Microcurrent therapy as the nonpharmacological new protocol against Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses an increasing global health challenge and is marked by gradual cognitive deterioration, memory impairment, and neuroinflammation. Innovative therapeutic approaches as non-pharmacological protocol are urgently needed with side effect risk of drugs. Microcurrent therapy, a non-invasive modality involving low-level electrical currents, has emerged as a potential solution to address AD's complex pathogenesis. This study investigates the optimal application of microcurrent therapy as a clinical protocol for AD, utilizing a comprehensive approach that integrates behavioral assessments and neuroinflammation evaluation in a mouse model of dementia. Methods and results: The results reveal that microcurrent therapy holds promise in ameliorating memory impairment and reducing neuroinflammation in AD. Behavioral assessments, including the Novel Object Recognition Test (NOR) and Radial Arm Maze Test (RAM), demonstrated improved cognitive function following microcurrent therapy. Furthermore, microcurrent therapy inhibited expression of neuroinflammatory proteins, including ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in current-treated group. Mechanistic insights suggest that microcurrent therapy may modulate neuroinflammation through the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the prospect of microcurrent therapy as a safe and efficacious non-pharmacological strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), providing optimism to the countless individuals impacted by this debilitating ailment. These results contribute to the developments of an innovative clinical protocol for AD and recovery from neurological injury, underscoring the significance of investigating unconventional therapeutic approaches for addressing this complex condition.

A Pilot Analysis on the Efficacy of Multiple Trigger-Point Saline Injections in Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Retrospective Observational Study.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of new targeted trigger-point injections (TPIs) using isotonic saline in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Of 121 patients with headache who were retrospectively reviewed, 19 were included in this study and were categorized into two groups: those who received TPIs more than four times (group 1); and those who received TPIs less than, or equal to, four times (group 2). The patients received ultrasound-guided isotonic saline injections into the active trigger points once weekly. The primary outcome was an effect on headache intensity, determined using the visual analog scale (VAS), whereas the secondary outcome was an effect on quality of life, evaluated using the Henry Ford Hospital Headache Disability Inventory (HDI). The mean symptom duration of the 19 patients (11 men and 8 women; mean age, 52.5 years; and range, 23−81 years) was 16 months. The most frequently injected muscle was the splenius capitis. Patient demographics were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Simple linear regression revealed that symptom duration (p = 0.001) and baseline VAS score (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with the number of injections. At one month after the first injection, the mean VAS and HDI scores in group 2 were significantly lower than those in group 1 (p < 0.05), whereas the scores significantly decreased immediately after the last injection in both groups (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were reported in any patient. Our results indicate that the administration of new targeted TPIs using isotonic saline into the head and neck muscles of patients with CTTH can effectively relieve headache intensity and safely improve their quality of life.

Therapeutic effect of microcurrent on calf muscle atrophy in immobilized rabbit.

INTRODUCTION: Immobilization causes significant muscle loss. In this study we assessed the regenerative effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation (MES) on gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) atrophy induced by immobilization by cast (IC) in rabbits. METHODS: Fifteen rabbits were divided into 3 groups: IC (group 1); IC and free re-ambulation for 2 weeks after cast removal (CR) (group 2); and IC and MES for 2 weeks after CR (group 3). We evaluated clinical parameters (calf circumference, compound muscle action potential of tibial nerve, and thickness of GCM by ultrasound), histomorphometric data (muscle composition and cross-sectional area), and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mean atrophic changes in clinical parameters in group 3 were significantly less than those in groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Histomophometric and immunohistochemical parameters in group 3 were significantly greater than those in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: MES prevents muscle atrophy and facilitates regeneration of muscle. Muscle Nerve 58: 270-276, 2018.

Alterations in Pharmacokinetics of Gemcitabine and Erlotinib by Concurrent Administration of Hyangsayukgunja-Tang, a Gastroprotective Herbal Medicine.

Gemcitabine and erlotinib are the chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of various cancers and their combination is being accepted as a first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Hyangsayukgunja-tang (HYT) is a traditional oriental medicine used in various digestive disorders and potentially helpful to treat gastrointestinal adverse effects related to chemotherapy. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of HYT on the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib given simultaneously in rats. Rats were pretreated with HYT at an oral dose of 1200 mg/kg/day once daily for a single day or 14 consecutive days. Immediately after pretreatment with HYT, gemcitabine and erlotinib were administered by intravenous injection (10 mg/kg) and oral administration (20 mg/kg), respectively. The effects of HYT on pharmacokinetics of the two drugs were estimated by non-compartmental analysis and pharmacokinetic modeling. The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib were not altered by single dose HYT pretreatment. However, the plasma levels of OSI-420 and OSI-413, active metabolites of erlotinib, were significantly decreased in the multiple dose HYT pretreatment group. The pharmacokinetic model estimated increased systemic clearances of OSI-420 and OSI-413 by multiple doses of HYT. These data suggest that HYT may affect the elimination of OSI-420 and OSI-413.

Effect of Sipjeondaebo-Tang on the Pharmacokinetics of S-1, an Anticancer Agent, in Rats Evaluated by Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling.

S-1 (TS-1®) is an oral fluoropyrimidine anticancer agent containing tegafur, oteracil, and gimeracil. Sipjeondaebo-tang (SDT) is a traditional oriental herbal medicine that has potential to alleviate chemotherapy-related adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of SDT on the pharmacokinetics of S-1. Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with a single dose or repeated doses of SDT for seven consecutive days (1200 mg/kg/day). After the completion of pretreatment with SDT, S-1 was orally administered and plasma concentrations of tegafur, its active metabolite 5-FU, and gimeracil were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to evaluate the effect of SDT on pharmacokinetics of tegafur and 5-FU. Although a single dose of SDT did not have any significant effect, the absorption rate of tegafur decreased, and the plasma levels of 5-FU reduced significantly in rats pretreated with SDT for seven days in parallel to the decreased gimeracil concentrations. Population pharmacokinetic modeling also showed the enhanced elimination of 5-FU in the SDT-pretreated group. Repeated doses of SDT may inhibit the absorption of gimeracil, an inhibitor of 5-FU metabolism, resulting in enhanced elimination of 5-FU and decrease its plasma level.

Short-term microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation to improve muscle function in the elderly: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) has been suggested to improve muscle function and restore damaged muscle. However, current evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of this therapy in age-dependent muscle weakness. Therefore, a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effects of short-term MENS on muscle function in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 38 healthy elderly participants aged 65 years and above were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 stimulation groups: real or sham MENS group. Real or sham MENS were applied to the 8 anatomical points of the dominant arm and leg during the course of 40 minutes. We performed muscle function tests at baseline and after the intervention: the handgrip strength tests (HGS, kg), the root mean square values (RMS, µV), and the single leg heel-rise tests (HRT) to determine changes in the strength, activity, and endurance of the elderly muscle, respectively. RESULTS: In the real MENS group, the mean values of the HGS and the number of plantar flexions were significantly increased, but the RMS value of the electromyography signal was significantly decreased after the real intervention (P < .05). However, the sham MENS group showed a significant decrease in the number of plantar flexions and the total time for HRT after the sham stimulation (P < .05). The mean difference in the RMS value was significantly lower, but the number of plantar flexions and the total time for HRT was significantly higher in the real MENS group than in the sham MENS group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that short-term application of MENS may play a partial role in enhancing physical activities of the elderly, as it can improve some muscle function.

Pharmacokinetic alteration of baclofen by multiple oral administration of herbal medicines in rats.

The potential pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction of conventional western drug, baclofen, and oriental medications Oyaksungisan (OY) and Achyranthes bidentata radix (AB) extract for the treatment of spasticity has been evaluated. Rats were pretreated with distilled water (DW), OY, or AB extract by oral administration every day for 7 days. After 10 min of the final dose of DW or each herbal medication, baclofen (1 mg/kg) was given by oral administration and plasma concentrations of baclofen were determined by LC/MS/MS. The plasma baclofen concentration-time profiles were then analyzed by noncompartmental analysis and a population PK model was developed. Baclofen was rapidly absorbed, showed biexponential decline with elimination half-life of 3.42-4.10 hr, and mostly excreted into urine. The PK of baclofen was not affected by AB extract pretreatment. However, significantly lower maximum plasma concentration (C max) and longer time to reach C max (T max) were observed in OY pretreated rats without changes in the area under the curve (AUC) and the fraction excreted into urine (F urine). The absorption rate (K a ) of baclofen was significantly decreased in OY pretreated rats. These data suggested that repeated doses of OY might delay the absorption of baclofen without changes in extent of absorption, which needs further evaluation for clinical significance.

Efficacy of microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a combination of therapeutic exercise and ultrasound with or without additional microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: An outpatient rehabilitation clinic in a tertiary university hospital. SUBJECTS: Infants (n = 20) with congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 comprised 10 infants who received therapeutic exercise with ultrasound alone and Group 2 comprised 10 infants who received the same treatment with microcurrent therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Passive cervical rotational range of motion was measured at before treatment and one, two, three, and six months after initial treatment. Thickness, cross-sectional area, and red pixel intensity on colour histograms, which were all assessed before treatment and at three months after initial treatment. Additionally, the duration of treatment was measured. RESULTS: The mean passive cervical rotational range of motion measured at three months posttreatment was significantly greater in Group 2 (101.1°) than that in Group 1 (86.4°), and the thickness, cross-sectional area, and red pixel intensity of the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle were all less in Group 2 (7.8 mm, 100.3 mm(2), and 126.1, respectively) than those in Group 1 (9.6 mm, 121.5 mm2, and 140.5, respectively). The mean duration of treatment was significantly shorter in Group 2 (2.6 months) than in Group 1 (6.3 months). CONCLUSIONS: Microcurrent therapy may increase the efficacy of therapeutic exercise with ultrasound for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis involving the entire sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Therapeutic effect of microcurrent therapy in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether microcurrent therapy is therapeutically effective in infants with torticollis. DESIGN: Prospective, unblinded, controlled trial. SETTING: Bundang CHA Hospital. SUBJECTS: Fifteen infants were included in this study who received torticollis treatment from April to July 2008. The control group (CG) included 8 infants (3 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 7.1 months. The experimental group (EG) included 7 infants (6 male, one female) with a mean age of 10 months. METHODS: The CG underwent stretching exercises for 30 minutes after ultrasound therapy and the EG underwent stretching exercises for 2 minutes after microcurrent therapy for 30 minutes. Each group received 3 treatments per week for 2 consecutive weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements included head tilting angle at supine (TA) and neck rotation range of motion to the affected side (RR) at the first day and the 14th day of treatment. The incidence of crying during therapy also was recorded. The results were assessed by Mann-Whitney U and the Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: In the CG, 4 infants showed TA improvement, one infant showed RR improvement, and 8 infants cried during therapy. In the EG, 6 infants showed TA improvement, 5 infants showed RR improvement, and 3 infants cried during therapy. In the CG, mean TA was 16.3 +/- 9.2 degrees at the first day and 13.9 +/- 8.2 degrees at the 14th day of treatment. In the EG, mean TA was 15.7 +/- 8.2 degrees at the first day and 6.7 +/- 4.3 degrees at the 14th day of treatment. TA improvement was greater in the EG (P < .01) as compared with the CG. In the CG, mean RR was 65.0 +/- 24.6 degrees at the first day and 66.3 +/- 25.7 degrees at the 14th day of treatment. In the EG, mean RR was 70.0 +/- 11.5 degrees at the first day and 80.7 +/- 6.7 degrees at the 14th day of treatment. RR showed greater improvement in the EG (P < .05). The incidence of crying during therapy was significantly lower in the EG (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Microcurrent therapy in infants with torticollis appears more effective in improving TA and RR and shows better therapeutic compliance than traditional therapy.