The Role of Vitamin D in Stroke Prevention and the Effects of Its Supplementation for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review.

Hypovitaminosis D is a serious public health problem, representing an independent factor in mortality among the general population. Vitamin D deficiency may affect up to one billion people worldwide. Recently, the potential association between vitamin D levels and stroke has gained increasing attention. Many studies suggest that maintaining normal serum vitamin D levels is associated with improvement of the cardiovascular system and a reduction in stroke risk. As a neurosteroid, vitamin D influences brain development and function and immunomodulation and affects brain neuroplasticity. It supports many processes that maintain homeostasis in the body. As stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, more studies are needed to confirm the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation, its dosage at different stages of the disease, method of determination, and effect on stroke onset and recovery. Many studies on stroke survivors indicate that serum vitamin D levels only offer insignificant benefits and are not beneficial to recovery. This review article aims to highlight recent publications that have examined the potential of vitamin D supplementation to improve rehabilitation outcomes in stroke survivors. Particular attention has been paid to stroke prevention.

Unusual Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Properties in Adjuvant Therapy Supporting Cognition Impairment in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Cognitive function decline is strictly related to age, resulting in the loss of the ability to perform daily behaviors and is a fundamental clinical neurodegeneration symptom. It has been proven that an adequate diet, comprehensive nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle may significantly inhibit neurodegenerative processes, improving cognitive functions. Therefore, intensive research has been conducted on cognitive-enhancing treatment for many years, especially with substances of natural origin. There are several intervention programs aimed at improving cognitive functions in elderly adults. Cognitive functions depend on body weight, food consumed daily, the quality of the intestinal microflora, and the supplements used. The effectiveness in the prevention of dementia is particularly high before the onset of the first symptoms. The impact of diet and nutrition on age-associated cognitive decline is becoming a growing field as a vital factor that may be easily modified, and the effects may be observed on an ongoing basis. The paper presents a review of the latest preclinical and clinical studies on the influence of natural antioxidants on cognitive functions, with particular emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, despite the promising research results in animal models, the clinical application of natural compounds will only be possible after solving a few challenges.

Nutritional Supplements and Neuroprotective Diets and Their Potential Clinical Significance in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation.

Nutrition and rehabilitation are crucial in post-stroke recovery, especially in the elderly. Since stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability, there is a need to promote special, individually tailored nutrition strategies targeting older patients with low motor ability. Chronic stroke survivors have higher risk of developing nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as sarcopenia, anemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Moreover, reduced motor activity, cognitive impairment and depression might be aggravated by poor malnutrition status. Accumulated data suggest that nutritional supplements and neuroprotective diets can be associated with better effectiveness of post-stroke rehabilitation as well as brain recovery. Therefore, this review focuses on preventive strategies that can improve dietary intake and change dietary patterns. We highlight the importance of neuroprotective diets, the problem of dysphagia and the role of nutrition in rehabilitation. This article focuses on potential nutritional supplements and neuroprotective diets that may have an impact on functional recovery during and after rehabilitation. Moreover, a new approach to post-stroke neuroplasticity including the use of agents from marine sources such as fucoxanthin and tramiprosate as compounds that might be used as potential neuroprotectants with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties is introduced.

The Role of Supplementation with Natural Compounds in Post-Stroke Patients.

Malnutrition is a serious problem in post-stroke patients. Importantly, it intensifies with hospitalization, and is related to both somatic and psychological reasons, as well as is associated with the insufficient knowledge of people who accompany the patient. Malnutrition is a negative prognostic factor, leading to a reduction in the quality of life. Moreover, this condition significantly extends hospitalization time, increases the frequency of treatment in intensive care units, and negatively affects the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Obtaining growing data on the therapeutic effectiveness of new compounds of natural origin is possible through the use of pharmacodynamic and analytical methods to assess their therapeutic properties. The proper supply of nutrients, as well as compounds of natural origin, is an important element of post-stroke therapy, due to their strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and neuroplasticity enhancing properties. Taking the above into account, in this review we present the current state of knowledge on the benefits of using selected substances of natural origin in patients after cerebral stroke.

Pharmacological Interventions and Rehabilitation Approach for Enhancing Brain Self-repair and Stroke Recovery.

Neuroplasticity is a natural process occurring in the brain for the entire life. Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability and a huge medical and financial problem throughout the world. Research conducted over the past decade focused mainly on neuroprotection in the acute phase of stroke while very little studies target the chronic stage. Recovery after stroke depends on the ability of our brain to reestablish the structural and functional organization of neurovascular networks. Combining adjuvant therapies and drugs may enhance the repair processes and restore impaired brain functions. Currently, there are some drugs and rehabilitative strategies that can facilitate brain repair and improve clinical effect even years after stroke onset. Moreover, some of the compounds such as citicoline, fluoxetine, niacin, levodopa, etc. are already in clinical use or are being trialed in clinical issues. Many studies are also testing cell therapies; in our review, we focused on studies where cells have been implemented at the early stage of stroke. Next, we discuss pharmaceutical interventions. In this section, we selected methods of cognitive, behavioral, and physical rehabilitation as well as adjuvant interventions for neuroprotection including noninvasive brain stimulation and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field. The modern rehabilitation represents a new model of physical interventions with the limited therapeutic window up to six months after stroke. However, previous studies suggest that the time window for stroke recovery is much longer than previously thought. This review attempts to present the progress in neuroprotective strategies, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological that can stimulate the endogenous neuroplasticity in post-stroke patients.

Evaluation of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on the levels of some inflammatory cytokines in post-stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Activation of immunologically competent cells results in the overproduction of pro-inflammatory factors, and causes progression of nerve tissue damage. However, the potential neuroprotective effects of these factors in brain damage have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) treatment on the molecular mechanism of inflammatory cytokine activity in post-stroke patients. METHODS: All patients underwent the same rehabilitation program, but the ELF-EMF group were also given ELF-EMF treatment. Both groups have been used in our previous studies. In order to determine the plasma level of cytokines, the levels of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (INF-γ) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) were evaluated, and the level of IL-1ß mRNA expression was determined. RESULTS: After ELF-EMF treatment, both IL-1ß plasma level and IL-1ß mRNA expression level, as well as IL-2 plasma level increased, while IFN-γ and TGF-ß levels did not change. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of IL-1ß found in this study may be a response to ELF-EMF stimulation. It is hypothesized that a neuroprotective role of this cytokine may occur due to IL-1ß-dependent regulation of neurotrophic factors. Further research is needed to explore this hypothesis.

A Review of Various Antioxidant Compounds and their Potential Utility as Complementary Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The etiology of this multifactorial disease has not been clearly defined. Conventional medical treatment of MS has progressed, but is still based on symptomatic treatment. One of the key factors in the pathogenesis of MS is oxidative stress, enhancing inflammation and neurodegeneration. In MS, both reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are formed in the CNS mainly by activated macrophages and microglia structures, which can lead to demyelination and axon disruption. The course of MS is associated with the secretion of many inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators, including cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, INF-γ) and chemokines (MIP-1a, MCP-1, IP10). The early stage of MS (RRMS) lasts about 10 years, and is dominated by inflammatory processes, whereas the chronic stage is associated with neurodegenerative axon and neuron loss. Since oxidative damage has been known to be involved in inflammatory and autoimmune-mediated processes, antioxidant therapy could contribute to the reduction or even prevention of the progression of MS. Further research is needed in order to establish new aims for novel treatment and provide possible benefits to MS patients. The present review examines the roles of oxidative stress and non-pharmacological anti-oxidative therapies in MS.

Burnout and Quality of Life Among Massage Therapists with Visual Impairment.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of burnout syndrome and quality of life (QoL) among Polish massage therapists, and determine their relationship with sociodemographic and work-related variables. Methods A group of 43 participants aged 28-63, who were blind or poor-sighted were recruited for the study. They were surveyed with sociodemographic data questionnaire and the Polish versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey and WHOQOL-BREF. Results The overall level of exhaustion was 6.79 ± 4.45, cynicism was estimated at 7.30 ± 3.43, and professional efficacy was 23.3 ± 5.44. Regarding QoL, the psychological domain was the highest (73.6 ± 10.0), while the physical domain was the lowest (61.1 ± 6.94). None of the sociodemographic variables or occupational factors had any statistical relationship with any burnout subscale. Significant correlations were found between the psychological domain of QoL and marital status (H = 6.570; p = 0.037), years of practice (ρ = 0.315; t = 2.124; p = 0.039), hours of practice per week (ρ = 0.364; t = 2.505; p = 0.016) and private practice (z = 2.393; p = 0.017). Significant relationships were found between the environmental domain of QoL and the place of residence (H = 5.977; p = 0.050) and between hours of practice per week (ρ = 0.335; t = 2.276; p = 0.028). A significant positive correlation was noted between professional efficacy and the social relationship domain (ρ = 0.306; t = 2.056; p = 0.046). Conclusion Job activity plays a crucial function in the psychosocial rehabilitation of massage therapists with visual impairment. This was confirmed by the low risk of burnout, and the psychological domain being the highest of QoL.

Modulation of antioxidant enzyme gene expression by extremely low frequency electromagnetic field in post-stroke patients.

Oxidative stress plays the most important role in the pathogenesis of stroke. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) therapy may be complementary in post-stroke therapy, as it modulates oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of certain antioxidant genes in post-stroke patients given ELF-EMF therapy. Forty-eight post-stroke patients were divided into two groups: an ELF-EMF group and a non-ELF-EMF group. All patients underwent the same program of physical therapy, but the ELF-EMF group was additionally given ELF-EMF treatment. In order to determine the level of gene expression, we evaluated the level of mRNA expression of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. We observed that after ELF-EMF therapy, the mRNA expression of the studied genes (CAT, SOD1, SOD2, GPx1, and GPx4) significantly increased, which enhanced the antioxidant defence of the body. ELF-EMF therapy intensifies the endogenous antioxidant system by increasing the mRNA expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and enhances the effectiveness of post-stroke patient therapy.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) reduces oxidative stress and improves functional and psychological status in ischemic stroke patients.

As a result of ischaemia/reperfusion, massive generation of reactive oxygen species occurs, followed by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) can modulate oxidative stress, but there are no clinical antioxidant studies in brain stroke patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of ELF-EMF on clinical and antioxidant status in post-stroke patients. Fifty-seven patients were divided into two groups: ELF-EMF and non-ELF-EMF. Both groups underwent the same 4-week rehabilitation program. Additionally, the ELF-EMF group was exposed to an ELF-EMF field of 40 Hz, 7 mT for 15 min/day for 4 weeks (5 days a week). The activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was measured in hemolysates, and total antioxidant status (TAS) determined in plasma. Functional status was assessed before and after the series of treatments using Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Applied ELF-EMF significantly increased enzymatic antioxidant activity; however, TAS levels did not change in either group. Results show that ELF-EMF induced a significant improvement in functional (ADL) and mental (MMSE, GDS) status. Clinical parameters had positive correlation with the level of enzymatic antioxidant protection. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:386-396, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Potential of redox therapies in neurodegenerative disorders.

Recently significant advances have been made to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders to provide real therapeutic benefits. There is evidence that persistent inflammation and oxidative stress are the crucial factors of ongoing cell damage in neurodegenerative complex etiology. The variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are the cause of both axonal and neuronal destruction, which is pathological hallmark of neurodegeneration. Therefore, the reduction of oxidative stress is currently one of the main neuroprotective strategies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, by 2040, neurodegenerative diseases will be the main cause of death in industrialized countries ahead of the cancers. The redox therapeutic approch can target: degnerative component, inflammatory/autoimmune component and neurodegenerative component. Redox therapy should not be applied uniformly, and must be develop to target specific mechanisms. This review focus on the main antitoxidative therapies that are used in many countries as a supplements or even as a standart treatment. Aditionally, clinical synmptoms of most common neurodegenerative disordes and centralnervous system structures involved in oxidative/nitrosative stress are showed.

Melatonin redox activity. Its potential clinical applications in neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurodegeneration is the hallmark of many chronic progressive neurogical disorders characterized by specific clinical, morphological and biochemical features. Central nervous system is very sensitive to oxidative stress, which is considered as a key factor of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, many therapeutical strategies are focused on molecules with redox activity to re-establish the equilibrium between pro and antioxidants. Due to the fact that melatonin readily crosses the blood- brain-barrier, concomitant with its safety profile at the highest dosages makes this dietary supplement very useful in possible clinical application in neurodegeneration. Melatonin is currently marketed in several countries as a dietary supplement with no prescription. Clinical trials have shown different effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in several disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin has unique biochemical properties such as scavenging of hydroxyl, carbonate, alkoxyl, peroxyl and aryl cation radicals and stimulation of activities main antioxidative enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase etc.). Moreover, it can suppress nitric oxide synthase. The present paper highlighted the potential clinical role of melatonin in main neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amylotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, in this review the main molecular aspects of melatonin in brain cell protection and survival mechanisms were discussed. Therefore, melatonin is regarded as a potential therapeutical agent in clinical application in neurodegenerative disorders, but this findings needs to be confirmed by the larger, more well-designed clinical trials.

Melatonin Redox Activity. Its Potential Clinical Application in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegeneration is the hallmark of many chronic progressive neurogical disorders characterized by specific clinical, morphological and biochemical features. Central nervous system is very sensitive to oxidative stress, which is considered as a key factor of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, many therapeutical strategies are focused on molecules with redox activity to re-establish the equilibrium between pro and antioxidants. Due to the fact that melatonin readily crosses the blood- brain-barrier, concomitant with its safety profile at the highest dosages makes this dietary supplement very useful in possible clinical application in neurodegeneration. Melatonin is currently marketed in several countries as a dietary supplement with no prescription. Clinical trials have shown different effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in several disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin has unique biochemical properties such as scavenging of hydroxyl, carbonate, alkoxyl, peroxyl and aryl cation radicals and stimulation of activities main antioxidative enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase etc.). Moreover, it can suppress nitric oxide synthase. The present paper highlighted the potential clinical role of melatonin in main neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amylotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, in this review the main molecular aspects of melatonin in brain cell protection and survival mechanisms were discussed. Therefore, melatonin is regarded as a potential therapeutical agent in clinical application in neurodegenerative disorders, but this findings needs to be confirmed by the larger, more well-designed clinical trials.

Melatonin Redox Activity. Its Potential Clinical application in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegeneration is the hallmark of many chronic progressive neurogical disorders characterized by specific clinical, morphological and biochemical features. Central nervous system is very sensitive to oxidative stress, which is considered as a key factor of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, many therapeutical strategies are focused on molecules with redox activity to re-establish the equilibrium between pro and antioxidants. Due to the fact that melatonin readily crosses the blood- brain-barrier, concomitant with its safety profile at the highest dosages makes this dietary supplement very useful in possible clinical application in neurodegeneration. Melatonin is currently marketed in several countries as a dietary supplement with no prescription. Clinical trials have shown different effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in several disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin has unique biochemical properties such as scavenging of hydroxyl, carbonate, alkoxyl, peroxyl and aryl cation radicals and stimulation of activities main antioxidative enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase etc.). Moreover, it can suppress nitric oxide synthase. The present paper highlighted the potential clinical role of melatonin in main neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amylotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, in this review the main molecular aspects of melatonin in brain cell protection and survival mechanisms were discussed. Therefore, melatonin is regarded as a potential therapeutical agent in clinical application in neurodegenerative disorders, but this findings needs to be confirmed by the larger, more well-designed clinical trials.

Long-term effects of whole body cryostimulation on uric acid concentration in plasma of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Uric acid (UA) has been suggested to be a marker of multiple sclerosis (MS) activity. Whole body cryostimulation (WBCT) is a new form of additional treatment and becoming popular in medicine. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the long-term effects of WBCT on the level of plasma UA in selected group of MS patients only with secondary progressive (SPMS) clinical form and verify results with functional state of patients assessed by expanded disability status scale (EDSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPMS patients (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 22) participated in 10 3-min-long exposures of WBCT (one exposure per day). Results were collected before the WBCT treatment and after completion the WBCT series as well as one and three months later. RESULTS: WBCT increased UA concentration in plasma of SPMS patients not only directly after 10 exposures (p < 0.0001) but also one (p < 0.0001) and three (p < 0.005) months later. Furthermore, WBCT causes positive changes in EDSS scale both directly after WBCT (7% lower) and maintain this level 1 month later as well as 3 month later (5% lower). CONCLUSIONS: WBCT may be used as adjuvant therapy via increase UA blood level; it improves functional status of SPMS patients.

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of multiple sclerosis patients with secondary progressive clinical course.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in multiple sclerosis (MS). Melatonin is a potent neuroprotectant. The aims of this study were to determine the actions of melatonin in the reduction of oxidative stress in MS. Therefore, we estimated lipid peroxidation and activities of main antioxidative enzymes in the red blood cells (RBCs) from selective group of MS patients only with secondary progressive (SPMS) clinical form and verified results with functional state. The sixteen (n=16) SPMS patients were supplemented with melatonin (10 mg daily/30 days). Age matched healthy subjects were used as a control (n=13). We determined the level of lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of main antioxidative enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) in RBCs of SPMS patients. Melatonin caused statistically significant increase of SOD, GPx (p<0.0001 and p=0.004065, respectively) and decrease of MDA in erythrocytes of SPMS patients (p=0.00019). Correlation analysis of Spearman showed positive correlation between SOD and (expanded disability status scale) EDSS scale both before (r=0.64, p=0.00756) and after (r=0.634, p=0.00834) melatonin treatment. These results demonstrate that supplementation with melatonin SPMS patients should be taken into account, especially in progressive form of MS.

Effect of short-term cryostimulation on antioxidative status and its clinical applications in humans.

Whole body cryostimulation (WBCT) is becoming popular in medicine and sport as an adjuvant form of treatment since late 1970s. Only a few works concerning antioxidant protection after WBCT have been published. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a ten 3-min-long exposures (one exposure per day) to cryogenic temperature (-130 °C) on the level of total antioxidant status (TAS), activity of selected antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and main non-enzymatic antioxidant-uric acid (UA) in WBCT study group (man n = 24; female n = 22) and non-WBCT control subjects (man n = 22; female n = 26). Moreover, we evaluated the lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances products. Their blood samples were collected twice at an interval of 10 days in both study group and control subjects. The activity of antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation was assayed in erythrocytes, while the concentration of uric acid was measured in plasma. After completing a total of ten WBCT sessions a significant increase (p < 0.001) of TAS and UA levels in plasma (p < 0.001) in comparison to non-WBCT was observed. Our data showed that there was statistically significant increase of the activities of SOD in erythrocytes obtained from WBCT study group compared to non-WBCT controls after 10 days of treatment (p < 0.001). It was concluded that expositions to extremely low temperatures use in cryostimulation improve the antioxidant capacity of organism.

[The effects of whole-body cryotherapy and melatonin supplementation on total antioxidative status and some antioxidative enzymes in multiple sclerosis patients]. / Wplyw krioterapii ogólnoustrojowej i suplementacji melatonina na calkowity potencjal antyoksydacyjny w osoczu oraz aktywnosc wybranych enzymów antyoksydacyjnych w erytrocytach chorych na stwardnlenie rozsiane.

Oxidative stress is an important factor which contribute to the pathogenesis of lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). Whole body cryotherapy (WBCT) is often used in treatment neurological and orthopedic diseases. THE AIM, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to determinate the level of total antioxidative status (TAS) in plasma and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes of MS patients (n = 28) before and after 10 exposures of WBCT (-120 degrees C/3 minutes/day). 16 MS patients during 10 exposures of WBCT additionally were supplemented by 10 mg of melatonin. RESULTS: Increasing of TAS level in plasma as well as supplemented with melatonin and non-supplemented MS patients was observed after 10 exposures of WBCT Melatonin statistically significant increased activity of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes of MS patients treated with WBCT. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study indicate significant increase of TAS level in plasma of MS patients of WBCT treatment. This indicate that WBCT might be a therapy which suppress oxidative stress in MS patients.

[Effect of melatonin on activity of superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) in erythrocytes of patients during short- and long-term hypokinesis]. / Wplyw melatoniny na aktywnosc dysmutazy ponadtlenkowej (CuZn-SOD) w krwinkach czerwonych chorych w okresie hipokinezji krótko- i dlugoterminowej.

INTRODUCTION: Short- or long-lasting hypokinesis is to a large degree the consequence of negative habits of human beings towards a comfortable and more sedentary lifestyle. The period of decreased physical activity can cause disturbance in the balance between systemic processes of the oxidation and reduction, which leads to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress generation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of melatonin administration on the cellular superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) activity in red blood cells of patients with short- and long-term hypokinesis as compared to the group of subjects with normal physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 33 subjects with immobilization. The study group was divided into two subgroups (depending on hypokinesis duration): group A: 15 subjects classified for total hip alloplasty (a short-lasting decrease in physical activity); group B: 18 subjects suffering from multiple sclerosis or the stroke of brain (the long-term hypokinesis). The control group (group C) comprised 17 subjects with normal physical activity. Melatonin was applied at a dose of 5 mg daily, one hour before sleep. The CuZn-SOD activity in red blood cells was determined, according to the Misra and Fridovich method, in two periods: 1) on the first day, 2) on the 10th day (group A), and 30 days (group B) after melatonin administration. RESULTS: A slight increase in CuZn-SOD activity (+3.1%) was observed in group A 10 days after alloplasty and melatonin administration as compared to group B, where a considerable rise in the enzyme activity (+23.3%) was found 30 days after rehabilitation and melatonin supplementation. The average CuZn-SOD activity in both investigative groups was lower than that in the controls (group C). CONCLUSIONS: It was estimated that the short- and long-lasting hypokinesis leads to an increase in ROS generation, what is confirmed by the increase in CuZn-SOD activity. The results of the study on superoxide dismutase activity indicate that oral administration of melatonin for the period of 30 days has a more favorable influence on antioxidative processes than 10-day's melatonin intake.

Effects of the whole-body cryotherapy on a total antioxidative status and activities of some antioxidative enzymes in blood of patients with multiple sclerosis-preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) is not only characterized by immune mediated inflammatory reactions but also by neurodegenerative processes. Neutralization of oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, might represent a therapeutic approach to provide neuroprotection in MS. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in total antioxidative status and activities of chosen antioxidative enzymes, such as: SOD, CAT in erythrocytes of patients with MS before and after using WBCT with control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 patients with multiple sclerosis (ICD10-G35) and 20 healthy subjects were recruited for the study. The examined MS group (n=16) was treated with a series of 10 daily exposures in a cryogenic chamber (2-3 min, from -120 degrees C to -110 degrees C) and program of exercises. The control MS group (n=16) had only exercises. Plasma TAS as well as SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes were measured. RESULTS: The level of TAS in MS patients was distinctly reduced compared to healthy subjects. After two weeks of WBCT treatment an increase of TAS in the whole examined group (p>0.01) were observed in relation to control MS group. There was not increase of CuZnSOD and CAT activities. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest positive antioxidant effects of WBCT as a short-term adjuvant treatment for patients suffered due to MS.