ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to observe the effects of extracorporeal shock waves (ECSWs) on neuralgia in diabetic rats.Materials and methodsDiabetic neuralgia model was established in rats via injection of streptozotocin. The rats were divided into diabetic neuralgia group (Group A, n=6) and ECSW treatment group (Group B, n=6). Another six rats were taken as control group (Group C, n=6). The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latencies (TWLs) were measured at specific points throughout the experiment, and the sciatic nerve was bluntly severed under anesthesia after the last measurement. The protein expressions of Sphk1 and TNF-α were detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expressions of Sphk1 and TNF-α were detected by reverse transcription PCR. The structure of the sciatic nerve was observed by electron microscopy.ResultsCompared with Group C, MWT and TWLs were decreased significantly in Groups A and B (P< 0.05). The protein expressions of TNF-α and Sphk1 in Groups A and B were both significantly higher than those in Group C (P<0.05), with higher expression in Group A than in Group B (P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of TNF-α and Sphk1 were similar. Electron microscopy showed the intact structure of the myelin sheaths of the sciatic nerve fibers in Group C, whereas the structure of the nerve fibers was damaged, with a large number of vacuoles in the myelin sheath in Group A. In Group B, the vacuoles were occasionally formed on the sciatic nerve myelin sheath, with more compact and tidy layer arrangement compared with Group A.ConclusionECSWs can relieve neuralgia in diabetic rats. Sphk1 and TNF-α may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic peripheral neuralgia.
Objective: To observe the effects of transection of cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST) on the cognitive function of traumatic brain injury (TBI) rats and the potential mechanisms. Methods: A total of 288 adult male SD rats were divided into 3 groups using a random number table: TBI group (n=96), TBI + TCST group (n=96) and Sham group (n=96). The water maze test was performed before TBI (T0) and at day 1 (T 1 ), day 2 (T 2 ), day 3 (T 3 ), 1 week (T 4 ), 2 weeks (T 5 ), 6 weeks (T 6 ) and 12 weeks (T 7 ) after TBI. The levels of α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs), α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and P38 in hippocampi were detected by real-time PCR. Hippocampal P38 expression was assayed by Western blot. The expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Noradrenaline (NE) expression in plasma was evaluated by ELISA. The respiratory control ratio (RCR) of brain mitochondria was detected using a Clark oxygen electrode. Results: TCST effectively improved the cognitive function of TBI rats. TCST significantly inhibited sympathetic activity in the rats and effectively inhibited inflammatory responses. The expression of BDNF at T 1 -T 6 in TBI+TCST group was higher than that in TBI group ( P <0.05). Furthermore, P38 expression was inhibited more effectively in TBI+TCST group ( P <0.05), than in TBI group ( P <0.05), and the RCR of the brain was significantly higher in TBI+TCST group than in TBI group ( P <0.05). Conclusions: TCST can enhance cognitive function in TBI rats by inhibiting sympathetic activity, reducing inflammatory responses and brain edema, upregulating BDNF and improving brain mitochondrial function.
Background: In order to reduce the occurrence of bone cement leakage, bone filling mesh container technique can be a prior choice for the treatment of vertebral metastases with damaged posterior margin of the thoracolumbar vertebral body. Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PKP) and bone filling mesh containers (BFMCS) in the treatment of vertebral metastases with posterior vertebral body damage. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study. From October 2016 to January 2018, 40 cases (72 vertebral bodies) of thoracolumbar osteolytic metastases were treated with vertebroplasty. Among them, 20 cases (37 vertebral bodies) were treated with PKP (PKP group), and 20 cases (35 vertebral bodies) were treated with BFMCS (BFMCS group). The operation time of the two groups was recorded, and visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), intraoperative bone cement leakage and complications were observed before operation and 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after operation. Results: All patients underwent successful operation. The operation time of the PKP group was 42.65 ± 7.84 minutes, and 42.95±8.48 minutes in the BFMCS group (P = 0.91). Both groups differed significantly when the results were compared with those measured before treatment. VAS dropped from 7.50 ± 0.95 points before operation to 1.20 ± 0.41 points at 6 months follow up in PKP group (P < 0.001), in the BFMCS group VAS dropped from 7.50 ± 0.94 points before operation to 1.45 ± 0.51 points at 6 months after operation (P < 0.001). The ODI of the PKP group dropped from 75.80±4.76 before operation to 12.05 ± 1.47, 6 months after operation (P < 0.001), ODI dropped from 75.00 ± 4.34 before operation to 11.60 ± 1.39 at 6 months follow up in the BFMCS group (P < 0.001). In the PKP group, 15 vertebral bodies (40.5%, 15/37) occurred bone cement leakage, but the patients had no clinical symptoms of bone cement leakage. Cement leakage occurred in one case in the BFMCS group. There were no complications such as pulmonary embolism, paraplegia or perioperative death. Conclusion: The application of bone-filling mesh container for treating patients with thoracolumbar osseointegrated metastases could significantly reduce the leakage rate of bone cement, and is similar to traditional PKP in pain relief and activity improvement.
The effects of steroid on diaphragmatic contractility and endurance were examined in 24 New Zealand rabbits. Diaphragmatic contractility was determined by measuring gastric pressure (Pga) with the lower thorax and the abdomen of the animal being fixed with a rigid cast. Endurance procedure was done by continuous 15 Hz stimulation of the bilateral phrenic nerves, and diaphragmatic endurance was expressed as the time from the initiation of the endurance procedure to the moment when transdiaphragmatic pressure 15 Hz (Pdi-15 Hz) decreased to 25% of Pdimax-15 Hz. Our data suggested that intravenous administration of dexamethasone 2.5 mg daily for 7 days did not affect the diaphragmatic contractility significantly, but could cause a significant decrease in diaphragmatic endurance. When delivered intravenously at the dose of 2.0 mg daily for 14 days, dexamethasone induced a significant decrease both in diaphragmatic contractility and endurance. The recovery of the diaphragmatic strength from fatigue, however, was not influenced by dexamethasone in either circumstance. The influence of dexamethasone on diaphragmatic contractility and endurance may have important clinical implications.
Background: Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in today’s society. Diabetes can cause multiple vascular lesions in the body, renal insufficiency, blindness, and so on. However, the evidence concerning the role of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in diabetic vascular disease is insufficient. Objectives: Observation of the effect of shock wave on vascular lesions in diabetic rats. Study Design: This study used an experimental design. Setting: The research took place in the laboratory research center at The Third Military Medical University. Methods: Eighteen healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (group A), diabetic group (group B), and diabetes + shock wave treatment group (group C). Groups B and C were established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 60 mg/kg to demonstrate a diabetic rat model. Shock wave treatment was performed on the left lower extremity femoral artery in group C for 1 week (T1), 2 weeks (T2), 3 weeks (T3), and 4 weeks (T4) while the other 2 groups were reared normally. At the end of T4 shock wave treatment, the femoral arteries of each group were observed under an electron microscope. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) were measured by western blot, and the changes of VEGF expression were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The VEGF and eNOS in group C were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05). The AT1 of the rats in the B and C groups was significantly higher than that in the A group (P < 0.05), but the C group was significantly lower than the B group (P < 0.05). After shock wave therapy, the surface of vascular endothelium in group C was flatter and smoother than that in group B, and the endothelial basement membrane and foot process were relatively tight. Limitations: Potential mechanisms that underlie the relationship between vascular dysfunction and diabetic neuropathy pain were not examined in this study. Conclusions: Shock wave may promote the formation of new blood vessels and improve vasomotor function by upregulating VEGF, eNOS, and downregulation of AT1 in diabetic rats and improve the damage of blood glucose to blood vessels to some extent. Key words: Shock wave, diabetic rats, vascular dysfunction, neovascularization
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to comparison of unilateral and bilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of severe vertebral compression fractures. METHODS Sixty-four severe vertebral compression fractures patients were treated in our hospital were randomly divided into group A and group B(n = 32). Group A received Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) treatment by unilateral vertebral pedicle approach. Group B received PVP treatment by bilateral vertebralpedicle approach. Visual Analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswesty Disability Index (ODI) were recorded before surgery, and at 1d,1 month, and 6 months after operation. Also, the puncture path, needle position, intraoperative bone cement injection volume, bone cement dispersion, intra-operative and postoperative complications were observed. RESULTS Sixty-four vertebrae were successfully punctured.The postoperative VAS,ODI were lower than preoperative, showed statistical difference compared with the preoperative VAS, ODI, but there are no difference between Group A and Group B.The cement leakage and operation time is lower in group A than that in Group B. CONCLUSION PVP by unilateral vertebral pedicle approach in treating severe vertebral compression fractures can significantly relieve pain and promote functional recovery, which has advantages such as convenient operation and low complication rate.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.