Light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) improves functional capacity in rats with heart failure.

The syndrome of heart failure (HF) promotes central and peripheral dysfunctions that result in functional capacity decrease, leading to fatigue, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance. The use of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) has shown good results reducing fatigue and exercise intolerance, when applied on skeletal muscles before or after exercises. Thereby, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of LEDT on functional capacity, aerobic power, and hemodynamic function in HF rats. Male Wistar rats (230-260 g) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: Sham (n = 6), Control-HF (n = 4), and LEDT-HF (n = 6). The animals were subjected to an exercise performance test (ET) with gas analysis coupled in a metabolic chamber for rats performed two times (6 and 14 weeks after myocardial infarction). On the day after the baseline aerobic capacity test, the animals were submitted during 8 weeks to the phototherapy protocol, five times/week, 60 s of irradiation, 6 J delivered per muscle group. Statistical analysis was performed by one- and two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc tests (p ≤ 0.05). Comparing the percentage difference (Δ) between baseline and the final ET, there was no significant difference for the VO2max variable considering all groups. However, Sham and LEDT-HF groups showed higher relative values than the Control-HF group, respectively, for distance covered (27.7 and 32.5 %), time of exercise test (17.7 and 20.5 %), and speed (13.6 and 12.2 %). In conclusion, LEDT was able to increase the functional capacity evaluated by distance covered, time, and speed of exercise in rats with HF.

Infrared LED irradiation applied during high-intensity treadmill training improves maximal exercise tolerance in postmenopausal women: a 6-month longitudinal study.

Reduced aerobic fitness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among the older population. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LED irradiation (850 nm) applied during treadmill training on the maximal exercise tolerance in postmenopausal women. At the beginning of the study, 45 postmenopausal women were assigned randomly to three groups, and 30 women completed the entire 6 months of the study. The groups were: (1) the LED group (treadmill training associated with phototherapy, n = 10), (2) the exercise group (treadmill training, n = 10), and (3) the sedentary group (neither physical training nor phototherapy, n = 10). The training was performed for 45 min twice a week for 6 months at intensities between 85% and 90% maximal heart rate (HRmax). The irradiation parameters were 39 mW/cm(2), 45 min and 108 J/cm(2). The cardiovascular parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. As expected, no significant differences were found in the sedentary group (p ≥ 0.05). The maximal time of tolerance (Tlim), metabolic equivalents (METs) and Bruce stage reached significantly higher values in the LED group and the exercise group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the HR, double product and Borg score at isotime were significantly lower in the LED group and in the exercise group (p < 0.05). However, the time of recovery showed a significant decrease only in the LED group (p = 0.003). Moreover, the differences between before and after training (delta values) for the Tlim, METs and HR at isotime were greater in the LED group than in the exercise group with a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.05). Therefore, the infrared LED irradiation during treadmill training can improve maximal performance and post-exercise recovery in postmenopausal women.

Impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose. RESULTS: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

Evaluation of acute effect of light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy on muscle deoxygenation and pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics in patients with diabetes mellitus: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is responsible for a significant reduction in the quality of life due to its negative impact on functional capacity. Cardiopulmonary fitness impairment in DM patients has been associated with limited tissue oxygenation. Phototherapy is widely utilized to treat several disorders due to expected light-tissue interaction. This type of therapy may help to improve muscular oxygenation, thereby increasing aerobic fitness and functional capacity. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Four separate tests will be performed to evaluate the acute effect of phototherapy. All participants will receive both interventions in random order: light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) and placebo, with a minimum 14-day interval between sessions (washout period). Immediately after the intervention, participants will perform moderate constant workload cycling exercise corresponding to 80 % of the pulmonary oxygen uptake [Formula: see text] during the gas exchange threshold (GET). LEDT will be administered with a multidiode cluster probe (50 GaAIA LEDs, 850 ηm, 75 mW each diode, and 3 J per point) before each exercise session. Pulmonary oxygen uptake, muscle oxygenation, heart rate, and arterial pressure will be measured using a computerized metabolic cart, a near-infrared spectrometer, an electrocardiogram, and a photoplethysmography system, respectively. DISCUSSION: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of muscular pre-conditioning using LED phototherapy on pulmonary oxygen uptake, muscle oxygenation, heart rate, and arterial pressure dynamics during dynamic moderate exercise. We hypothesize that phototherapy may be beneficial to optimize aerobic fitness in the DM population. Data will be published after the study is completed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under trial number NCT01889784 (date of registration 5 June 2013).

Cardiac function, perfusion, and morbidity in irradiated long-term survivors of Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSE: The incidence of cardiotoxicity and clinical cardiac events following mantle irradiation (RT) in patients with Hodgkin's disease using modern techniques is controversial. The use of quantitative, prognostically validated noninvasive tests to assess systolic and diastolic cardiac function and regional myocardial blood flow may reveal preclinical abnormalities associated with subsequent clinical events of myocardial infarction, cardiac death, or angina. The goals of this study are to determine, through noninvasive measures, the presence and time course of alterations in cardiac systolic and diastolic function and of relative myocardial blood flow in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's disease, and assess their correlation with subsequent clinical cardiac end points. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA) was used to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function by measuring LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and peak filling rate (PFR), respectively, in patients without known ischemic heart disease who received RT. Electrocardiography was performed to assess electrical cardiac function under conditions of rest and either exercise or dipyridamole vasodilator stress. Quantitative rest/stress myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201 and/or Tc-99m sestamibi was used to assess myocardial perfusion. Patients at least 1.0 year after RT were eligible if they were <50 years old at RT, had no known cardiac disease, and remained free of clinical recurrence of Hodgkin's disease. Fifty patients, ages 10.2-46.1 years (mean 26.0 +/- 8.6) at RT, were tested 1.1 to 29.1 years (mean 9.1 +/- 7.5) after RT. Seventeen of these patients were tested two times separated by 1.1 to 8.1 years. The mean central cardiac RT dose was 35.1 +/- 7.8 Gy (range 18.5-47.5) in daily 15-2.0 Gy fractions. Twelve patients were concomitantly irradiated to the left ventricle, usually through partial transmission left lung shields (mean 17.0 +/- 2.2 Gy, range 14.3-21.3). RESULTS: No patients had signs or symptoms of cardiac disease at the time of evaluation. The mean LVEF at the time of initial testing was 59.6 +/- 6.2% (n = 50; range 42-73%; normal > or =50%), and the mean peak filling rate (PFR) was 3.46 +/- 0.88 end diastolic volumes per second (EDV/s) (range 1.5-5.4 EDV/s; normal > or =2.54 EDV/s). The 12 patients also treated to the left ventricle had a normal mean ejection fraction that was lower (56.6 +/- 5.0%) than that of the other 38 patients (LVEF = 60.6 +/- 6.3%, p = 0.051) when initially evaluated. Average PFR was similar in the two groups. For the 15 patients who had repeat tests, changes in LVEF were generally modest in individual patients, and there was no change in the group mean. For all patients, no significant association was found between cardiac function indices and age at RT, dose, or interval from RT to testing. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy demonstrated mild ischemia in one or more segments in two patients, and borderline normal perfusion in three patients. Rest and stress ECG testing demonstrated mild repolarization abnormalities in three, and one patient was abnormal at rest and had nondiagnostic changes with stress. CONCLUSIONS: Patients irradiated to the heart incidental to the treatment of Hodgkin's disease using modern techniques have generally normal measures of left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion. Modest differences in the normal left ventricular ejection fraction observed may be attributable to the cardiac volume irradiated. Some patients may manifest improved cardiac function as time from RT elapses, while a significant deterioration of ejection fraction was not observed and reduction in diastolic peak filling rate is uncommon. The previously reported increased risk of cardiac death may relate to use of older techniques of RT employing higher doses and lack of cardiac shielding, and uncontrolled patient selection with additional behaviors and cardiac risk factors.

Cardiopulmonary evaluation of exercise tolerance after chest irradiation and anticancer chemotherapy in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance in children and adolescents after chest irradiation and anticancer chemotherapy. METHODS: We studied 30 subjectively asymptomatic patients aged 8 to 25 years treated for pediatric malignancies with chest irradiation (XRT) +/- chemotherapy. The median interval since XRT was 7 (range, 2 to 13) years. The median XRT dose for mediastinum and/or lungs was 2550 (range, 1000 to 5100) cGy. The median cumulative dose of anthracyclines was 250 (range, 0 to 480) mg/m2. Cardiac function and exercise tolerance were evaluated by electrocardiography, echocardiography, radionuclide cineangiography, and exercise test with gas exchange analysis. RESULTS: The patients differed from normal controls in systolic indices of myocardial function. In echocardiography, the left ventricular contractility was abnormal in 14/30 patients. In radionuclide cineangiography, the left ventricular ejection fraction was subnormal in 6/30 patients, and in 9/30 patients the rise in ejection fraction during exercise was inadequate (< 5%). In exercise testing, the mean (+/- SD) maximum workload attained was 2.7 (+/- 0.7) watts/kg, and the mean (+/- SD) maximum oxygen consumption was 35.4 (+/- 9.7) mL/min/kg. Both variables were < 80% of predicted values in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: XRT and anticancer chemotherapy very often lead to late cardiopulmonary toxicity and impaired exercise tolerance. Although in most cases this toxicity seemed to be mild and subclinical, the long-term clinical sequels merit further evaluation.

No detectable bioeffects following acute exposure to high peak power ultra-wide band electromagnetic radiation in rats.

A wide range assessment of the possible bioeffects of an acute exposure to high peak power ultra-wide band (UWB) electromagnetic radiation was performed in rats. The UWB-exposure consisted of 2 min of pulsed (frequency: 60 Hz, pulse width: 5-10 ns) UWB (bandwidth: 0.25-2.50 GHz) electromagnetic radiation. Rats were examined using one of the following: 1) a functional observational battery (FOB); 2) a swimming performance test; 3) a complete panel of blood chemistries; or 4) determination of the expression of the c-fos protein in immunohistologically-stained sections of the brain. No significant differences were found between UWB- or sham-exposed rats on any of the measured parameters.

[The evaluation of the efficacy of the hydro- and balneo-laser therapy of patients with arterial hypertension]. / Otsenka éffektivnosti gidro- i bal'neolazernoi terapii bol'nykh s arterial'noi gipertenziei.

The method of hydro- and balneo-laser therapy is highly effective in optimization of adaptation, improvement in physical and cardiac performance. However examination of data in the comparative aspect showed that balneo-laser therapy is a more effective treatment option compared to hydro-laser therapy.

[Effect of low-intensity laser irradiation as affected by maximum tolerable exercise]. / Vliianie nizkointensivnogo lazernogo izlucheniia pri deistvii na organizm predel'no dopustimoi fizicheskoi nagruzki.

The investigations on albino noninbred male rats showed that low-intensity laser radiation ("Uzor" semiconductor laser, wavelength 0.89 mu, 1500 Hz, exposure 8 min) substantially increased physical work capacity during the maximum tolerable exercise. In addition, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine and malonic dialdehyde increased and the levels of lactic acid and triiodothyronine decreased.

[The clinical efficacy of a one-time course of infrared laser irradiation in stenocardia patients based on 6-month follow-up data]. / Klinicheskaia éffektivnost' odnokratnogo kursa infrakrasnogo lazernogo oblucheniia bol'nykh stenokardiei po dannym shestimesiachnogo nabliudeniia.

As shown by a 6-month follow-up of anginal patients exposed to a single 10-day course of infrared laser radiation, the antianginal effect of this laser treatment manifested 1 month after the end of the radiation, was registered in 80-82% of the patients and persisted after 6-month follow-up in 62.5% of the patients. The therapeutic effect was the highest in patients with severe coronary insufficiency.

[The dynamics of the clinico-functional indices in patients with ischemic heart disease under the influence of repeated courses of laser therapy]. / Dinamika kliniko-funktsional'nykh pokazatelei bol'nykh ishemicheskoi bolezn'iu serdtsa pod vliianiem povtornykh kursov lazernoi terapii.

Repeated courses of laser therapy given to patients with ischemic heart disease, angina of effort class I-IV for 2 years brought about stabilization of coronary insufficiency and improvement of clinical and functional conditions. Microcirculatory picture of the bulbar conjunctiva, coronary reserve improved. The treatment had also a hypotensive effect.

Impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer / Impacto da radioterapia torácica na função respiratória e capacidade de exercício em pacientes com câncer de mama

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose. Results: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da radioterapia torácica na função respiratória e capacidade de exercício em pacientes com câncer de mama. Métodos: Pacientes com câncer de mama com indicação de radioterapia torácica após tratamento cirúrgico e quimioterápico foram submetidas a TCAR, avaliação respiratória e avaliação da capacidade de exercício antes da radioterapia torácica e três meses após o término do tratamento. Foram realizados teste de força muscular respiratória, medição da mobilidade torácica e prova de função pulmonar completa para a avaliação respiratória; realizou-se teste de exercício cardiopulmonar para avaliar a capacidade de exercício. A dose total de radioterapia foi de 50,4 Gy (1,8 Gy/fração) na mama ou na parede torácica, incluindo ou não a fossa supraclavicular (FSC). Histogramas dose-volume foram calculados para cada paciente com especial atenção para o volume pulmonar ipsilateral que recebeu 25 Gy (V25), em números absolutos e relativos, e a dose pulmonar média. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 37 pacientes. Após a radioterapia, observou-se diminuição significativa da força muscular respiratória, mobilidade torácica, capacidade de exercício e resultados da prova de função pulmonar (p < 0,05). A DLCO permaneceu inalterada. A TCAR mostrou alterações relacionadas à radioterapia em 87% das pacientes, o que foi mais evidente nas pacientes submetidas à irradiação da FSC. O V25% correlacionou-se significativamente com a pneumonite por radiação. Conclusões: Em nossa amostra de pacientes com câncer de mama, a radioterapia torácica parece ter causado perdas significativas na capacidade respiratória e de exercício, provavelmente por causa da restrição torácica; a irradiação da FSC representou um fator de risco adicional para o desenvolvimento de pneumonite por radiação.

Effects of indacaterol versus tiotropium on exercise tolerance in patients with moderate COPD: a pilot randomized crossover study / Efeitos do indacaterol versus tiotrópio na tolerância ao exercício em pacientes com DPOC moderada: estudo cruzado randomizado piloto

Abstract Objective: To compare a once-daily long-acting β2 agonist (indacaterol 150 µg) with a once-daily long-acting anticholinergic (tiotropium 5 µg) in terms of their effects on exercise endurance (limit of tolerance, Tlim) in patients with moderate COPD. Secondary endpoints were their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Methods: This was a randomized, single-blind, crossover pilot study involving 20 patients (mean age, 60.9 ± 10.0 years; mean FEV1, 69 ± 7% of predicted). Spirometric parameters, Transition Dyspnea Index scores, Tlim, and exertional dyspnea were compared after three weeks of each treatment (with a one-week washout period between treatments). Results: Nineteen patients completed the study (one having been excluded because of COPD exacerbation). Improvement in Tlim from baseline tended to be greater after treatment with tiotropium than after treatment with indacaterol (96 ± 163 s vs. 8 ± 82 s; p = 0.06). Tlim significantly improved from baseline after treatment with tiotropium (having increased from 396 ± 319 s to 493 ± 347 s; p = 0.010) but not after treatment with indacaterol (having increased from 393 ± 246 to 401 ± 254 s; p = 0.678). There were no differences between the two treatments regarding improvements in Borg dyspnea scores and lung hyperinflation at "isotime" and peak exercise. There were also no significant differences between treatments regarding Transition Dyspnea Index scores (1.5 ± 2.1 vs. 0.9 ± 2.3; p = 0.39). Conclusions: In patients with moderate COPD, tiotropium tends to improve Tlim in comparison with indacaterol. No significant differences were observed between the two treatments regarding their effects on lung hyperinflation, exercise-related dyspnea, and daily-life dyspnea. Future studies, including a larger number of patients, are required in order to confirm our findings and explore mechanistic explanations. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ...

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar um β2-agonista de longa duração administrado uma vez por dia (indacaterol 150 µg) a um anticolinérgico de longa duração administrado uma vez por dia (tiotrópio 5 µg) quanto a seus efeitos na resistência ao exercício (limite de tolerância, Tlim) em pacientes com DPOC moderada. Os desfechos secundários foram seus efeitos na hiperinsuflação pulmonar, na dispneia causada pelo exercício e na dispneia na vida diária. Métodos: Estudo piloto randomizado cruzado e simples cego com 20 pacientes (média de idade: 60,9 ± 10,0 anos; média do VEF1: 69 ± 7% do previsto). Parâmetros espirométricos, pontuação no Transition Dyspnea Index, Tlim e dispneia aos esforços foram comparados após três semanas de cada tratamento (com uma semana de intervalo entre os tratamentos). Resultados: Dezenove pacientes completaram o estudo - um foi excluído por causa de exacerbação da DPOC. A melhora no Tlim tendeu a ser maior com tiotrópio do que com indacaterol (96 ± 163 s vs. 8 ± 82 s; p = 0,06). Em comparação com os valores basais, o Tlim melhorou significativamente com tiotrópio (aumentando de 396 ± 319 s para 493 ± 347 s; p = 0,010), mas não com indacaterol (aumentando de 393 ± 246 para 401 ± 254 s; p = 0,678). Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos quanto à melhora na pontuação na escala de dispneia de Borg e na insuflação pulmonar no "isotempo" e no pico do exercício. Também não houve diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos quanto à pontuação no Transition Dyspnea Index (1,5 ± 2,1 vs. 0,9 ± 2,3; p = 0,39). Conclusões: Em pacientes com DPOC moderada, o tiotrópio tende a melhorar o Tlim em comparação com o indacaterol. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos quanto a seus efeitos na insuflação pulmonar, na dispneia durante o exercício e na dispneia na vida diária. São necessários mais estudos, com um número maior de pacientes, para confirmar nossos achados e explorar explicações mecanicistas. (ClinicalTrials.gov ...