nm) on inflammatory process in a experimental model of Achilles tendinitis induced by collagenase.

Raman spectroscopy detection of molecular changes associated with two experimental models of osteoarthritis in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying Raman spectroscopy in probing the molecular changes in terms of collagen deposition and tissue remodeling associated with two well-established experimental models of osteoarthritis (OA) in knee of rats. In order to evaluate alterations in the articular surface area, the menisci-covered tibial region was assessed into three groups as follows: control (joint preserved) and two models of experimental knee OA: collagenase-induced model (n = 8) and treadmill exercise-induced model (n = 8). Each group was examined for molecular changes using spectral parameters related to cartilage, subchondral bone, and bone tissues. A significant increase of Raman ratios related to mineralization and tissue remodeling was found (p < 0.05), suggesting that both models were successful for inducing OA in rats. The significantly lower phenylalanine content and higher crystallinity in the treadmill exercise-induced model of OA than collagenase-induced model of OA (p < 0.05) indicated that the OA pathogenesis was model-dependent. Thus, this work suggests that the Raman spectroscopy technique has potential for the diagnosis and detection of cartilage damage and monitoring of subchondral bone and bone in OA pathogenesis at the molecular level.

Influência da suplementação aguda e crônica de creatina sobre as concentrações sanguíneas de glicose e lactato de ratos Wistar

Estudios recientes sugieren que la suplementacion de creatina puede interferir con la captacion de glicosis y la produccion de lactato durante la actividad fisica. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido el de investigar los efectos de la suplementacion aguda (5g.kg1 durante 1 semana) y cronica (1g.kg1 durante 8 semanas) de creatina sobre las concentraciones sanguineas de glicosis y lactato en ratones sedentarios y ejercitados (natacion a 80% de carga maxima tolerada). Setenta y dos ratones Wistar machos (240 ± 10g) fueron utilizados y divididos igualmente en 4 grupos experimentales (n = 18): CON - ratones sedentarios no suplementados; NAT - ratones ejercitados no suplementados; CRE - ratones sedentarios y suplementados; CRE + NAT - ratones ejercitados e suplementados. Las muestras sanguineas se obtuvieron antes y despues del test de determinacion de carga maxima realizado semanalmente durante todo el experimento. Antes del test de carga maxima, con excepcion del grupo CRE-NAT (3-5 semanas) que presento concentraciones plasmaticas de glicosis inferiores en relacion a los demas grupos, los demas resultados fueron semejantes entre los grupos experimentales. Despues del test de carga maxima todos los grupos experimentales presentaron reduccion en las concentraciones plasmaticas de glicosis y aumento en las concentraciones plasmaticas de lactato. A pesar de esto, con respecto a la glicosis, esta reduccion fue significativamente (p < 0.05) pronunciada en los grupos CRE (1-4 semanas) y CRE + NAT (1-8 semanas) y con respecto al lactato, el aumento fue significativamente (p < 0.05) menor en los grupos CRE (1-2 semanas) y CRE + NAT (1-8 semanas). Los resultados encontrados sugieren que el regimen adoptado de suplementacion influencio el perfil metabolico glicemico, minimizo el acumulo de lactato y potencio la maxima carga suportada en los animales suplementados.

Determination of sucrose concentration in lemon-type soft drinks by dispersive Raman spectroscopy

The objective of this study was to quantify the sucrose amount in commercial lemon-type soft drinks through dispersive Raman spectroscopy, comparing the amount listed in the nutritional table of each product to the predicted by a least-square model, in order to obtain a method for quality assurance applied to soft drinks. A dispersive Raman spectrometer was employed using 830 nm laser and imaging spectrograph coupled to a CCD camera, and a total of 48 samples from four brands of lemon-type soft drinks were analyzed. A calibration curve using sucrose from refined sugar (sugarcane) diluted in spring water was elaborated in the range between 0 and 15.0 g/100 ml, and a quantification model based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression was developed to correlate the Raman spectra and the amount of sucrose in each dilution. Then, the sucrose in each soft drink sample was predicted employing the calibration curve. The mean error of calibration for the PLS method was 0.30 g/100 ml (3.0%). Results indicated that soft drinks samples have predicted sugar content ranging from 8.1 to 10.9 g/100 ml, with an error of the predicted value compared to the nutritional table ranged from 1.1% to 5.5%. Therefore, Raman spectroscopy in association with PLS regression was an effective method for quantifying the sucrose, with small prediction error. Thus, the present work allows to infer auspicious possibilities of Raman spectroscopy application in the quantification of relevant nutritional facts in beverages.

Laser therapy in bone repair in rats: analysis of bone optical density

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, by digital radiology, the bone regeneration process in rats submitted to femoral osteotomy and treated with low power laser therapy. METHODS: Forty-five Wistar rats were subjected to transverse osteotomy of the right femur and divided randomly into three experimental groups (n = 15): animals not treated with laser therapy G (C), animals that received laser therapy with λ: 660nm G (660nm) and animals that received laser therapy with λ: 830nm G (830nm). Animals were sacrificed after 7, 14 and 21 days. The bone calluses were evaluated by digital X-ray at 65 kVp, 7mA and 0.032 s exposures. RESULTS: The values obtained were submitted to variance analysis (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey-Kramer test. The significance level adopted was 5%. The groups G (C), G (660nm), and G (830nm) at the 7th day showed a significant bone development, with p <0.0116; the groups G (C), G (660nm), and G (830nm) at the 14th day showed values of p <0.0001; at the 21st day,a higher degree of bone repair were observed in group G (830nm), and G (660nm), with p <0.0169. CONCLUSION: Based on the radiographic findings, G (830nm) showed more complete bone regeneration, as shown in the gray shades of the images. Level of Evidence II, Individual Study With Experimental Design.

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy in an Experimental Model of Osteoarthritis in Rats Evaluated Through Raman Spectroscopy

OBJECTIVE This work aimed to investigate the biochemical changes associated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using 660 and 780 nm, on a well-established experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees of rats with induced collagenase, using histomorphometry and Raman spectroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (GCON, n=9), collagenase without treatment (GCOL, n=9), collagenase with LLLT 660 nm treatment (G660, n=8), and collagenase with LLLT 780 nm treatment (G780, n=10). LLLT protocol was: 30 mW power output, 10 sec irradiation time, 0.04 cm(2) spot size, 0.3 J energy, 0.75 W/cm(2) irradiance, and 7.5 J/cm(2) fluence per session per day, during 14 days. Then, knees were withdrawn and submitted to histomorphometry and Raman spectroscopy analysis. Principal components analysis (PCA) and Mahalanobis distance were employed to characterize the spectral findings. RESULTS Histomorphometry revealed a significant increase in the amount of collagen III for the group irradiated with 660 nm. The Raman bands at 1247, 1273, and 1453 cm(-1) (from principal component score PC2), attributed to collagen type II, and 1460 cm(-1) (from PC3), attributed to collagen type III, suggested that the LLLT causes acceleration in cellular activity, especially on the cells that repair cartilage, accelerating the breakdown of cartilage destroyed by collagenase and stimulating the fibroblast to synthesize repairing collagen III. CONCLUSIONS LLLT accelerated the initial breakdown of cartilage destroyed by collagenase and stimulated the fibroblast to synthesize the repairing collagen III, suggesting a beneficial effect of LLLT on OA.

Effects of Different Swimming Exercise Intensities on Bone Tissue Composition in Mice: A Raman Spectroscopy Study

OBJECTIVE Raman spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the effect of different swimming intensities on femoral bone composition in an animal model. BACKGROUND DATA Intense swimming exercise may affect bone mineralization, and Raman technique has been shown to be effective in evaluating tissue composition (phosphate minerals and carbonate apatites - bands at 960 and 1170 cm(-1), as well as collagen matrix - amide I band at 1660 cm(-1)). MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen female Swiss Webster mice were separated into three groups (n = 6 per group) of sedentary (SED), and swimming with an intensity of 40% (PT-40) and 80% (PT-80) of the maximum load, with 6 weeks of training. Near-infrared Raman spectra (830 nm wavelength and 80 mW laser power) were obtained with a dispersive Raman spectrometer using a CCD camera and imaging spectrograph with 30-s integration time. Spectra were collected in the medial and lateral diaphysis of the femur and principal components analysis (PCA) was employed to extract features of the Raman bands of bone and to perform quantitative analysis. RESULTS PC1 vector resembles Raman spectra and carries information about apatite minerals and some contribution from organic matrix. A statistically significant difference was found in the PC1 scores (ANOVA, p < 0.05), indicating lower mineral concentrations in the femur in both the PT-40 and PT-80 groups compared to the SED group. These results corroborated with the radiographic assessment of bone density. CONCLUSION Raman technique associated with PCA statistics showed that intense swimming exercise may affect bone mineralization and remodeling in a mouse model of training.

Experiência de treinamento com Nintendo Wii sobre a funcionalidade, equilíbrio e qualidade de vida de idosas

Abstract: The aim of this case report was to assess the functionality, balance and quality of life of two non-institutionalized elderly submitted to a training protocol in Virtual Reality. The training protocol consisted of nine sessions with 50 minutes of duration, and three times a week. Games of Wii Fit software and the Balance Board of Nintendo Wii were used for training protocol. The guidelines of health agencies, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), were used to design the training program. The assessment of functionality was performed with Tasks of Physical Fitness for elderly; balance was assessed by Berg scale and quality of life was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. The results indicated improvements in the absolute values of variables assessed. It may be concluded that the Nintendo Wii is a potential tool for training program to improve functional independence of elderly. We hope that this study stimulates researchers to continue investigating the use of

Fourier-Transform Raman Spectroscopy Study of the Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteoporosis~!2009-09-30~!2010-02-11~!2010-03-25~!

The ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis was studied using FT-Raman spectroscopy on the surface of sitespecific bones. Twelve, 3 month old female Wistar rats (230 ± 10 g) were divided into two groups (n = 6 per group), one group was: ovariectomized (OVX) and the other sham-operated (SHAM). The rats were sacrificed to collect samples twelve weeks after the surgical operation. The right femur and tibia as well as the third lumbar vertebra were harvested and subjected to FT-Raman analysis on the following bones sites: femoral neck (FN), femoral mid-shaft (FS), proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM), tibial mid-shaft (TS), and lumbar vertebral body (LVB). Analysis of individual Raman peaks showed site-dependent variations in the bone: the ovariectomy induced lower mineral content (959 cm -1 ) in trabecular bone sites (FN, PTM and LVB) and higher matrix content (1265 and 1665 cm -1 ) in cortical bone sites (FS and TS). In addition, a lower mineral to matrix ratio and a higher carbonate/phosphate were observed in the OVX group, which indicated a change in bone chemical content and some degree of remodeling specially in the trabecular bone sites. These data support the hypothesis that FT-Raman spectroscopy can be used to evaluate the bone alterations induced by this experimental model.

Cardiovascular effects of Zumba(®) performed in a virtual environment using XBOX Kinect.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses during a session of Zumba® Fitness in a virtual reality environment. [Subjects] Eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited. [Methods] The following cardiovascular variables: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and double product were assessed before and after the practice of virtual Zumba®, which was performed as a continuous sequence of five choreographed movements lasting for 22 min. The game Zumba Fitness Core®, with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360, was used to create the virtual environment. Comparisons were made among mean delta values (delta=post-Zumba® minus pre-Zumba® values) for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and double product using Student’s t-test for paired samples. [Results] After a single session, a significant increase was noted in all the analyzed parameters (Systolic blood pressure=18%; Diastolic blood pressure=13%; Heart rate=67%; and Double product=97%). [Conclusion] The results support the feasibility of the use of Zumba Fitness Core® with the Kinect-based virtual reality system for the XBOX 360 in physical activity programs and further favor its indication for this purpose.