Tokio Kinoshita

Exercise Significantly Increases Plasma Adrenaline and Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Normal Healthy Subjects But Not in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVES To compare plasma concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and adrenaline during exercise between persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied (AB) individuals. DESIGN Randomized controlled study. SETTING Human laboratory at a medical university. PARTICIPANTS Persons with SCI (n=7) and AB individuals (n=9). INTERVENTION Two-hour arm crank ergometer exercise at 60% maximum oxygen consumption. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Plasma oxLDL and adrenaline levels. RESULTS Exercise significantly increased plasma adrenaline levels in AB persons (mean ± SD: rest, 45.4±32.2 pg/mL; exercise, 200.9±113.7 pg/mL; P<.05) and persons with SCI; however; the magnitude of the increase in those with SCI was attenuated (mean ± SD: rest, 45.4±14.0 pg/mL; exercise, 83.0±55.8 pg/mL; P<.05). Exercise also significantly increased plasma oxLDL levels in AB persons (mean ± SD: rest, 102.2±30.2 U/L; exercise, 179.7±60.0 U/L; P<.05), but not in persons with SCI (mean ± SD: rest, 124.3±66.0 U/L; exercise, 138.9±59.5 U/L). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that increases in plasma adrenaline levels during exercise contribute to the increase in plasma oxLDL levels.

The role of cardiac sympathetic innervation and skin thermoreceptors on cardiac responses during heat stress

The mechanism(s) for the changes in cardiac function during heat stress remain unknown. This study tested two unique hypotheses. First, sympathetic innervation to the heart is required for increases in cardiac systolic function during heat stress. This was accomplished by comparing responses during heat stress between paraplegics versus tetraplegics, with tetraplegics having reduced/absent cardiac sympathetic innervation. Second, stimulation of skin thermoreceptors contributes to cardiovascular adjustments that occur during heat stress in humans. This was accomplished by comparing responses during leg only heating between paraplegic versus able-bodied individuals. Nine healthy able-bodied, nine paraplegics, and eight tetraplegics participated in this study. Lower body (i.e., nonsensed area for para/tetraplegics) was heated until esophageal temperature had increased by ~1.0°C. Echocardiographic indexes of diastolic and systolic function were performed before and at the end of heat stress. The heat stress increased cardiac output in all groups, but the magnitude of this increase was attenuated in the tetraplegics relative to the able-bodied (1.3 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 1.0 l/min; P < 0.05). Diastolic function was maintained in all groups. Indexes of left atrial and ventricular systolic function were enhanced in the able-bodied, but did not change in tetraplegics, while these changes in paraplegics were attenuated relative to the able-bodied. These data suggest that the cardiac sympathetic innervation is required to achieve normal increases in cardiac systolic function during heat stress but not required to maintain diastolic function during this exposure. Second, elevated systolic function during heat stress primarily occurs as a result of increases in internal temperature, although stimulation of skin thermoreceptors may contribute.

Aerobic Exercise Combined With Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Increases Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Healthy Males

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in enhancing neuronal health. Exercise and noninvasive positive‐pressure ventilation (NPPV) are known to independently alter BDNF levels in patients with depression, dementia, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. However, the combined effects of exercise and NPPV on serum BDNF in normal subjects are unknown.

Head-out immersion in hot water increases serum BDNF in healthy males

Abstract Purpose: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important neurotrophin. The present study investigated the effects of head-out water immersion (HOI) on serum BDNF concentrations. Methods: Eight healthy men performed 20 min head-out water immersion at 42 °C (hot-HOI) and 35 °C (neutral-HOI). These experimental trials were administered in a randomised order separated by at least 7 days. Venous blood samples were withdrawn at rest, immediately after the 20-min HOI, as well as at 15 and 30 min after the end of the HOI. Serum BDNF and S100β, plasma cortisol, platelet and monocyte counts, and core body temperature (Tcb) were measured. Results: Tcb was higher at the end of the hot-HOI and 15 min after hot-HOI (p < 0.01), but recovered to pre-HOI level at 30 min after hot-HOI. No change in Tcb was recorded during neutral-HOI. BDNF level was higher (p < 0.05) at the end of the hot-HOI and at 15 min after the end of hot-HOI, and returned to the baseline at 30 min after hot-HOI. S100β, platelet count and monocyte count remained stable throughout the study. Cortisol level was lower at the end of the hot-HOI and returned to pre-HOI level during the recovery period. BDNF and S100β, cortisol, and platelet and monocyte counts did not change throughout the neutral-HOI study. Conclusions: The present findings suggested that the increase in BDNF during 20-min hot-HOI was induced by hyperthermia through enhanced production, rather than by changes in permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), platelet clotting mechanisms or secretion from monocytes.

Effects of physiatrist and registered therapist operating acute rehabilitation (PROr) in patients with stroke

Objective Clinical evidence suggests that early mobilization of patients with acute stroke improves activity of daily living (ADL). The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of the physiatrist and registered therapist operating acute rehabilitation (PROr) applied early or late after acute stroke. Subjects and methods This study was prospective cohort study, assessment design. Patients with acute stroke (n = 227) admitted between June 2014 and April 2015 were divided into three groups based on the time of start of PROr: within 24 hours (VEM, n = 47), 24–48 hours (EM, n = 77), and more than 48 hours (OM, n = 103) from stroke onset. All groups were assessed for the number of deaths during hospitalization, and changes in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at hospital discharge. Interventions All patients were assessed by physiatrists, who evaluated the specific needs for rehabilitation, and then referred them to registered physical therapists and occupational therapists to provide early mobilization (longer than one hour per day per patient). Results The number of deaths encountered during the PROr period was 13 (out of 227, 5.7%), including 2 (4.3%) in the VEM group. GCS improved significantly during the hospital stay in all three groups, but the improvement on discharge was significantly better in the VEM group compared with the EM and OM groups. FIM improved significantly in the three groups, and the gains in total FIM and motor subscale were significantly greater in the VEM than the other groups. Conclusions PROr seems safe and beneficial rehabilitation to improve ADL in patients with acute stroke.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation enhances the effects of aerobic training on cardiopulmonary function

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aerobic training under noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) on maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max). Methods Ten healthy young male volunteers participated in the study. Before the training, stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were measured in all subjects under 0, 4, 8, and 12 cmH2O NPPV at rest. Then, the subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer at 60% of pre-training V˙O2max for 30 min daily for 5 consecutive days with/without NPPV. The 5-day exercise protocol was repeated after a three-week washout period without/with NPPV. The primary endpoint was changes in V˙O2max. The secondary endpoints were changes in SV, CO, maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximum respiratory rate (RRmax), maximum expiratory minute volume (VEmax) and the percent change in plasma volume (PV). Results NPPV at 12 cmH2O significantly reduced SV and CO at rest. V˙O2max significantly increased after 5 days training with and without NPPV, but the magnitude of increase in V˙O2max after training under 12 cmH2O NPPV was significantly higher than after training without NPPV. VEmax significantly increased after training under NPPV, but not after training without NPPV. HRmax and RRmax did not change during training irrespective of NPPV. The percent change in PV was similar between training with and without NPPV. The 5-day training program with NPPV resulted in greater improvement in V˙O2max than without NPPV. Conclusions Aerobic training under NPPV has add-on effects on V˙O2max and exercise-related health benefits in healthy young men.

Ankle Foot Orthosis Improves Functional Ambulation and Balance inPatients with Peripheral Nerve Palsy

Background: Several studies have examined the benefits of ankle foot orthosis (AFO) in patients with hemiparesis, but little is known about their effects in patients with peripheral nerve palsy. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of AFO on functional ambulation in patients with hemiplegia and unilateral lower-extremity palsy. Subjects and methods: This study design was Case control study in rehabilitation units of five hospitals in Japan. The study subjects were 50 normal subjects (control), 49 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis (PSH), and 13 with lower extremity palsy (LEP) due to peripheral nerve palsy. Functional ambulation was assessed with AFO and without AFO by 10-meter maximum walking speed (10 MMWS) and the distance walked in a 6-minute walking test (6 MWT). Functional balance was assessed using the Berg balance scale. Results: The 10 MMWS test showed significantly lower walking speed in PSH and LEP without AFO compared with the control group, and that the speed was faster in the two patient groups with AFO than without AFO. The distance walked during the 6 MWT was significantly shorter in PSH and LEP than the control, but it increased significantly in both groups after wearing the AFO. Furthermore, the significant difference between the control and LEP groups disappeared after wearing the AFO. The Berg balance scale was significantly lower in PSH and LEP groups compared with the control group, but improved significantly with AFO. Conclusion: The results suggest that AFO is beneficial for patients with PSH and those with LEP through improvement of walking distance, walking speed, and functional balance. Many physicians and technicians often avoid the use AFO. However, AFO improved not only walking ability but also functional balance in both groups of patients. Physicians and technicians are encouraged to consider the use of AFO in LEP.