New Trends to Treat Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Review of Epicatechin.

Epicatechin is a polyphenol compound that promotes skeletal muscle differentiation and counteracts the pathways that participate in the degradation of proteins. Several studies present contradictory results of treatment protocols and therapeutic effects. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to investigate the current literature showing the molecular mechanism and clinical protocol of epicatechin in muscle atrophy in humans, animals, and myoblast cell-line. The search was conducted in Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The qualitative analysis demonstrated that there is a commonness of epicatechin inhibitory action in myostatin expression and atrogenes MAFbx, FOXO, and MuRF1. Epicatechin showed positive effects on follistatin and on the stimulation of factors related to the myogenic actions (MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin). Furthermore, the literature also showed that epicatechin can interfere with mitochondrias' biosynthesis in muscle fibers, stimulation of the signaling pathways of AKT/mTOR protein production, and amelioration of skeletal musculature performance, particularly when combined with physical exercise. Epicatechin can, for these reasons, exhibit clinical applicability due to the beneficial results under conditions that negatively affect the skeletal musculature. However, there is no protocol standardization or enough clinical evidence to draw more specific conclusions on its therapeutic implementation.

Fibrin Sealant Derived from Human Plasma as a Scaffold for Bone Grafts Associated with Photobiomodulation Therapy.

Fibrin sealants derived from human blood can be used in tissue engineering to assist in the repair of bone defects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the support system formed by a xenograft fibrin sealant associated with photobiomodulation therapy of critical defects in rat calvaria. Thirty-six rats were divided into four groups: BC (n = 8), defect filled with blood clot; FSB (n = 10), filled with fibrin sealant and xenograft; BCPBMT (n = 8), blood clot and photobiomodulation; FSBPBMT (n = 10), fibrin sealant, xenograft, and photobiomodulation. The animals were killed after 14 and 42 days. In the histological and microtomographic analysis, new bone formation was observed in all groups, limited to the defect margins, and without complete wound closure. In the FSB group, bone formation increased between periods (4.3 ± 0.46 to 6.01 ± 0.32), yet with lower volume density when compared to the FSBPBMT (5.6 ± 0.45 to 10.64 ± 0.97) group. It was concluded that the support system formed by the xenograft fibrin sealant associated with the photobiomodulation therapy protocol had a positive effect on the bone repair process.

Stimulation of morphofunctional repair of the facial nerve with photobiomodulation, using the end-to-side technique or a new heterologous fibrin sealant.

This research evaluated the influence of Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) on lesions of the facial nerve repaired with the end-to-side technique or coaptation with a new heterologous fibrin sealant. Thirty-two Wistar rats were separated into 5 groups: Control group (CG), where the buccal branch of the facial nerve was collected; Experimental Suture Group (ESG) and Experimental Fibrin Group (EFG), in which the buccal branch was end-to-side sutured to the zygomatic branch on the right side of the face or coaptated with fibrin sealant on the left side; Experimental Suture Laser Group (ESLG) and Experimental Fibrin Laser Group (EFLG), in which the same procedures were performed as the ESG and EFG, associated with PBMT (wavelength of 830nm, energy density 6.2J/cm2, power output 30mW, beam area of 0.116cm2, power density 0.26W/cm2, total energy per session 2.16J, cumulative dose of 34.56J). The laser was applied for 24s/site at 3 points on the skin's surface, for a total application time of 72s, performed immediately after surgery and 3 times a week for 5weeks. A statistically significant difference was observed in the fiber nerve area between the EFG and EFLG (57.49±3.13 and 62.52±3.56µm2, respectively). For the area of the axon, fiber diameter, axon diameter, myelin sheath area and myelin sheath thickness no statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05). The functional recovery of whisker movement occurred faster in the ESLG and EFLG, which were associated with PBMT, with results closer to the CG. Therefore, PBMT accelerated morphological and functional nerve repair in both techniques.

Ozone Therapy in Dentistry: A Systematic Review / Ozonoterapia en Odontología: Una Revisión Sistemática

The purpose of this systematic review was to verify the literature available regarding the effectiveness and the biological effects of ozone therapy in periodontics, orthodontics and dental implants. Studies were searched in September 2012. Analyzed sources included the databases PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO, through a combination of key words, dental implants, periodontics, orthodontics, therapeutics. Studies between 2002 and 2012 were included. In vitro and in vivo studies English and Spanish language publications, excluding posters, letters to the editors and conferences. In Vitro and in Vivo studies showed the inactivation of the major periodontal pathogens by ozone. There were divergent results and lack of evidence for the activity of ozone on adhesion of orthodontic brackets, in implantology and orthodontics. Ozone could be considered as a promissory alternative therapy in dentistry. However, well-designed studies are needed to assess the application of ozone in order to evaluate its clinical effectiveness in the field of dentistry.

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue verificar la literatura disponible relacionada a la efectividad y efectos biológicos de la ozonoterapia en periodoncia, ortodoncia e implantes dentales. Se realizó una revisión sistemática en septiembre del 2012 en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS and SciELO por medio de la combinación de las palabras clave dental implants, periodontics, orthodontics, therapeutics. Se evaluaron los artículos publicados entre los años 2002 y 2012. Fueron incluidos estudios In vitro e in vivo y publicaciones en Inglés y Español, excluyendo pósters, carta al editor y conferencias. Estudios in vitro e in vivo mostraron inactivación de los principales patógenos periodontais con el uso del ozono. Hubo resultados contradictorios y falta de evidencia sobre la acción del ozono en la adhesión de los brackets ortodónticos, así como también en la osteointegración de los implantes dentales. El ozono puede ser considerado como una terapia alternativa promisoria en la Odontología. Sin embargo, es necesaria la realización de estudios bien diseñados para, de ese modo, evaluar la aplicación del ozono y su efectividad clínica en el campo de la Odontología.