Effect of Traumeel S on cytokine profile in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model in rats.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis results in significant morbidity and mortality, with current treatment options limited with respect to efficacy as well as safety. The complex homeopathic remedy Traumeel S has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects in the in vitro setting. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore the effects of Traumeel S in an in vivo setting, using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model in rats, evaluating the effects of the medication on cytokine activity. DESIGN: Sepsis was induced in 30 rats using accepted CLP methodology. Following the procedure, rats were randomly allocated to receive an intraperitoneal injection of either Traumeel S (n=15) or normal saline (n=15). At 6 hours post-CLP, serum cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-10) were evaluated. RESULTS: IL-1ß levels were significantly higher in the treatment group (p=0.03) with no significant differences found between the groups with respect to the other cytokines tested. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to in vitro studies, Traumeel significantly increased IL-1ß levels in an in vivo model, without influencing other cytokines. IL-1ß is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been shown to have a protective effect in the CLP rat model. Further research is warranted to examine this finding, as well as its clinical implications.

[On the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy Arnica montana]. / Zur Wirksamkeit des homöopathischen Arzneimittels Arnica montana.

BACKGROUND: Arnica montana is a homeopathic remedy often prescribed after traumata and injuries. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether Arnica is effective beyond placebo and to identify factors which support or contradict this effectiveness. METHODS: All prospective, controlled trials on the effectiveness of homeopathic Arnica were included. Overall effectiveness was assessed by meta-analysis and meta-regression techniques. RESULTS: 68 comparisons from 49 clinical trials show a significant effectiveness of Arnica in traumatic injuries in random effects meta-analysis (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.55), but not in meta-regression models (OR, 0.37; CI, 0.11-1.24). We found no evidence for publication bias. Studies from Medline-listed journals and high-quality studies are less likely to report positive results (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0167). CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that homeopathic Arnica is effective could neither be proved nor rejected. All trials were highly heterogeneous, meta-regression does not help to explain this heterogeneity substantially.

The possible pain experienced during execution by different methods.

The physiology and pathology of different methods of capital punishment are described. Information about this physiology and pathology can be derived from observations on the condemned persons, postmortem examinations, physiological studies on animals undergoing similar procedures, and the literature on emergency medicine. It is difficult to know how much pain the person being executed feels or for how long, because many of the signs of pain are obscured by the procedure or by physical restraints, but one can identify those steps which are likely to be painful. The general view has been that most of the methods used are virtually painless, and lead to rapid dignified death. Evidence is presented which shows that, with the possible exception of intravenous injection, this view is almost certainly wrong.