-
Physiological Research Dec 2023Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant that increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels. Recent studies have shown that methylphenidate potentiates the effect of morphine...
Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant that increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels. Recent studies have shown that methylphenidate potentiates the effect of morphine and together suppress acute and chronic pain. In clinical practice, methylphenidate has been used as a treatment for ADHD and changes of pain threshold have been noted in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methylphenidate in an animal model of peripheral neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was modeled by the chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI) in Wistar rats. We evaluated the effect of methylphenidate (1 mg/kg, s.c.) on evoked pain (reflex tests - plantar test, vonFrey test and operant test - thermal place preference) and on spontaneous pain (conditioned place preference). CCI induced thermal, mechanical and cold hyperalgesia/allodynia. Methyphenidate suppressed mechanical and cold hyperalgesia/allodynia, while had no effect on thermal one. Therefore, methylphenidate seems to be a new potential pharmacotherapy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Hyperalgesia; Methylphenidate; Rats, Wistar; Disease Models, Animal; Neuralgia
PubMed: 38165759
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935215 -
Translational Neuroscience Jan 2023Dorsal root injury usually leads to irreversible sensory function loss and lacks effective treatments. (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is reported to exert...
Dorsal root injury usually leads to irreversible sensory function loss and lacks effective treatments. (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is reported to exert neuroprotective roles in the nervous systems. However, the function of EGCG in treating dorsal root injury remains unclear. Hence, we built the dorsal root crush injury (DRCI) rat model to be treated with EGCG, followed by the western blot, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and sensory behavior tests. We observed that EGCG can upregulate the Lysine acetyltransferase 6A (KAT6A) level and inhibit the pyroptosis, indicated by downregulated gasdermin-D, caspase-1, and interleukin 18 protein levels, and alleviate the neuropathic pain, indicated by the decreased paw withdraw threshold in Plantar test and decreased paw withdraw latency in von Frey test, and downregulated calcitonin gene-related peptide, nerve growth factor, and c-Fos protein levels. But EGCG cannot alleviate the neuropathic pain when the KAT6A was inhibited by CTX-0124143 and pyroptosis was activated by Miltirone. These combined results indicated that EGCG can promote the sensory function recovery in rats after DRCI via upregulating KAT6A and inhibiting pyroptosis, laying the foundation for EGCG to be a novel candidate for the treatment of dorsal root injury.
PubMed: 38152093
DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0326 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023Limited evidence is available relating gait changes to diagnostic anaesthesia. We investigated associations between specific movement patterns and diagnostic anaesthesia...
Limited evidence is available relating gait changes to diagnostic anaesthesia. We investigated associations between specific movement patterns and diagnostic anaesthesia of different anatomical structures in a retrospective analysis. Referral-level lameness cases were included with the following criteria: presence of diagnostic anaesthesia of a forelimb and/or hind limb; subjective efficacy classified as "negative", "partially positive", or "positive"; quantitative gait data available from inertial measurement units. Gait changes were calculated for three forelimb (palmar digital, abaxial sesamoid, low 4-point nerve block) and five hind limb diagnostic blocks (tarso-metatarsal, metatarsophalangeal joint block, deep branch of lateral plantar, low 6-point, abaxial sesamoid nerve block). Mixed models (random factor "case", fixed factors "diagnostic anaesthesia type" and "efficacy", two-way interaction) assessed the head and pelvic movement ( < 0.05, Bonferroni correction). Four parameters were significantly affected by forelimb anaesthesia (N = 265) (all ≤ 0.031) and six by hind limb anaesthesia (N = 342) efficacy (all ≤ 0.001). All head movement parameters and pelvic push-off asymmetry were significantly affected by the two-way interaction after forelimb anaesthesia (all ≤ 0.023) and two pelvic movement symmetry parameters by the two-way interaction after hind limb anaesthesia (all ≤ 0.020). There are interactions between block efficacy and type resulting in changes in weight-bearing and push-off-associated head and pelvic movement symmetry after diagnostic anaesthesia.
PubMed: 38136806
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243769 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Feb 2024To describe the feasibility of a novel thread-transecting technique for the tenotomy of the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the feasibility of a novel thread-transecting technique for the tenotomy of the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).
ANIMALS
39 equine distal limb specimens.
METHODS
Under ultrasonographic guidance, a surgical thread was percutaneously placed around the DDFT through 2 needle punctures (lateral and medial) using a Tuohy needle in equine limbs (22 forelimbs, 17 hindlimbs). The DDFT was transected by a back-and-forth motion of the thread until the loop emerged from the entry puncture site. Each specimen was dissected and assessed for completeness of transection and iatrogenic damage under direct visualization. Descriptive statistics were reported.
RESULTS
Complete DDFT transection was achieved in all 39 limbs, taking an average of 8.6 minutes per procedure. Iatrogenic damage to surrounding structures occurred in 17 (44%) limbs, with 6 (15%) limbs having more than 1 structure damaged. Damage to the communicating branch of the palmar or plantar nerves was the most commonly seen.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
DDFT tenotomy in equine limb specimens was effectively performed using a novel thread-transecting technique. The procedure is quick, and no suturing is needed, but damage to surrounding structures is possible. Further assessment of the procedure and clinical significance of its potential iatrogenic damage in clinical cases is needed.
Topics: Horses; Animals; Tenotomy; Tendons; Foot; Foot Diseases; Iatrogenic Disease; Forelimb; Horse Diseases
PubMed: 38109844
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.09.0215 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology 2023The stigma surrounding leprosy in the community is due to grade 2 disability (G2D). The current global leprosy project aims towards a 90% reduction in G2D by 2030. This...
BACKGROUND
The stigma surrounding leprosy in the community is due to grade 2 disability (G2D). The current global leprosy project aims towards a 90% reduction in G2D by 2030. This research was done to estimate the proportion of leprosy patients who had G2D at the time of diagnosis and to identify the clinical and demographic factors that predicted G2D.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Design -Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study. The outcome variable was G2D and the determinants were demographic and clinical characteristics.
RESULTS
G2D was seen in 22.3% and G1D in 17.5%. The M:F ratio of G2D was 5:1. G2D was highest in the hands (62.1%), followed by the feet (59.4%), and the eyes (16.2%). The claw hand was the most common deformity in the hand and the plantar ulcer was the most common deformity in the feet. Age >45 (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.1-4.8), males (OR 3.3,95% CI 1.3-8.5), multibacillary type (OR 6.95,95% CI 1.6-30.6), pure neuritic type (OR 3.6,95% CI 1.1-12.3), and thickened nerves (OR 14.3, 95% CI 1.9-108.7) were the significant determinants.
CONCLUSION
Being male, being older than 45, having multibacillary leprosy, having pure neuritic leprosy, and having a thicker nerve trunk predicted G2D. Training primary care health workers in recognising the subtle early symptoms and raising community awareness are the need of the hour. Frequent leprosy case detection programmes should be held to identify undiagnosed cases.
PubMed: 38099113
DOI: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_391_23 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can noninvasively and quickly assess electrical properties of the body, such as the phase angle. Phase angle is regarded as the...
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can noninvasively and quickly assess electrical properties of the body, such as the phase angle. Phase angle is regarded as the quantity and/or quality of skeletal muscle and is associated with exercise performance, such as jump height and walking speed. Although the phase angle derived from BIA is assumed to be a useful way to assess muscle function, the relationship between the phase angle and neuromuscular properties has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of phase angle with voluntary and evoked contractile properties in 60 adults (age, 21-83 years; 30 females and 30 males). The phase angle of the right leg at 50 kHz was evaluated using BIA. The twitch contractile properties (peak twitch torque [PT], rate of twitch torque development [RTD], and time-to-PT [TPT]) of the plantar flexors were measured using tibial nerve electrical stimulation. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) were performed to measure the maximal muscle strength and explosive muscle strength, from which the peak MVIC torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) over a time interval of 0-200 ms were assessed, respectively. The root mean square (RMS) values of electromyographic (EMG) activity during the PT and RTD measurements (EMG-RMS and EMG-RMS, respectively) were calculated. The RTD and EMG-RMS were normalized using PT and EMG-RMS, respectively. Phase angle significantly correlated with twitch contractile properties (|| ≥ 0.444, < 0.001), PT ( = 0.532, < 0.001), and RTD ( = 0.514, < 0.001), but not with normalized RTD ( = 0.242, = 0.065) or normalized EMG-RMS ( = -0.055, = 0.676). When comparing measurement variables between the low- and high-phase angle groups while controlling for sex and age effects, the high-phase angle group showed greater PT, RTD, PT, and RTD ( < 0.001) and shorter TPT ( < 0.001) but not normalized RTD ( = 0.184) or normalized EMG-RMS ( = 0.317). These results suggest that the leg phase angle can be an indicator of voluntary and evoked muscle contractile properties but not the neuromuscular activity of the plantar flexors, irrespective of sex and age.
PubMed: 38074320
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1292778 -
Archives of Rheumatology Sep 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate possible peripheral and autonomic nerve involvement in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with nerve conduction studies,...
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate possible peripheral and autonomic nerve involvement in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with nerve conduction studies, sympathetic skin response (SSR) and RR interval variability (RRIV).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The comparative case series was conducted with 76 participants between November 2017 and December 2018. Forty-six FMF patients, [12 with amyloidosis (5 males, 7 females; mean age: 44.7±13.9 years) and 34 without amyloidosis (14 males, 20 females; mean age: 35.9±8.7 years)], and 30 healthy volunteers (11 males, 19 females; mean age: 38.4±10 years) were included in this study. Nerve conduction parameters, SSR latency and amplitude from palmar and plantar responses, and RRIV at rest and deep breathing were studied in all the subjects. Neuropathic symptoms of the patient group were evaluated using the survey of autonomic symptoms scale and the neuropathy disability score.
RESULTS
Nerve conduction studies of the patient group revealed polyneuropathy in seven (15.21%) patients and carpal tunnel syndrome in six (13.04%) patients. The mean amplitudes of SSR measured from the soles were significantly lower than the control group (p=0.041). The mean values of RRIV during rest and hyperventilation were lower in the patient group compared to the control group, but no statistically significant difference was found (p=0.484, p=0.341).
CONCLUSION
We detected that the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in our patient population (13.04%) was higher than in the general population. Most of the changes in the range of parameters of SSR and RRIV determined in the patient group did not reach statistical significance, suggesting subclinical dysautonomia in FMF patients.
PubMed: 38046242
DOI: 10.46497/ArchRheumatol.2023.9695 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Science :... Dec 2023Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain, tendinopathy, and fasciitis with an anti-inflammatory effect. ESWT can be...
BACKGROUND
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain, tendinopathy, and fasciitis with an anti-inflammatory effect. ESWT can be categorized into two groups: radial pressure wave (RPW) and focused shock wave (FSW). Although there have been several studies on the inflammation and pain-improvement mechanisms of FSW, there are few studies on the pain-improvement mechanisms of RPW. This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy of RPW in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis.
METHODS
Ninety-six rats were randomly categorized into three groups: RPW, control, and sham as follows: (I) RPW group, which received RPW application after complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection; (II) Control group, which received only CFA injection; and (III) Sham group, which received only saline injection. All rats were evaluated at 0, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days post-RPW application based on foot circumference, von Frey test, and immunohistochemistry of nerve fibers for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 in plantar skins.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in foot circumference between the RPW and control groups at any time point. The RPW group showed significant improvements in the von Frey test results on days 7 and 14. The total CGRP-immunoreactive (ir) and PGP9.5-ir nerve fiber lengths in the RPW group decreased on day 0; however, both were increased in the control group. The CGRP-ir and PGP9.5-ir nerve fibers in the RPW group were significantly shorter than those in the control group until day 14 after RPW.
CONCLUSIONS
RPW improved the mechanical hypersensitivity between days 7 and 14 after application. Like FSW, RPW also induced the degeneration of sensory nerve fibers in the skin in the early period after irradiation, and reinnervation occurred between 14 and 28 days. Thus, our results demonstrate one of the pain relief mechanisms after RPW application.
PubMed: 38042731
DOI: 10.1016/j.jos.2023.11.008 -
Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine 2023Magnetic stimulation devices can be large because of the need for cooling systems. We developed a compact and lightweight Spinning Permanent Magnet (SPM) device that...
BACKGROUND
Magnetic stimulation devices can be large because of the need for cooling systems. We developed a compact and lightweight Spinning Permanent Magnet (SPM) device that generates magnetic fields with intensities below the motor threshold. In this report, we present the case of a post-stroke patient in which an immediate reduction in spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors was achieved after SPM treatment.
CASE
A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a right putamen hemorrhage. The patient underwent conservative therapy and exhibited residual left hemiplegia and spasticity. Three months after stroke onset, he was able to walk with supervision while using a left ankle-foot orthosis and a T-cane. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score of the left ankle plantar flexors was 1+. The plantar flexors were stimulated by SPM treatment. The outcomes were the Hmax/Mmax of the tibial nerve (soleus muscle) and the MAS score. On the first day, SPM stimulation was applied for 30 min. On the second day, a sham stimulation of the same duration was performed. On the third day, the SPM stimulation was repeated. Hmax/Mmax decreased from 41.5% to 37.7% on the first day, and from 46.9% to 31.6% on the third day after SPM stimulation. The MAS score decreased from 1+ to 1 on both days. In contrast, after sham stimulation, Hmax/Mmax increased from 39.2% to 44.2%, whereas the MAS score remained unchanged at 1+.
DISCUSSION
Stimulation below the motor threshold using SPM treatment can effectively reduce spasticity.
PubMed: 38024959
DOI: 10.2490/prm.20230040 -
Cureus Oct 2023Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that isn't genetically encoded by the human body. This amino acid is capable of causing oxidative damage to the endothelial cells,...
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that isn't genetically encoded by the human body. This amino acid is capable of causing oxidative damage to the endothelial cells, leading to the onset of thrombosis. Moreover, it can also inflict harm to neurons by activating pro-apoptotic factors, causing DNA damage, and inducing oxidative stress, as observed in various animal models and cell cultures. This case report highlights a four-year-old girl who exhibited signs of an ischemic stroke. The neurological examination revealed several symptoms, including anisocoria, decreased tone, decreased power, absent reflexes on the right upper and lower extremity, and hyper extensor plantar response, accompanied by upper motor neuron seventh cranial nerve palsy. An MRI scan further confirmed the presence of an ischemic stroke in the left middle cerebral artery territory. After a thorough evaluation, the probable cause of this condition was identified as severe homocysteine elevation.
PubMed: 38021803
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46981