Severo de Paoli

Effect of laser therapy on DNA damage

Whereas the biostimulative effect on tissues using low intensity laser therapy for treating many diseases has been described, the photobiological basis and adverse effects are not well understood. The aim of this study, using experimental models, is to observe the combined effect of physical damage (laser) and a chemical agent (hydrogen peroxide) on Escherichia coli cultures and bacterial plasmids.

Laser for treatment of aphthous ulcers on bacteria cultures and DNA

Low-intensity red lasers are proposed for treatment of oral aphthous ulcers based on biostimulative effects. However, effects of low-intensity lasers at fluences used in clinical protocols on DNA are controversial. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of low-intensity red laser on survival and induction of filamentation of Escherichia coli cells, and induction of DNA lesions in bacterial plasmids. Escherichia coli cultures were exposed to laser (660 nm, 100 mW, 25 and 45 J cm(-2)) to study bacterial survival and filamentation. Also, bacterial plasmids were exposed to laser to study DNA lesions by electrophoretic profile and action of DNA repair enzymes. Data indicate that low-intensity red laser: (i) had no effect on survival of E. coli wild type, exonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase/MutM protein but decreased the survival of endonuclease III deficient cultures; (ii) induced bacterial filamentation, (iii) there was no alteration in the electrophoretic profile of plasmids in agarose gels, (iv) there was no alteration in the electrophoretic profile of plasmids incubated with formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase/MutM protein and endonuclease III enzymes, but it altered the electrophoretic profile of plasmids incubated with exonuclease III. Low-intensity red laser at therapeutic fluences has an effect on the survival of E. coli endonuclease III deficient cells, induces bacterial filamentation in E. coli cultures and DNA lesions targeted by exonuclease III.

Effects of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) extract on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the second most produced and consumed vegetable in the world. It has been indicated in the prevention and treatment of cancer, asthma and atherosclerosis. Blood constituents labeled with radionuclides have been used in procedures in nuclear medicine. Data have shown that food and drugs can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc). This study evaluated the influence of a tomato extract on this radiolabeling procedure. Heparinized blood (Wistar rats) was incubated in vitro with different concentrations of a tomato extract and 99mTc-labeling was performed. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were separated following soluble (SF-P/SF-BC) and insoluble (IF-P/IF-BC) fractions isolation by precipitation and centrifugation. The radioactivities on blood constituents (P, BC, IF-P, SF-P, IF-BC and SF-BC) were determined and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) was calculated. The tomato extract used at the highest concentrations (2.00 and 4.00g/mL), reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the %ATI in IF-P, although this extract did not modify the radiolabeling on BC, neither the radioactivity fixation on IF-BC. In conclusion, our data suggest that the chemical compounds present in the aqueous tomato extract could have some properties capable of change the fixation of 99mTc on plasma proteins.

Effects of clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus L.) on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m and on the morphology of red blood cells

Clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus L.) has been used for clinical procedures. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used in nuclear medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of clove extract on the labeling blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphology of red blood cells. Blood samples were incubated with clove, stannous chloride and 99mTc. Plasma, blood cells, insoluble fractions of plasma and blood cells were separated. The radioactivity was counted and percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) to each blood fraction was calculated. The shape and morphometric parameter (perimeter/area ratio) were evaluated. Clove extract altered significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI of blood constituents and the shape of red blood cells without modifying the perimeter/area ratio. The results indicate that clove extract presents chemical compounds that interfere with the radiolabeling of blood constituents and alter the morphology of red blood cells by oxidative/chelating actions or interacting with the cellular membrane structure.

Effects of Chrysobalanus icaco on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m and on the shape of the red blood cells

Chrysobalanus icaco (abajeru; C.icaco) is recommended in the treatment of diabetes and other clinical disorders. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used in nuclear medicine. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of an abajeru extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and on the shape of red blood cells (RBC). Blood samples(Wistar rats) were incubated with abajeru extract and the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and morphology of RBC were carried out. The results showed significant (P<0.05) alteration of labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and the morphometry (perimeter/area ratio) of the RBC in presence of the extract. These data suggest that this abajeru extract could alter the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc by its chelating/antioxidant action and/or effects on membrane structures involved in the ion transport.

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION EXERCISES ON BLOOD FLOW KINETICS OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH A SUITABLE APPROACH

Background: The ability to control skin blood flow decreases with advancing age and some clinical disorders, as in diabetes and in rheumatologic diseases. Feasible clinical strategies such as whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) are being used without a clear understanding of its effects. The aim of the present study is to review the effects of the WBVE on blood flow kinetics and its feasibility in different populations. Material and Methods: The level of evidence (LE) of selected papers in PubMed and/or PEDRo databases was determined. We selected randomized, controlled trials in English to be evaluated. Results: Six studies had LE II, one had LE III-2 and one III-3 according to the NHMRC. A great variability among the protocols was observed but also in the assessment devices; therefore, more research about this topic is warranted. Conclusion: Despite the limitations, it is can be concluded that the use of WBVE has proven to be a safe and useful strategy to improve blood flow. However, more studies with greater methodological quality are needed to clearly define the more suitable protocols.

An extract of a formula used in the traditional chinese medicine (Buzhong Yi Qi Wan) alters the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

Buzhong Yi Qi Wan (Buzhong) is a medicinal herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat the digestive and circulatory systems. Red blood cell and plasma proteins labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used in nuclear medicine. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of an aqueous Buzhong extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. Heparinized blood (Wistar rats) was incubated in vitro with different Buzhong extract concentrations and 99mTc-labeling was performed. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were separated and soluble (SF-P, SF-BC) and insoluble (IF-P, IF-BC) fractions were isolated. The radioactivity on blood constituents was determined and the percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) was calculated. Buzhong extract at the highest concentrations used altered significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI in blood constituents. Substances present in the Buzhong extract could alter the cellular membrane and/or generation of free radicals that have oxidant properties modifying the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc.

On the Interconnectedness of Meridian System and Zang-Fu: A Comparative Review and Its Implications

In recent decades, the interest in complementary and alternative medicine has stimulated research in various methodologies and approaches worldwide. Among them, acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been studied by many researchers as a very efficacious and economic treatment procedure. According to the fundamental theory of TCM, acupuncture efficacy depends heavily on the premise that diseases of visceral organs can be cured via puncturing their corresponding meridians. It is believed that the normal flow of Qi and Xue to Zang- Fu (visceral organs) can be thus restored. Hence, validating the interconnectedness of Zang-Fu and meridian system is of paramount importance in clinical practice. In this review article, radiopharmaceuticals that have been used in nuclear medicine to evaluate the functions of organs are examined at first. Then, variations on the uptake of radiopharmaceuticals in different visceral organs of Wistar rats after acupuncture stimulation of different meridians are compared. Trying to decipher their interconnectedness, bioavailability results of radiopharmaceuticals in combination with the modern conceptualizations of meridian system and Five-Phase theory are invoked. Finally, implications in acupuncture therapeutics and the physiology of internal organs based on the aforementioned results are conjectured. This review, hopefully, will spark more research on using acupuncture as an integrative approach in studying physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of visceral organs.

Radiotherapy, cancer and some anatomical structures related with the pelvic floor: an evaluation of the scientific literature

Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other types of ionizing radiation to try to kill the cancer cells in various organs/tissues. PubMed is a database used as a tool in various publications. The aim of this work was to evaluate, in the PubMed, the number of publications (NP) in radiotherapy and cancer in various organs related to the pelvic floor as well as brachytherapy. The searches were performed (August 2008) in the PubMed (http://www.pubmed.com) using the words: (i) radiotherapy (RT) or cancer (CA), (ii) RT and CA, (iii) RT and CA and prostate, RT and CA and testis, RT and CA and breast, RT and CA and kidneys, RT and CA and vulva, RT and CA and vagina, RT and CA and penis, RT and CA and uterus, RT and CA and ovary, RT and CA and bladder, and RT and CA and urethra. A search using brachytherapy was also performed. The NP in each subject was determined and was 2178635 to CA and about 9% of them are related with RT. The NP in RT and CA and breast or prostate is bigger than for the other organs, whereas brachytherapy is mainly cited in the studies about CA of prostate, bladder and breast. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the importance of radiation therapy studies in the cancer of several organs. This information is crucial in understanding the field and demonstrates areas of significant progress or existing gaps of research in radiotherapy treatment of various cancers of the pelvis. Furthermore, it could significantly aid the interprofessional team in the determination of actions related to the treatment of patients that are undertaking radiotherapy, due to the possible complications of this modality of treatment.