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It is widely known that maternal physical exercise is able to induce beneficial improvements in offspring cognition; however, the effects of paternal exercise have not been explored in detail. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of paternal physical exercise on memory and learning, neuroplasticity and DNA methylation levels in the hippocampus of male offspring. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: sedentary or exercised fathers. The paternal preconception exercise protocol consisted of treadmill running, 20 minutes daily, 5 consecutive days per week for 22 days, while the mothers were not trained. After mating, paternal sperm was collected for global DNA methylation analysis. At postnatal day 53, the offspring were euthanized, and the hippocampus was dissected to measure cell survival by 5-bromo-2′-deoxiuridine and to determine the expression of synaptophysin, reelin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and global DNA methylation levels. To measure spatial memory and learning changes in offspring, the Morris water maze paradigm was used. There was an improvement in spatial learning, as well as a significant decrease in hippocampal global DNA methylation levels in the offspring from exercised fathers compared with those from sedentary ones; however, no changes were observed in neuroplasticity biomarkers brain-derived neurotrophic factor, reelin and 5-bromo-2′-deoxiuridine. Finally, the global DNA methylation of paternal sperm was not significantly changed by physical exercise. These results suggest a link between paternal preconception physical activity and cognitive benefit, which may be associated with hippocampal epigenetic programming in male offspring. However, the biological mechanisms of this modulation remain unclear.

-Aceito para publicação: out. 2012 -Fonte de financiamento: nenhuma -Conflito de interesse: nada a declarar -Apresentação em evento científico: Este estudo teve seus resultados parciais apresentados de forma oral na VII Jornada Científica da Faculdade ASCES e foi apresentado na íntegra em formato de pôster no XVI Simpósio Internacional de Fisioterapia Respiratória (XVI SIFR) -Parecer de aprovação no Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Faculdade ASCES nº 119/10.ABSTRACT | Individuals with sequelae of stroke present as a common complication hypotonia and weakness of trunk muscles, in special the rectus abdominal muscle which is the main muscle activated for cough. The electrical stimulation (ES) is being widely used to fiber recruitment in many muscle groups and pathologies. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of electrical stimulation with median frequencies (ETMF) in expiratory muscles strength and cough in patients with sequels of stroke. It is a quasi-experimental study (before and after) where 11 individuals were selected after stroke between 40 and 65 years, both sexes and hemodynamically stable. Patients were evaluated about clinic and respiratory scores (ventilometer, peak of expiratory flow (PEF) and manometer (MIP and MEP) and submitted to the protocol, which consisted of ETMF in expiratory muscle (abdominals rectus) with the unit of Russian current with 2,500 Hz carrier frequency modulated at 40 Hz for 15 minutes by 15 sessions. In the initial assessment evidenced decreasing in inspiratory and expiratory muscular strength (MIP, MEP) and PEF when compared to predicted values in literature. In the end of ETMF it happened an increase in MIP, MEP without statistical significance (p=0.18 and p=0.29) but the PEF has had an increase of 283.73 L/minute to 347.27 L/minute (p=0.03). It can be seen that the ETMF was effective in the improvement of the parameters evaluated, with PEF being the greatest impact and statistical significance, RESUMO | Indivíduos com sequelas de acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) apresentam como complicação comum a hipotonia de tronco com consequente fraqueza da sua musculatura, em especial, o reto abdominal que é o principal músculo acionado para a tosse. As correntes elétricas têm sido amplamente utilizadas para recrutamento de fibras musculares nas mais diversas patologias. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da eletroestimulação transcutânea de média frequência (ETMF) na força muscular expiratória e tosse de pacientes com sequela de AVE. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental (antes e depois) onde foram selecionados 11 indivíduos pós-AVE entre 40 a 65 anos, ambos os sexos e estáveis hemodinamicamente. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto a parâmetros clínicos e pneumofuncionais (ventilometria, pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) e manovacuometria) e submetidos ao protocolo, que constava de ETMF no músculo reto abdominal com o aparelho de corrente Russa, frequência portadora de 2.500 Hz modulada a 40 Hz, durante 15 minutos, por 15 sessões. Na avaliação inicia...

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Introduction: Individuals with stroke sequelae present changes in the postural alignment and muscle strength associated with hemiplegia or hemiparesis. Mirror therapy is a technique that aims to improve the motor function of the paretic limb. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mirror therapy, associated with conventional physiotherapy, for range of motion (ROM), degree of spasticity of the affected upper limb, and the level of independence in the activities of daily living (ADL) of chronic patients after stroke. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental (before and after) study. The study included ten stroke survivors undertaking physiotherapy and presenting with upper limb paresis. The following gauges were used for the present study: goniometry, the Modified Ashworth Scale, Fugl-Meyer and Barthel Index. Fifteen sessions were performed, each lasting 30 minutes, consisting of stretching of the flexor and extensor muscles of the wrist and elbow, pronators and supinators, followed by mirror therapy with gradual functional exercises. Results: Improvement was observed in all aspects studied, however with significant differences for ROM wrist extension (p = 0.04) and forearm supination (p = 0.03) Conclusion: It can be concluded that mirror therapy contributed to the participants' good performance in the aspects studied, mainly in relation to ROM of the affected upper limb.

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