Pathomorphological pattern of paravertebral muscles of rabbits after long-term experimental electrostimulation.

The objective of this study was to identify the histopathological features of paravertebral muscles after long-term Lateral Electrical Surface Stimulation (LESS). LESS has been applied for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents. Former studies reported the negative effect on the mental state of treated patients, as well as functional disturbances of organs, endocrine glands, and muscle metabolism. The experiment was performed on rabbits (aged 3.5 months), (n = 5 in treated, n = 5 in non-treated group). Stimulation was performed using electrical stimulator SCOL-2. The rabbits were stimulated with the traditional long-term lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) method as in clinical applications for children and adolescents. After microscopic examination, atrophy of fibers and cross striation of paravertebral muscles were seen, as well as degenerative lesions, necrosis, and hyperemia. Furthermore, proliferation of nuclei and infiltration of monocytogenic phagocytes mononuclear cells were observed, as well as a wide differentiation of glycosoaminoglycanes in muscle fibers on the stimulated side. However, within the tissue undergoing regression, this resulted in a clear decrease in glycosoaminoglycane levels. The observed lesions may indicate that the damage to the neuromuscular system is an effect of long-term LESS application. Thus, standard LESS therapy may deepen idiopathic scoliosis.

Short-duration electrostimulation in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Background. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of shortening the arduous and controversial 9-hour period of lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) used in the conservative therapy of idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Material an methods. During a 12-year study, 180 children with a mean age of 12.5 years (range 4-15) were subjected to 2-year therapeutic cycles, with LESS sessions shortened to 2 hours daily. Results. The study revealed that the new method gives positive effects similar to the traditional method based on 9-hour sessions. Short-duration LESS was effective in improving the scoliosis angle by 2 degrees on the average after two years of treatment. Especially good results were obtained with an initial scoliosis angle less than 25 degrees . In 76% of the patients, an improvement of 4 degrees measured by the Cobb method was achieved. Short-duration LESS had none of the side-effects that typically accompany the traditional method. Conclusion. Short-duration LESS applied simultaneously with corrective physical exercises is especially effective in the initial period of scoliosis development.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is supposed to be one of the modifiable risk factors that, if treated, may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The relation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) and vitamin levels during AD and its preclinical phase was systematically reviewed. Searches through large literature and trial databases were conducted. Data were extracted from studies and, after quality assessment, analyzed using a meta-analysis software package. Nine qualitatively good case-control studies were identified. The pooled standardized mean difference (PSMD) of Hcy levels (631 patients, 703 controls) was 1.04 (0.44-1.63), indicating higher Hcy levels in AD patients. Levels of folate (PSMD=0.65) (0.34-0.95) (387 patients, 312 controls) and vitamin B(12) (PSMD=0.50) (-0.05-1.06) (387 patients, 312 controls) were lower in AD patients. Vitamin B(6) levels were evaluated in 1 case-control study and were not significantly lower in AD patients. Analysis of prospective cohort studies (2569 subjects) revealed a pooled relative risk for AD in HHcy of 2.5 (1.38-4.56, p<0.01). No specific randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning Hcy-lowering therapy and AD-risk were identified. Prospective studies on the relation between folate, vitamins B(6) and B(12) levels and the risk of developing AD are warranted, preferably in the form of RCTs.