A case study: Effects of foot reflexotherapy on ADHD symptoms and enuresis nocturia in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can occur in association with enuresis nocturia. Alternative therapies may be effective in addressing the maladies of children with ADHD comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot reflexotherapy in a child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient was an 8-year-old child with ADHD and enuresis nocturia. Pre- and post-tests for ADHD were completed using Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale. The subject was treated with foot reflexotherapy for 20-min per session twice per week for a period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: The child showed improvement in ADHD symptoms and his enuresis nocturia disappeared completely after foot reflexotherapy. CONCLUSION: Foot reflexotherapy was effective in improving inattention, hyperactivity in the child with ADHD. The results of this novel study suggest that foot reflexotherapy can be effective in treating ADHD child with enuresis nocturia.

The Effects of Wet Cupping Therapy on the Blood Levels of Some Heavy Metals: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. METHODS: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ± standard deviation, 28.47 ± 6.18] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

The effect of foot reflexotherapy on the dynamics of cortical oscillatory waves in healthy humans: An EEG study.

BACKGROUND: Foot reflexotherapy is a noninvasive complementary therapy that has gained considerable application in several fields of human endeavor. The therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of several ailments. For instance, foot reflexotherapy when applied to the cortical areas of the left or right foot relieves pain and stress. However, the electrophysiological mechanisms of the effect of foot reflexotherapy on cortical activity are not completely understood. While it has been shown that foot reflexotherapy exert positive effects on brain functions, little is known about the effects of this therapy on cortical activities as recorded with electroencephalogram (EEG) in healthy humans. Cortical activity is widely investigated with EEG, a noninvasive recording that is used to study brain activity in different functional states and conditions. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexotherapy on EEG rhythms in healthy humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EEG recording before and after reflexological therapy was carried out in seven healthy right-handed males who volunteered for the study. RESULTS: Analysis of EEG data revealed activation offrontal cortex that resulted to significant increase in beta and gamma spectral powers after foot reflexotherapy (p ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Foot reflexotherapy is associated with increase in spectral powers in beta and gamma frequency bands. Therefore cortical beta and gamma waves of the EEG could be used as measures of functional activation of the brain, related to foot reflexotherapy.

Effects of neurofeedback therapy in healthy young subjects.

PURPOSE: Neurofeedback refers to a form of operant conditioning of electrical brain activity, in which desirable brain activity is rewarded and undesirable brain activity is inhibited. The research team aimed to examine the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) for heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) parameters in a healthy young male population. METHODS: Forty healthy young male subjects aged between 18 to 30 years participated in this study. Neurofeedback application of one session was made with bipolar electrodes placed on T3 and T4 (temporal 3 and 4) regions and with reference electrode placed on PF1 (prefrontal 1). Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) were assessed during Othmer neurofeedback application of one session to regulate slow wave activity for forty minutes thorough the session. Data assessed before neurofeedback application for 5 minutes and during neurofeedback application of 30 minutes and after neurofeedback application for 5 minutes throughout the session of 40 minutes. Means for each 5 minutes, that is to say, a total 8 data points for each subjects over 40 minutes, were assessed. RESULTS: Galvanic skin resistance increased and heart rate decreased after neurofeedback therapy. Beta activity in EEG increased and alfa activity decreased after neurofeedback therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that neurofeedback can be used to restore sympathovagal imbalances. Also, it may be accepted as a preventive therapy for psychological and neurological problems.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on brain oxidative condition after cisplatin exposure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on oxidative events of brain in cisplatin-administrated rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into four experimental groups: 1) control (n=6); 2) cisplatin (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally one dose, n=6); 3) EGb 761 (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 15 days, n=6); and 4) cisplatin + EGb 761 (n=6). After drug administration, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were removed. Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated in brain tissues. RESULTS: Single dose cisplatin administration significantly increased NO and GSH levels, but decreased MDA levels in brain tissue samples. EGb 761 treatment reversed the effects of cisplatin on NO and GSH levels, but did not affect the decreased MDA levels. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that oxidative stress can be an important pathogenetic mechanism of cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. EGb 761, an standardized extract of G. biloba leaves that has antioxidant properties, may improve the oxidative stress-related neurological side effects of cisplatin.

The effect of traditional wet cupping on shoulder pain and neck pain: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a traditional complementary method recommended to decrease the symptoms of a lot of diseases and used in the treatment of pain syndromes. In this pilot study, the possible effects of wet cupping therapy on nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain were investigated. METHODS: Sixty one eligible volunteer participants with nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain for at least 3 months were allocated. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess pain scores. Pain scores were recorded before and after wet cupping therapy. RESULTS: The mean scores of neck pain in study group were 7.02 (SD = 1.8) before and 3.70 (SD = 2.2) after cupping therapy. The decrease of pain scores between pre- and post-test was statistically significant (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: It can be stated that WCT has potential therapeutic effect in nonspecific neck and upper shoulder pain. Future full-scale randomized controlled trials will be needed to provide firm evidence of the effectiveness of this intervention.

Wet-cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. Although it is widely used in various conditions such as acute\chronic inflammation, infectious diseases, and immune system disorders, its mechanism of action is not fully known. In this study, we investigated the oxidative status as the first step to elucidate possible mechanisms of action of wet cupping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wet cupping therapy is implemented to 31 healthy volunteers. Venous blood samples and Wet cupping blood samples were taken concurrently. Serum nitricoxide, malondialdehyde levels and activity of superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Wet cupping blood had higher activity of myeloperoxidase, lower activity of superoxide dismutase, higher levels of malondialdehyde and nitricoxide compared to the venous blood. CONCLUSION: Wet cupping removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress.

Wet cupping therapy restores sympathovagal imbalances in cardiac rhythm.

OBJECTIVES: A recent study showed that cupping had therapeutic effects in rats with myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias. The current studyaimed to investigate the possible useful effects of cupping therapy on cardiac rhythm in terms of heart rate variability (HRV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy participants were included. Classic wet cupping therapy was applied on five points of the back. Recording electrocardiography (to determine HRV) was applied 1 hour before and 1 hour after cupping therapy. RESULTS: All HRV parameters increased after cupping therapy compared with before cupping therapy in healthy persons. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate for the first time in humans that cupping might be cardioprotective. In this study, cupping therapy restored sympathovagal imbalances by stimulating the peripheral nervous system.

The effects of hypnosis on heart rate variability.

Uslu et al. (2012 ) suggested that hypnotic status can modulate cerebral blood flow. The authors investigated the effects of hypnosis on heart rate variability (HRV). In women, HRV decreased during hypnosis. Posthypnotic values were higher compared to prehypnotic and hypnotic values. Women had highest HRV parameters in the posthypnotic condition. It appears that hypnosis can produce cardiac and cognitive activations. Hypnotherapy may be useful in some cardiac clinical conditions characterized by an autonomic imbalance or some cardiac arrhythmias.

Dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine on oxidative stress in the livers of hyperthyroid rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) on thyroid hormone-induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 100, and hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 500. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by injecting 250 µg of L-thyroxine/kg body weight/day for twenty consecutive days. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in liver homogenates. RESULTS: The liver CAT, GPX and MPO activities were significantly lower in the hyperthyroid rats than in the control group. Treating hyperthyroid rats with both low-dose (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (500 mg/kg) L-carnitine for 10 days resulted in a marked increase in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissue. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the low-dose L-carnitine application was sufficient to prevent L-thyroxine-induced oxidative stress in rat livers.

Hippophae rhamnoides attenuates nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat liver.

The effects of vitamin E and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae) extract (HRe-1) on nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat liver were investigated. Four groups, eight rats each, were used in this study, and the supplementation period was 3 weeks. The groups were: nicotine (0.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (i.p.)); nicotine plus vitamin E (75 mg/kg/day, intragastric (i.g.)); nicotine plus HRe-1 (250 mg/kg/day, i.g.); and the control group. The malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and total and non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities were measured spectrophotometrically in supernatants of the tissue homogenates. Nicotine increased the malondialdehyde level in liver tissue compared with control. This nicotine-induced increase in lipid peroxidation was prevented by both vitamin E and HRe-1. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the nicotine plus vitamin E-supplemented group compared with nicotine and control groups. Glutathione reductase activity was higher in the nicotine group compared with the control group. However, glutathione peroxidase activity in the control group was higher than the levels in the nicotine, and the nicotine plus HRe-1 supplemented groups. The nitric oxide level was higher in the nicotine group compared with all other groups. Total and non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities and glutathione S-transferase activity were not affected by any of the treatments. Our results suggest that Hippophae rhamnoides extract as well as vitamin E can protect the liver against nicotine-induced oxidative stress.

Vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract reduce nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat heart.

The effects of vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) on nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat heart were investigated. There were eight rats per group and supplementation period was 3 weeks. The groups were: nicotine [0.5 mg kg(-1)day(-1), intraperitoneal (i.p.)]; nicotine plus vitamin E [75 mg kg(-1)day(-1), intragastric (i.g.)]; nicotine plus HRe-1 (250 mg kg(-1)day(-1), i.g.); and the control group (receiving only vehicles). Nicotine increased the malondialdehyde level, which was prevented by both vitamin E and HRe-1. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was higher than the others. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in nicotine plus HRe-1 supplemented group was increased compared with the control group. Catalase activity was higher in nicotine group compared with others. GPx activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was elevated compared with the others. Total and non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group were lower than nicotine plus HRe-1 supplemented group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in nicotine plus HRe-1 supplemented group compared with others. Glutathione reductase activity and nitric oxide level were not affected. Increased SOD and GST activities might have taken part in the prevention of nicotine-induced oxidative stress in HRe-1 supplemented group in rat heart. Flavonols such as quercetin, and isorahmnetin, tocopherols such as alpha-tocopherol and beta-tocopherol and carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, reported to be present in H. rhamnoides L. extracts may be responsible for the antioxidant effects of this plant extract.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. and dexpanthenol-bepanthene on blood flow after experimental skin burns in rats using 133Xe clearance technique.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present experimental study was to determine and compare the effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) and of dexpanthenol on the blood flow of a wound region, in rats using xenon-133 ((133)Xe) clearance technique. METHODS: Burn wounds were made on both thighs of rats and, HRe-1 and dexpanthenol were applied topically on the wound region only in the right thigh for a period of 8 days. The effect of HRe-1 and of dexpanthenol on blood flow of the wound region was assessed before and after their topical application by using the (133)Xe clearance technique. RESULTS: HRe-1 increased significantly blood flow of the wound region (P<0.05). Dexpanthenol showed a smaller increase in blood flow. In conclusion, our results in rats suggest that HRe-1 increases blood flow of the wound area and can be used for the treatment of skin wound healing, preferably than dexpanthenol.

Effects of nicotine and vitamin E on 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity in some rat tissues in vivo and in vitro.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nicotine affects 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) enzyme activity in some rat tissues, and to see the modulatory effects of vitamin E on this effect in vivo. In addition, the effects of nicotine and vitamin E on 6PGD activity were also tested in vitro. The groups were: nicotine [0.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]; nicotine + vitamin E [75 mg/kg/day, intragastric (i.g.)]; and control group (receiving only vehicles). There were eight rats per group and supplementation period was 3 weeks. The results of in vivo study showed that nicotine activated the muscle, lungs, and testicular 6PGD enzyme activity but had no effect on heart and liver 6PGD activity. Also, nicotine + vitamin E activated the muscle, testicle, and liver 6PGD enzyme activity, while this combination had no effect on heart, and lungs in vivo. When nicotine is administered with vitamin E the increase in 6PGD enzyme activity in muscle and testicles were lower. On the other hand the increase in 6PGD enzyme activity was eliminated by vitamin E in lungs, while 6PGD enzyme activity was increased by vitamin E, which was not affected by nicotine only. In vitro results correlated well with in vivo experimental results. Our results suggest that vitamin E may favourably increase 6PGD enzyme activity in liver in nicotine treated rats, while it has negligible effects on this enzyme activity in other tissues.

Effects of nicotine and vitamin E on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in some rat tissues in vivo and in vitro.

Effects of nicotine, and nicotine + vitamin E on glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) activity in rat muscle, heart, lungs, testicle, kidney, stomach, brain and liver were investigated in vivo and in vitro on partially purified homogenates. Supplementation period was 3 weeks (n = 8 rats per group): nicotine [0.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (ip)]; nicotine + vitamin E [75 mg/kg/day, intragastric (ig)]; and control group (receiving only vehicle). The results showed that nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, ip) inhibited G-6PD activity in the lungs, testicle, kidney, stomach and brain by 12.5% (p < 0.001), 48% (p < 0.001), 20.8% (p < 0.001), 13% (p < 0.001) and 23.35% (p < 0.001) respectively, and nicotine had no effects on the muscle, heart and liver G6PD activity. Also, nicotine + vitamin E inhibited G-6PD activity in the testicle, brain, and liver by 32.5% (p < 0.001), 21.5% (p < 0.001), and 16.5% (p < 0.001) respectively, and nicotine + vitamin E activated the muscle, and stomach G-6PD activity by 36% (p < 0.05), and 20% (p < 0.001) respectively. In addition, nicotine + vitamin E did not have any effects on the heart, lungs, and kidney G-6PD activity. In addition, in vitro studies were also carried out to elucidate the effects of nicotine and vitamin E on G-6PD activity, which correlated well with in vivo experimental results in lungs, testicles, kidney, stomach, brain and liver tissues. These results show that vitamin E administration generally restores the inactivation of G-6PD activity due to nicotine administration in various rat tissues in vivo, and also in vitro.

Effects of nicotine and vitamin E on carbonic anhydrase activity in some rat tissues in vivo and in vitro.

Effects of nicotine, nicotine + vitamin E and nicotine + Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) on muscle, heart, lungs, testicle, kidney, stomach, brain and liver carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1.) enzyme activities were investigated in vivo. Groups of rats were given nicotine (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.), nicotine + vitamin E (75 mg/kg/day, i.g.), nicotine + HRe-1 (250 mg/kg/day, i.g.) and a control group vehicle only. The results showed that nicotine inhibited the heart, lung, stomach and liver CA enzyme activities by approximately 80% (p < 0.001), approximately 94% (p < 0.001), approximately 47% (p < 0.001) and approximately 81% (p < 0.001) respectively, and activated muscle and kidney, but had no effects on the testicle and brain CA activities. Nicotine + vitamin E inhibited the heart and liver CA enzyme activities by approximately 50% (p < 0.001), and approximately 50% (p < 0.001), respectively, and nicotine + vitamin E activated the muscle CA activity. However, nicotine + vitamin E had no effect on lung, testicle, kidney, stomach and brain CA activities. Nicotine + HRe-1 inhibited the heart and stomach CA enzyme activities by approximately 51% (p < 0.001), and approximately 32% (p < 0.002), respectively, and activated the muscle and brain CA activities, but had no effects on the lung, testicle, kidney, and liver CA activities. In vitro CA inhibition results for similar experiments correlated well with the in vivo experimental results in lungs, testicles, kidney, stomach, brain and liver tissues.

Effects of sleep deprivation, nicotine, and selenium on wound healing in rats.

Effects of sleep deprivation (SD), nicotine, and selenium (Se) on wound healing were studied in 50 male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain). Full-skin-thickness burns were produced in animals. Then, SD, nicotine, and Se administrations were applied to animals in different groups. Wound healing was assessed by pathological analysis of wound by counting fibroblasts, capillary vessels, polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PNLs), and by measuring radiolabeled immunoglobulin G (IgG) amount in wound area by radio-pharmaceutical and immunoscintigraphic procedures. The number of fibroblasts and capillary vessels were higher in control and Se groups than in sleep deprivation and nicotine groups, and the number of PNLs and the radiolabeled polyvalent IgG levels were higher in SD and nicotine groups than in control and Se groups. The results suggest that SD and nicotine may delay wound healing and that Se supplementation may accelerate wound healing by preventing nicotine-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Vitamin E but not Hippophea rhamnoides L. prevented nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat brain.

Oxidant effects of nicotine in the central nervous system is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nicotine induces oxidative stress in rat brain, and if it does, to test the effects of Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) and also vitamin E as a positive control. The groups were: nicotine [0.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]; nicotine+vitamin E [75 mg/kg/day, intragastric (i.g.)]; nicotine+HRe-1 (250 mg/kg/day, i.g.); and control group (receiving only vehicles). There were eight rats per group and supplementation period was 3 weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased by nicotine in brain tissue, which was prevented by vitamin E whereas not affected by HRe-1. Brain tissue glutathione S-transferase activities of nicotine administered and HRe-1 supplemented groups were lower than control and vitamin E supplemented groups, while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of vitamin E and HRe-1 supplemented groups were lower than the nicotine administered group. Superoxide dismutase activity was not affected by any of the treatments. Total glutathione level was higher in the vitamin E supplemented group compared with control and nicotine administered groups. Vitamin E might have easily diffused to rat brain as a lipid soluble antioxidant, however, the plant extract, HRe-1, would not have sufficiently diffused to the brain to exert its antioxidant effect.

Sex and handedness differences in hearing durations of the right and left ears in healthy young adults.

The aim of this work was to study the sex and handedness differences in hearing durations of the right and left ears in healthy young adults. The hearing durations were assessed using a modified Rinne test. The hearing durations of both the right and left ears were longer in males than females. In right-handers, the hearing duration of the right ear was longer than that of the left ear; in left-handers, the hearing duration of the left ear was longer than that of the right ear. These results suggest a male superiority in auditory perceptual acuity; a left-ear advantage in left-handers may result in the superiority of non-right-handers in musical tasks.

Beneficial effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on nicotine induced oxidative stress in rat blood compared with vitamin E.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRe-1) and also vitamin E as a positive control on nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat blood, specifically alterations in erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) level, activities of some erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, and plasma vitamin E and A levels. The groups were: nicotine (0.5 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal, i.p.); nicotine+vitamin E (75 mg/kg/d, intragastric, i.g.); nicotine+HRe-1 (1 ml/kg/d, i.g.); and control group (receiving only vehicles). There were 8 rats per group and the supplementation period was 3 weeks. Nicotine-induced increase in erythrocyte MDA level was prevented by both HRe-1 and vitamin E. Nicotine-induced decrease in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was prevented by HRe-1, but not vitamin E. HRe-1 increased the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity compared with nicotine and the vitamin E groups. Catalase activity was not affected. Vitamin E supplementation increased plasma vitamin E level. Plasma vitamin A level was higher in both vitamin E and HRe-1 supplemented groups compared with nicotine and control groups. The results suggest that HRe-1 extract can be used as a dietary supplement, especially by people who smoke, in order to prevent nicotine-induced oxidative stress.