Proper trace element level and antioxidant enzyme activity are crucial for the brain in maintaining normal neurological functions. To our knowledge, alteration of lipid peroxidation status, trace element level, and antioxidant activity in the homogenates of brain cortex after cerebral ischemia in gerbil, however, has not been investigated so far. Male Mongolian gerbils were divided into control and ischemic subjects. Cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery and right common carotid artery for 1 h. Experimental results showed that a significant increase (P < 0.01) of the malondialdehyde level was found in the ischemic brain as compared with the control group. Trace element analysis indicated that a remarkable elevation (P < 0.01) of the level of iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and a statistical decrease of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) (P < 0.05) concentration were observed in the ischemic brain as compared with the control subject. No significant change (P > 0.05) of the copper (Cu) level was found in both experimental groups. Additionally, antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and catalase (P < 0.05) was significantly decreased in the ischemic brain as compared with the control subject. Taking all results together, it is conceivable to manifest the experimental findings that cerebral ischemia not only may result in an enhanced oxidative stress but also may lead to further oxidative injury. Moreover, disturbance of trace element level combined with declined antioxidant activity seems to play a significant role in responsible for the etiology of cerebral ischemia.
Tongue strength is crucial for safe and efficient oropharyngeal swallowing. This study examined the effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training (TPRT) on anterior and posterior tongue strength by conducting a prospective, randomized, parallel allocation trial.Methods: Ninety-one healthy adults were recruited in this study and were randomly assigned to an experimental group ( n = 44) or a control group ( n = 47). The experimental group performed TPRT for 8 weeks (5 days per week), whereas the control group performed the usual daily activities. Tongue strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) before and after the practice program was conducted at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, to evaluate the feasibility of the developed training protocol.Results: This experimental group demonstrated more improvements in both anterior tongue strength ( p < .05 ) and posterior tongue strength ( p < .05 ). The positive effects of the intervention on tongue strength appeared at 8 weeks for the anterior region and 2 weeks for the posterior region.Conclusions: These findings illustrate that TPRT can improve tongue strength. It is suggested that people integrate this exercise protocol into their daily life, positive change in tongue strength may prevent or halt presbyphagia.
Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) is an instrument used to measure tongue strength. The standard protocol of operating IOPI is three trials separated by 10-15 seconds of rest. The highest pressure of these three trials is recorded as the tongue strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of three trials. Forty-one healthy adults were taken as research subjects. Repeated-measurements analysis of covariance (RANCOVAs) was used to analyze the anterior and posterior tongue strength under four conditions: maximum isometric pressure, dry swallowing, 5c.c. and 10c.c. of water swallowing. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences among three trials of anterior and posterior tongue strength. It is suggested that before measuring the tongue strength, the participants should be provided with the opportunity to practice, and one or two trials in formal measurements can be adopted to reduce their fatigue.
Keywords: Intraoral pressure; Swallowing; Dysphagia
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