Washington Luiz Silva Gonçalves

Influence of He-Ne laser therapy on the dynamics of wound healing in mice treated with anti-inflammatory drugs

We determined the effects of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation on wound healing dynamics in mice treated with steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Male albino mice, 28-32 g, were randomized into 6 groups of 6 animals each: control (C), He-Ne laser (L), dexamethasone (D), D + L, celecoxib (X), and X + L. D and X were injected im at doses of 5 and 22 mg/kg, respectively, 24 h before the experiment. A 1-cm long surgical wound was made with a scalpel on the abdomens of the mice. Animals from groups L, D + L and X + L were exposed to 4 J (cm(2))-1 day-1 of He-Ne laser for 12 s and were sacrificed on days 1, 2, or 3 after the procedure, when skin samples were taken for histological examination. A significant increase of collagen synthesis was observed in group L compared with C (168 +/- 20 vs 63 +/- 8 mm(2)). The basal cellularity values on day 1 were: C = 763 +/- 47, L = 1116 +/- 85, D = 376 +/- 24, D + L = 698 +/- 31, X = 453 +/- 29, X + L = 639 +/- 32 U/mm(2). These data show that application of L increases while D and X decrease the inflammatory cellularity compared with C. They also show that L restores the diminished cellularity induced by the anti-inflammatory drugs. We suggest that He-Ne laser promotes collagen formation and restores the baseline cellularity after pharmacological inhibition, indicating new perspectives for laser therapy aiming to increase the healing process when anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

Tributyltin impairs the coronary vasodilation induced by 17β-estradiol in isolated rat heart.

Triorganotins, such as tributyltin (TBT), are environmental contaminants that are commonly used as antifouling agents for boats. However, TBT is also known to alter mammalian reproductive functions. Although the female sex hormones are primarily involved in the regulation of reproductive functions, 17β-estradiol also protects against cardiovascular diseases, in that this hormone reduces the incidence of coronary artery disease via coronary vasodilation. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of 100 ng/kg TBT administered daily by oral gavage for 15 d on coronary functions in female Wistar rats. Findings were correlated with changes in sex steroids concentrations. Tributyltin significantly increased the baseline coronary perfusion pressure and impaired vasodilation induced by 17β-estradiol. In addition, TBT markedly decreased serum 17β-estradiol levels accompanied by a significant rise in serum progesterone levels. Tributyltin elevated collagen deposition in the heart interstitium and number of mast cells proximate to the cardiac vessels. There was a positive correlation between the increase in coronary perfusion pressure and incidence of cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, TBT induced endothelium denudation (scanning electron microscopy) and accumulation of platelets. Moreover, TBT impaired coronary vascular reactivity to estradiol (at least in part), resulting in endothelial denudation, enhanced collagen deposition and elevated number of mast cells. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that TBT exposure may be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disorders in rats.

Uso combinado da laserterapia de baixa potência e da inibição da ciclooxigenase-2 na reepitelização de ferida incisional em pele de camundongos: um estudo pré-clínico

BACKGROUND Low level laser therapy and cyclooxygenase-2 (ICOX2) selective inhibitors have been widely used to modulate inflammatory response; however, their effect on wound reepithelialization are not well understood. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the isolated and combined effects of low level laser therapy and ICOX2 in the reepithelization of skin incisional wounds in mice. METHODS We induced a 1-cm wound on the back of each mouse, which were divided into four groups (N = 20): control, laser therapy, treated with celecoxib and combined therapy. The animals in the celecoxib and combined therapy groups were treated with celecoxib for 10 days before skin incision. The experimental wounds were irradiated with He-Ne low power laser (632nm, dose: 4J/cm2) in scanning for 12 seconds during three consecutive days in the laser therapy and combined therapy groups. The animals were sacrificed 3 days after surgery. Samples of the wounds were collected and stained (Massons Trichrome) for histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS Both the laser therapy group and the celecoxib group showed an increase in skin reepithelialization compared to the control group; however, the combined therapy group showed no differences. As for keratinization, the laser therapy and combined therapy groups showed a reduction in keratinocytes compared with the control group. CONCLUSION The results show that the use of low level laser therapy and ICOX2 in isolation increases epithelial cells, but only low level laser therapy reduced skin keratinocytes. The combined treatment restores innate epithelialization and decreases keratinization in spite of accelerating wound contraction with improvement in the organization of the wound in the skin of mice.

Sex differences in the coronary vasodilation induced by 17 β-oestradiol in the isolated perfused heart from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Aim:  The relaxation induced by oestrogen in the coronary vascular bed from normotensive rats has been well described. However, almost nothing is known about this action in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We investigated the effect of 17 β‐oestradiol (E2) in coronary arteries from SHR as well as the contribution of the endothelium and the vascular smooth muscle to this action.

Efeitos agudos do alongamento estático no desempenho da força dinâmica em homens jovens

BACKGROUND: Muscular stretching is frequently used in sports practice with the aim to increase muscular flexibility and joint range of motion as well as to reduce injury risks and to improve athletic performance. AIM: To analyze the acute effect of stretching with different times in the dynamic strength performance of lower and upper extremities in young men. METHODS: The sample was composed by 14 healthy male volunteers aged 23 ± 2 years, weight of 84 ± 10 Kg , height of 178 ± 7 cm, BMI of 26 ± 2 Kg/m2 and body fat of 11 ± 3 %. They were evaluated in a 10-maximum repetition test (10-RM) in three situations: no stretching (NS); after an 8-minute session of static stretching followed by specific warm-up (SS-8); and after 16-minute and specific warm-up before 10 RM test (SS-16). Tests were performed in bench press and 45o leg press exercises, and stretching was selected as to reach the musculature required in these exercises. RESULTS: There was significant reduction (p<0.001) of dynamic muscular strength of upper extremities in comparison to NS with SS-16 (9.2%) and between SS-8 (4.2%) and SS-16 (14.3%) to lower extremities. This difference was found in all tested conditions. CONCLUSION: Static stretching sessions before activities involving dynamic strength are able to negatively change performance in longer stretching periods.

Involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide in the reduction of arterial pressure induced by swimming but not by running training in hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study was to compare, under resting conditions, the influence of chronic training in swimming or running on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in this response. Two-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into three groups-sedentary (SD), swimming (SW) and running (RN)-and were trained for eight weeks under regimens of similar intensities. Atria tissue and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. ANP mRNA levels in the right and left atria as well as the natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR), NPR-A and NPR-C, mRNA levels in the kidney were determined by real-time PCR. Autoradiography was used to quantify NPR-A and NPR-C in mesenteric adipose tissue. Both training modalities, swimming and running, reduced the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of SHR. Swimming, but not running, training increased plasma levels of ANP compared to the sedentary group (P<0.05). Expression of ANP mRNA in the left atrium was reduced in the RN compared to the SD group (P<0.05). Expression of NPR-A and NPR-C in the kidneys of the SW group decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared to the SD group. Although swimming increased (125)I-ANP binding to mesenteric adipose tissue, displacement by c-ANF was reduced, indicating a reduction of NPR-C. These results suggest that the MAP reduction induced by exercise in SHR differs in its mechanisms between the training modalities, as evidenced by the finding that increased levels of ANP were only observed after the swimming regimen.

High-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain and cardio-respiratory parameters in an animal model of acute pain: Participation of peripheral serotonin

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (HF-TENS) in antihyperalgesia, assessed through changes of sciatic nerve activity and its effects on cardiorespiratory parameters, using formalin-induced nociception in anesthetized rats. The animals were divided into formalin (FORM) and HF-TENS groups. All rats received injections of 5% formalin (50 μl, right hind-paw). The sciatic nerve activity and cardiopulmonary parameters (mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and respiratory frequency) were measured, and then the serum levels of serotonin (5-HT) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The formalin injection was able to increase the sciatic nerve activity, heart rate, and respiratory frequency. The treatment with HF-TENS significantly reduced the sciatic nerve activity and respiratory frequency 20 minutes after formalin injection and was able to increase serum 5-HT. Furthermore, when comparing the groups, reductions in the mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory frequency, and sciatic nerve activity were shown at different times. Thus, we concluded that HF-TENS was capable of inducing analgesia, which was most likely related to increased serotonin release. Moreover, we demonstrated that TENS was able to block the adverse cardiovascular and respiratory changes induced by pain. Further neurophysiological studies are necessary to clarify the intrinsic mechanisms underlying HF-TENS-induced analgesia.

Utilização da terapia ultra-sônica de baixa intensidade na redução da lipodistrofia ginecóide: uma terapia segura ou risco cardiovascular transitório? Um estudo pré-clínico

BACKGROUND: The ultrasound (US) diffusion as therapeutical methods, has corroborated the profile of security observed in the medicine practice, however, not always it has been based in systematic studies, suggesting measured caution and improvement in application on this technique. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential risk of the use low intensity ultrasound (3MHz) in the gynecoid lipodystrofy (cellulite) treatment and in the cardiovascular system implications. METHODS: Female rats (Wistar) were divided in 02 groups: Control-Sham and Ultrasound Therapy (UST). After induced anesthesia with halotano, the rats had been submitted to UST pulse way, with power 1,0W/cm2 and 3 MHz frequency in the inguinal region (3cm2), during 03 min. per 10 days. At the treatment end, after anesthesia with Chloral 10% (0,4mL / 100g) a catheter made of PE-50 tubing connected to PE-10 tubing was implanted in the femoral artery, the blood pressure (BP) and hart rate (HR) was measured; the blood was collected for determination of lipids and glucose levels. To follow, hearts were isolated and perfused by Langendorff apparatus; was determined the baseline coronary perfused pressure (CPP) after 40 minutes and determined dose-response curve by adenosine. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for independent sample, followed by the Tukey test for comparison of the means. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05 and values were reported as mean+SEM. RESULTS: We observed increase (P<0,01) in blood pressure in the UST (114+1) vs. in the control-sham (103+1)mmHg group. The serum glucose (97+2 vs. 133+6 mg/dL) and lipids profile showed significant differences in the LDL-C (10+1 vs. 14+1 mg/dL) HDL-C (59+1 vs. 54+1 mg/dL); triglyceride (33+2 vs. 82+6 mg/dL) in the control and UST groups, respectively. The baseline CPP was reduced (P<0,01) from 94+2 mmHg in the control-sham to 79+1 mmHg in the UST group. CONCLUSIONS: Immediately after use of ultrasound therapy, the hemodynamics parameters and serum lipids and glucose levels were modified and producing attenuation induced-vasodilatation by adenosine. Therefore, we can consider that the UST increases the cardiovascular risk in female rats.BACKGROUND The ultrasound (US) diffusion as therapeutical methods, has corroborated the profile of security observed in the medicine practice, however, not always it has been based in systematic studies, suggesting measured caution and improvement in application on this technique. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the potential risk of the use low intensity ultrasound (3MHz) in the gynecoid lipodystrofy (cellulite) treatment and in the cardiovascular system implications. METHODS Female rats (Wistar) were divided in 02 groups: Control-Sham and Ultrasound Therapy (UST). After induced anesthesia with halotano, the rats had been submitted to UST pulse way, with power 1,0W/cm2 and 3 MHz frequency in the inguinal region (3cm2), during 03 min. per 10 days. At the treatment end, after anesthesia with Chloral 10% (0,4mL / 100g) a catheter made of PE-50 tubing connected to PE-10 tubing was implanted in the femoral artery, the blood pressure (BP) and hart rate (HR) was measured; the blood was collected for determination of lipids and glucose levels. To follow, hearts were isolated and perfused by Langendorff apparatus; was determined the baseline coronary perfused pressure (CPP) after 40 minutes and determined dose-response curve by adenosine. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for independent sample, followed by the Tukey test for comparison of the means. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05 and values were reported as mean±SEM. RESULTS We observed increase (P<0,01) in blood pressure in the UST (114±1) vs. in the control-sham (103±1)mmHg group. The serum glucose (97±2 vs. 133±6 mg/dL) and lipids profile showed significant differences in the LDL-C (10±1 vs. 14±1 mg/dL) HDL-C (59±1 vs. 54±1 mg/dL); triglyceride (33±2 vs. 82±6 mg/dL) in the control and UST groups, respectively. The baseline CPP was reduced (P<0,01) from 94±2 mmHg in the control-sham to 79±1 mmHg in the UST group. CONCLUSIONS Immediately after use of ultrasound therapy, the hemodynamics parameters and serum lipids and glucose levels were modified and producing attenuation induced-vasodilatation by adenosine. Therefore, we can consider that the UST increases the cardiovascular risk in female rats.

Swimming training prevents fat deposition and decreases angiotensin II-induced coronary vasoconstriction in ovariectomized rats.

We investigated the effects of chronic swimming training (ST) on the deposition of abdominal fat and vasoconstriction in response to angiotensin II (ANG II) in the coronary arterial bed of estrogen deficient rats. Twenty-eight 3-month old Wistar female rats were divided into 4 groups: sedentary sham (SS), sedentary-ovariectomized (SO), swimming-trained sham (STS) and swimming-trained ovariectomized (STO). ST protocol consisted of a continuous 60-min session, with a 5% BW load attached to the tail, completed 5 days/week for 8-weeks. The retroperitoneal, parametrial, perirenal and inguinal fat pads were measured. The intrinsic heart rate (IHR), coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and a concentration-response curve to ANG II in the coronary bed was constructed using the Langendorff preparation. Ovariectomy (OVX) significantly reduced 17-β-estradiol plasma levels in SO and STO groups (p<0.05). The STO group had a significantly reduced retroperitoneal and parametrial fat pad compared with the SO group (p<0.05). IHR values were similar in all groups; however, baseline CPP was significantly reduced in the SO, STS and STO groups compared with the SS group (p<0.05). ANG II caused vasoconstriction in the coronary bed in a concentration-dependent manner. The SO group had an increased response to ANG II when compared with all other experimental groups (p<0.05), which was prevented by 8-weeks of ST in the STO group (p<0.05). OVX increased ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in the coronary vascular bed and abdominal fat pad deposition. Eight weeks of swimming training improved these vasoconstrictor effects and decreased abdominal fat deposition in ovariectomized rats.

Acute effects of therapeutic 1-MHz ultrasound on nasal unblocking of subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis

UNLABELLED Low-intensity ultrasound therapy (LIUST) has been described as a plausible treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). AIMS To evaluate the short-term effects of continuous 1MHz LIUST on nasal obstruction in subjects with CRS. MATERIAL AND METHOD A cohort placebo-controlled study comprising 26 CRS adults (10 men, 16 women), sequentially allocated into two groups: control-placebo (CP, n= 12) and treated with LIUST (US, n = 14). The treatment consisted of: ISATA = continuous 1MHz, 1W.cm-2 for four minutes in the maxillary sinuses and nasal septum. The equipment was switched off in the CP group. The degree of obstruction was assessed by the total volume of secretion expelled (VSEx) after nasal instillation of 5 mL saline solution (NaCl-0.9%) followed by nasal lavage. The volume of expired air (VEA) was assessed with a Glatzel mirror. RESULTS The data showed an increase (p < 0.01) in VSEx and VEA after ultrasound therapy, suggesting a 64% improvement of nasal obstruction compared with the CP group. CONCLUSIONS Continuous LIUST reduced nasal obstruction and congestionç it may be used effectively in the respiratory therapy of CRS patients.