Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) exerts trophic actions to motoneurons and modulates nonneuronal restorative events, but its effects on neuroplasticity responses after spinal cord (SC) injury are unknown. Rats received a low thoracic SC photothrombotic ischemia and local injection of PEDF and were evaluated behaviorally six weeks later. PEDF actions were detailed in SC ventral horn (motor) in the levels of the lumbar central pattern generator (CPG), far from the injury site. Molecules related to neuroplasticity (MAP-2), those that are able to modulate such event, for instance, neurotrophic factors (NT-3, GDNF, BDNF, and FGF-2), chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG), and those associated with angiogenesis and antiapoptosis (laminin and Bcl-2) and Eph (receptor)/ephrin system were evaluated at cellular or molecular levels. PEDF injection improved motor behavioral performance and increased MAP-2 levels and dendritic processes in the region of lumbar CPG. Treatment also elevated GDNF and decreased NT-3, laminin, and CSPG. Injury elevated EphA4 and ephrin-B1 levels, and PEDF treatment increased ephrin A2 and ephrins B1, B2, and B3. Eph receptors and ephrins were found in specific populations of neurons and astrocytes. PEDF treatment to SC injury triggered neuroplasticity in lumbar CPG and regulation of neurotrophic factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and ephrins.
Objective:To evaluate the effect of a clinical management program involving education on hand function in patients with rhizarthritis. Methods:One hundred and eight patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis (191 hands with clinical and radiographic rhizarthritis) followed for two years as part of an educational program on osteoarthritis were administered the SF-36, DASH, and HAQ questionnaires and measured for the strength of their palmar grip, pulp to pulp pinch, key (lateral) pinch, and tripod pinch at the time of inclusion and after 24 months. Age, race, level and frequency of physical activity, sex, body mass index, percentage of body fat, and degree of osteoarthritis were correlated to the test outcomes. Results:Women improved less than men on the HAQ (p=0.037). Each 1% reduction in fat percentage increased the chance of HAQ score improvement by 9.2% (p=0.038). Physical activity did not influence improvement in the parameters evaluated (p>0.05). Palmar grip improvement was affected by age and presence of rhizarthritis (p<0.05); patients with unilateral rhizarthritis improved 5.3 times more than patients without the disease (p=0.015), while improvement in palmar grip strength decreased 6.8% per year (p=0.004). Pulp pinch grip strength improved more in women than in men (p=0.018). Conclusion:Patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis improved quality of life and grip strength through clinical treatment, an educational program, and fat loss. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective study.
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