Effect of supplementation with 5,000 IU of vitamin D on the glycemic profile of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: The frequency of GDM and vitamin D insufficiency in Mexico is high. Vitamin D supplementation in GDM patients has shown favorable but non-homogeneous results regarding improvement of glycemic profile. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of supplementing with 5,000 IU of vitamin D on the glycemic profile of women with GDM. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on women with GDM who received 5,000 IU of vitamin D (n=27) or a placebo (n=27) for eight weeks. Changes in vitamin D levels and metabolic parameters before and after the intervention were analyzed. RESULTS: Vitamin D vs. placebo: 25-OHD (32 vs. 26 ng/mL, p=0.006), HbA1c (6.0 vs. 6.1%, p=0.29), glucose (99 vs. 87 mg/dL, p=0.29), insulin (14 vs. 13 µIU/mL, p=0.79), HOMA-IR (3.6 vs. 2.6, p=0.55), QUICKI (0.31 vs. 0.33, p=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with 5,000 IU of vitamin D for eight weeks had no significant effect on the glycemic profile.

Booster Effect of a Natural Extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) That Improves the UV Barrier Function and Immune Protection Capability of Sunscreen Formulations.

Background: Novel approaches to photoprotection must go beyond classical MED measurements, as discoveries on the effect of UV radiation on skin paints a more complex and multi-pronged scenario with multitude of skin cell types involved. Of these, photoimmunoprotection emerges as a crucial factor that protects against skin cancer and photoaging. A novel immune parameter is enabled by the precise knowledge of the wavelength and dose of solar radiation that induces photoimmunosupression. Natural substances, that can play different roles in photoprotection as antioxidant, immune regulation, and DNA protection as well as its possible ability as sunscreen are the new goals in cosmetic industry. Objective: To analyze the effect of a specific natural extract from Polypodium leucotomos (PLE, Fernblock®), as part of topical sunscreen formulations to protect from photoimmunosuppression, as well as other deleterious biological effects of UV radiation. Methods: The possible sunscreen effect of PLE was analyzed by including 1% (w/w) PLE in four different galenic formulations containing different combinations of UVB and UVA organic and mineral filters. In vitro sun protection factor (SPF), UVA protection factor (UVA-PF), contact hypersensitivity factor (CHS), and human immunoprotection factor (HIF) were estimated following the same protocol as ISO 24443:2012 for in vitro UVA-PF determination. Results: PLE-containing formulations significantly reduced UV radiation reaching to skin. Combination of UVB and UVA filters with PLE increased SPF and UVAPF significantly. PLE also increased UV immune protection, by elevating the contact hypersensitivity factor and the human immunoprotective factor of the sunscreen formulations. Conclusion: This study confirms the double role of PLE in photoprotection. Together to the biological activity shown in previous works, the UV absorption properties of PLE confers a booster effect when it is supplemented in topical sunscreens increasing the protection not only at level of erythema and permanent pigment darkening but also against two photoimmunoprotection factors.

NB-UVB plus oral Polypodium leucotomos extract display higher efficacy than NB-UVB alone in patients with vitiligo.

Polypodium leucotomos displayed a synergic effect with NB-UVB in psoriasis, but its application on vitiligo remains understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral supplementation with leaves extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PL) improves narrow band (NB) UVB phototherapy-induced repigmentation. Forty-four patients with generalized vitiligo were enrolled in this randomized, prospective, placebo controlled study. Twenty-three patients were randomly selected to receive combined treatment with NB-UVB phototherapy and 480 mg oral PL twice daily while 21 patients received NB-UVB phototherapy combined with placebo. All subjects were treated with NB-UVB twice weekly for 6 months. Our results demonstrated that oral PL combined with NB-UVB improved repigmentation as well as increased the response rate compared with patients treated with NB-UVB alone (47.8% vs 22%). Our study suggests that oral supplementation of PL and NB-UVB phototherapy enhance the extent of repigmentation.

Heart Rate Variability and Psychometric Analysis in Patients with Hyperactive Heart Fire Syndrome.

Background: Hyperactive heart fire syndrome is characterized by anxiety, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, tongue ulcers, heat in the hands, and palpitations. However, syndrome differentiation is often subjective due to a lack of objective, quantifiable variables. Objectives: To identify changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and psychometric analysis in patients with hyperactive heart fire syndrome. Methods: Healthy controls (n = 33) were compared to patients with hyperactive heart fire syndrome (n = 48) from the Integrative University Clinic of the State University of Ecatepec Valley (CIU-UNEVE). Physiological outcome measures included heart rate (HR), the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal heartbeat intervals (SDNN), low (LF) and high frequency (HF) power, and the LF/HF ratio. Psychometric outcome measures included the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Results: Compared to controls, hyperactive heart fire patients had higher HR (9.6 ± 2.62%), LF (22 ± 4.21%) and LF/HF ratio (23 ± 3.14%), and lower SDNN (21 ± 2.33%) and HF (18 ± 4.61%). Patients showed increased anxiety, both with somatic (33 ± 11.2%) and psychic symptoms (39 ± 10.5%) with more difficulty falling asleep (47 ± 9.9%) and diurnal impact of sleep (31 ± 9.6%). Conclusion: Hyperactive heart fire patients may have a sympathovagal imbalance due to a reduced parasympathetic tone and/or adominant sympathetic tone, which may be at the origin of the observed symptoms of insomnia and anxiety.

Fernblock® Upregulates NRF2 Antioxidant Pathway and Protects Keratinocytes from PM2.5-Induced Xenotoxic Stress.

Humans in modern industrial and postindustrial societies face sustained challenges from environmental pollutants, which can trigger tissue damage from xenotoxic stress through different mechanisms. Thus, the identification and characterization of compounds capable of conferring antioxidant effects and protection against these xenotoxins are warranted. Here, we report that the natural extract of Polypodium leucotomos named Fernblock®, known to reduce aging and oxidative stress induced by solar radiations, upregulates the NRF2 transcription factor and its downstream antioxidant targets, and this correlates with its ability to reduce inflammation, melanogenesis, and general cell damage in cultured keratinocytes upon exposure to an experimental model of fine pollutant particles (PM2.5). Our results provide evidence for a specific molecular mechanism underpinning the protective activity of Fernblock® against environmental pollutants and potentially other sources of oxidative stress and damage-induced aging.

Protective Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Deschampsia antarctica (EDAFENCE®) on Skin Cells against Blue Light Emitted from Digital Devices.

Skin is being increasingly exposed to artificial blue light due to the extensive use of electronic devices. This, together with recent observations reporting that blue light-also known as high-energy visible light-can exert cytotoxic effects associated with oxidative stress and promote hyperpigmentation, has sparked interest in blue light and its potential harmful effects on skin. The photoprotective properties of new extracts of different botanicals with antioxidant activity are therefore being studied. Deschampsia antarctica (Edafence®, EDA), a natural aqueous extract, has shown keratinocyte and fibroblast cell protection effects against ultraviolet radiation and dioxin toxicity. In this regard, we studied the protective capacity of EDA against the deleterious effects of artificial blue light irradiation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and melanocytes. We analyzed the impact of EDA on viability, cell morphology, oxidative stress, melanogenic signaling pathway activation and hyperpigmentation in HDF and melanocytes subjected to artificial blue light irradiation. Our results show that EDA protects against cell damage caused by artificial blue light, decreasing oxidative stress, melanogenic signaling pathway activation and hyperpigmentation caused by blue light irradiation. All these findings suggest that EDA might help prevent skin damage produced by artificial blue light exposure from screen of electronic devices.

The role of the aqueous extract Polypodium leucotomos in photoprotection.

Solar radiation in the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and infrared (IR) ranges produces different biological effects in humans. Most of these, particularly those derived from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are harmful to the skin, and include cutaneous aging and increased risk of cutaneous diseases, particularly skin cancer. Pharmacological photoprotection is mostly topical, but it can also be systemic. Oral photoprotectives constitute a new generation of drugs to combat the deleterious effects of solar radiation. Among these, an extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PL/Fernblock®, IFC Group, Spain) contains a high content of phenolic compounds that endow it with antioxidant activity. PL can administered orally or topically and is completely safe. PL complements and enhances endogenous antioxidant systems by neutralizing superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals, and lipoperoxides. In addition to its antioxidant activity, PL also improves DNA repair and modulates immune and inflammatory responses. These activities are likely due to its ability to inhibit the generation and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by UVR, VIS, and IR radiation. PL also prevents direct DNA damage by accelerating the removal of induced photoproducts and decreasing UV-induced mutations. Oral PL increases the expression of active p53, decreases cell proliferation, and inhibits UV-induced COX-2 enzyme levels. PL has been used to treat skin diseases such as photodermatoses and pigmentary disorders and recently as a complement of photodynamic phototherapy in actinic keratoses. The photoprotective capability of PL has been proven in a multitude of in vitro and in vivo studies, which include animal models and clinical trials with human subjects. Based on this evidence, PL is a new generation photoprotector with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that also protects DNA integrity and enhances the immune response.

Changes in Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Spleen-Qi Deficiency Syndrome.

Many functional diseases are related to dysautonomia, and heart rate variability has been used to assess dysautonomia. However, heart rate variability has not been studied in Spleen-Qi deficiency syndrome (SQDS). Healthy volunteers (n = 37) and patients with SQDS (n = 67), recruited from the Clinic of the State University of Ecatepec Valley were included in the study. Outcome measures were average heart rate, standard deviation of the normal-to-normal heartbeat intervals, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) power, and the LF/HF ratio. Also, intestinal peristalsis, gastrointestinal symptoms (GSs), fatigue, and level of attention were measured. Standard deviation of the normal-to-normal heartbeat intervals (17 ± 2.3%) and HF (14 ± 3.1%) were lower in SQDS patients (17 ± 1.3%) than in healthy volunteers. SQDS patients had higher heart rate, LF power, LF/HF ratio, and fatigue scores (9.6 ± 1.12%, 16 ± 2.1%, 22 ± 3.8%, and 21 ± 4.1%). The fatigue correlated positively with the LF/HF ratio and negatively with HF power. The SQDS group had lower concentration performance (16.2 ± 1.9%) in the d2 test. The intestinal peristalsis showed a reduction (15 ± 1.3%) as compared with control. GS score and peristalsis correlated negatively with HF. Our results suggest that the pathology of SDQS could be associated with a low vagal tone which causes a decrease in peristalsis, increased fatigue, reduced attention, and appearance of GSs.

Extract of Deschampsia antarctica (EDA) Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by UV Radiation and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Exposure to natural and artificial light and environmental pollutants are the main factors that challenge skin homeostasis, promoting aging or even different forms of skin cancer through a variety of mechanisms that include accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), engagement of DNA damage responses, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling upon release of metalloproteases (MMPs). Ultraviolet A radiation is the predominant component of sunlight causative of photoaging, while ultraviolet B light is considered a potentiator of photoaging. In addition, different chemicals contribute to skin aging upon penetration through skin barrier disruption or hair follicles, aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) being a major effector mechanism through which toxicity is exerted. Deschampsia antarctica is a polyextremophile Gramineae capable of thriving under extreme environmental conditions. Its aqueous extract (EDA) exhibits anti- photoaging in human skin cells, such as inhibition of MMPs, directly associated with extrinsic aging. EDA prevents cellular damage, attenuating stress responses such as autophagy and reducing cellular death induced by UV. We demonstrate that EDA also protects from dioxin-induced nuclear translocation of AhR and increases the production of loricrin, a marker of homeostasis in differentiated keratinocytes. Thus, our observations suggest a potential use exploiting EDA's protective properties in skin health supplements.

Aterosclerosis carotídea en el infarto cerebral aterotrombótico del territorio vascular homónimo / Carotid atherosclerosis in atherothrombotic cerebral infarction of the homonymous vascular territory

Introducción: El eco-Doppler carotídeo es la prueba de elección en el estudio inicial y de seguimiento del ictus aterotrombótico. Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos ecográficos en ambos ejes carotídeos en pacientes con infarto cerebral aterotrombótico del territorio vascular homónimo. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación observacional con todos los pacientes (63), que acudieron al Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay", entre octubre del 2012 y septiembre del 2013, con diagnóstico clínico y tomográfico de infarto cerebral aterotrombótico de territorio anterior, a los que se les realizó eco-Doppler carotídeo. Resultados: Se contabilizaron mayor cantidad de placas de ateromas en el eje carotídeo homolateral al ictus aterotrombótico (54,3 por ciento) y la gran mayoría de estos fueron inestables (98,4 por ciento). La placa tipo III (50 por ciento), la irregularidad del contorno (54,1 por ciento) y la estenosis menor del 49 por ciento (57,6 por ciento) fueron los hallazgos ecográficos que dominaron en el eje contralateral al infarto. En ambas carótidas también fueron las placas tipo III (47,1 por ciento), la irregularidad de los contornos (51,6 por ciento), las estenosis no significativas (54,3 por ciento) y la inestabilidad de estas (94,4 por ciento), las que predominaron. Conclusiones: La aterosclerosis carotídea en el ictus aterotrombótico describe mayoritariamente placas tipo III irregulares, que provocan estenosis menores del 49 por ciento en ambos ejes carotídeos y la inestabilidad es casi constante, con una incidencia ligeramente mayor en el eje carotídeo homolateral al infarto. La frecuencia del resto de las cualidades de las placas de ateromas enunciadas, domina levemente en el eje carotídeo contralateral(AU)

Introduction: Carotid echo-Doppler is the test of choice in the initial and follow-up study of atherothrombotic stroke. Objective: To describe echographic findings in both carotid axes in patients with atherothrombotic cerebral infarction of the homonymous vascular territory. Methods: Sixty-three patients underwent an observational and cross-sectional investigation at Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Central Military Hospital from October 2012 to September 2013. They have a clinical and tomographic diagnosis of atherothrombotic cerebral infarct from the previous territory and the underwent a carotid echo-Doppler. Results: We recorded higher number of atheromatous plaques in the homolateral carotid axis at atherothrombotic stroke (54.3 percent) and the majority was unstable (98.4 percent). Type III plate (50 percent), irregularity of the contour (54.1 percent) and less than 49 percent stenosis (57.6 percent) were the echographic findings that dominated the axis contralateral to the infarction. In both carotids, type III plaques (47.1 percent), irregularity of the contours (51.6 percent), non-significant stenosis (54.3 percent) and instability (94.4 percent) predominated. Conclusions: Carotid atherosclerosis in atherothrombotic stroke mostly describes the presence of irregular, type III plaques that cause stenosis of less than 49 percent in both carotid axes. The instability of them is almost constant, with a slightly higher incidence in the homolateral carotid axis to infarction. The frequency of the rest of the qualities of the listed atheromatous plaques slightly dominates in the contralateral carotid axis(AU)

Electroacupuncture and Curcumin Promote Oxidative Balance and Motor Function Recovery in Rats Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition that puts the patient's life at risk in the acute phase and, during the chronic stage, results in permanent deficits in motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Isolated therapeutic strategies have not shown an effect on this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and curcumin, alone or combined, on the oxidative balance, motor function recovery and amount of preserved tissue following a traumatic SCI. Long-Evans rats were divided into five groups: SHAM, SCI, SCI + EA, SCI + Curcumin, and SCI + EA + Curcumin. Nitric oxide was significantly decreased in the Curcumin group; the EA, Curcumin and SCI + EA + Curcumin groups had significantly decreased hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation levels. Motor function recovery and the amount of preserved spinal cord tissue were significantly greater in the EA, Curcumin and EA + Curcumin groups. The results show that EA and Curcumin treatment alone or in combination decreased oxidative stress, improved functional motor recovery and increased the amount of preserved spinal cord tissue following a traumatic injury.

Fernblock Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by Visible and Infrared A Radiation.

Sun overexposure leads to higher risk of photoaging and skin cancer. The contribution of infrared (IR) and visible light (VIS) radiation is currently being taken into account in their pathogenesis. Erythema, hyperpigmentation, genotoxicity or the increase of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression are some of the effects induced by these types of radiation. Extracts of various botanicals endowed with antioxidant activity are emerging as new photoprotective compounds. A natural extract from Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®, FB) has antioxidant and photoprotective properties and exhibits a strong anti-aging effect. In this study, we evaluated the protective capacity of FB against the detrimental effects of infrared A (IRA) and VIS radiation in human dermal fibroblasts. We analyzed the effects of FB on the morphology, viability, cell cycle and expression of extracellular matrix components of fibroblasts subjected to VIS and IRA. Our results indicate that FB prevents cell damage caused by VIS and IRA. Moreover, it reduces the increase in MMP-1 and cathepsin K expression induced by both VIS and IRA radiation, and curbs alterations in fibrillin 1, fibrillin 2 and elastin expression. All these findings support FB as a feasible approach to prevent or treat skin damage caused by IRA or VIS exposure.

Oral Photoprotection: Effective Agents and Potential Candidates.

Electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared ranges produces biologic effects in humans. Where some of these effects are beneficial, others are harmful to the skin, particularly those stemming from ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Pharmacological photoprotection can be topical or systemic. Systemic photoprotection is often administered orally, complementing topical protection. New and classic oral agents (e.g., essential micronutrients as vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, carotenoids) are endowed with photoprotective and anti-photocarcinogenic properties. These substances bear the potential to increase systemic protection against the effects of electromagnetic radiation in the UV, visible, and infrared ranges. Protective mechanisms vary and include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. As such, they provide protection against UVR and prevent photo-induced carcinogenesis and aging. In this review, we present state of the art approaches regarding the photoprotective effects of vitamins and vitamin derivatives, dietary botanical, and non-botanical agents. A growing body of data supports the beneficial effects of oral photoprotection on the health of the skin. More studies will likely confirm and expand the positive impact of oral dietary botanicals as complementary measures for photoprotection.

Nerve Stimulation: Immunomodulation and Control of Inflammation.

Neuronal stimulation is an emerging field in modern medicine to control organ function and re-establish physiological homeostasis during illness. Transdermal nerve stimulation with electroacupuncture is currently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is used by millions of people to control pain and inflammation. Recent advances in electroacupuncture may permit activation of specific neuronal networks to prevent organ damage in inflammatory and infectious disorders. Experimental studies of nerve stimulation are also providing new information on the functional organization of the nervous system to control inflammation and its clinical implications in infectious and inflammatory disorders. These studies may allow the design of novel non-invasive techniques for nerve stimulation to help to control immune and organ functions.

An In Vitro Fermentation Study on the Effects of Gluten FriendlyTM Bread on Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acids of Fecal Samples from Healthy and Celiac Subjects.

Recently, an innovative gluten detoxification method called Gluten FriendlyTM (GF) has been developed. It induces structural modifications, which abolish the antigenic capacity of gluten and reduce the in vitro immunogenicity of the most common epitopes involved in celiac disease, without compromising the nutritional and technological properties. This study investigated the in vitro effects of GF bread (GFB) on the fecal microbiota from healthy and celiac individuals by a three-stage continuous fermentative system, which simulates the colon (vessel 1, proximal colon; vessel 2, transverse colon; and vessel 3, distal colon), as well as on the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate). The system was fed with GFB and the changes in microbiota through fluorescence in situ hybridization and in SCFA content were assessed. GFB exerted beneficial modulations such as bifidogenic effects in each compartment of the model both with healthy- and celiac-derived samples, as well as growth in Clostridium clusters XIVa+b in celiac-derived samples. Furthermore, increased levels of acetic acid were found in vessel 1 inoculated with the fecal microbiota of healthy individuals, as well as acetic and propionic in vessel 1 and 2 with celiac-derived samples. In addition, the use of multivariate approaches showed that the supplementation of GFB could result in a different modulation of the fecal microbiota and SCFA, as a function of initial equilibrium.

An Extract from the Plant Deschampsia antarctica Protects Fibroblasts from Senescence Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide.

The Antarctic plant Deschampsia antarctica (DA) is able to survive in extreme conditions thanks to its special mechanism of protection against environmental aggressions. In this work, we investigated whether an aqueous extract of the plant (EDA) retains some of its defensive properties and is able to protect our skin against common external oxidants. We evaluated EDA over young human fibroblasts and exposed to H2O2, and we measured cell proliferation, viability, and senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal). We also tested the expression of several senescence-associated proteins including sirtuin1, lamin A/C, the replicative protein PCNA, and the redox protein thioredoxin 2. We found that EDA promoted per se cell proliferation and viability and increased the expression of anti-senescence-related markers. Then, we selected a dose of H2O2 as an inductor of senescence in human fibroblasts, and we found that an EDA treatment 24 h prior H2O2 exposure increased fibroblast proliferation. EDA significantly inhibited the increase in SA-ß-Gal levels induced by H2O2 and promoted the expression of sirtuin 1 and lamin A/C proteins. Altogether, these results suggest that EDA protects human fibroblasts from cellular senescence induced by H2O2, pointing to this compound as a potential therapeutic agent to treat or prevent skin senescence.

Acupuncture Points and Their Relationship with Multireceptive Fields of Neurons.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture points (APs) have been emphasized as key elements that generate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. At the spinal cord or supraspinal level, sensory neurons located in the dorsal horn receive an extensive supply of sensory information from skin and muscle receptors through peripheral afferent nerves. The stimulated skin area that influences the activity of a spinal sensory neuron is known as the peripheral receptive field (RF) of that neuron. By considering that a particular AP location involves the activation of one or various RFs, it can be assumed that several sensory central neurons are the site of convergence of the peripheral input generated by acupuncture stimulation. However, stimulation on nonacupoint sites could also activate skin areas with RFs that have been sensitized, and they could be involved in the generation of nonspecific effects of acupuncture, as seen in clinical practice. From the latter, it is suggested that effective APs, and even nonacupoints, are associated with a particular arrangement of RFs, and their study will be useful for understanding the intrinsic mechanisms of acupuncture and for the development and identification of more efficient sites and modes of acupuncture stimulation to evoke optimal therapeutic actions.

Electroacupuncture improves gait locomotion, H-reflex and ventral root potentials of spinal compression injured rats.

This study explored the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation (EA) on alterations in the Hoffman reflex (H-reflex) response and gait locomotion provoked by spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. A compression lesion of the spinal cord was evoked by insufflating a Fogarty balloon located in the epidural space at the T8-9 spinal level of adult Wistar male rats (200-250 gr; n=60). In different groups of SCI rats, EA (frequencies: 2, 50 and 100Hz) was applied simultaneously to Huantiao (GB30), Yinmen (BL37), Jizhong (GV6) and Zhiyang (GV9) acupoints from the third post-injury day until the experimental session. At 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-injury weeks, the BBB scores of the SCI group of rats treated with EA at 50Hz showed a gradual but greater enhancement of locomotor activity than the other groups of rats. Unrestrained gait kinematic analysis of SCI rats treated with EA-50Hz stimulation showed a significant improvement in stride duration, length and speed (p<0.05), whereas a discrete recovery of gait locomotion was observed in the other groups of animals. After four post-injury weeks, the H-reflex amplitude and H-reflex/M wave amplitude ratio obtained in SCI rats had a noticeable enhancement (217%) compared to sham rats (n=10). Meanwhile, SCI rats treated with EA at 50Hz manifested a decreased facilitation of the H-reflex amplitude and H/M amplitude ratio (154%) and a reduced frequency-dependent amplitude depression of the H-reflex (66%). In addition, 50 Hz-EA treatment induced a recovery of the presynaptic depression of the Gs-VRP evoked by PBSt conditioning stimulation in the SCI rat (63.2±8.1%; n=9). In concordance with the latter, it could be suggested that 50 Hz-EA stimulation reduced the hyper-excitability of motoneurons and provokes a partial improvement of the locomotive performance and H reflex responses by a possible recovery of presynaptic mechanisms in the spinal cord of experimentally injured rats.

Fernblock (Polypodium leucotomos Extract): Molecular Mechanisms and Pleiotropic Effects in Light-Related Skin Conditions, Photoaging and Skin Cancers, a Review.

Healthier life styles include increased outdoors time practicing sports and walking. This means increased exposure to the sun, leading to higher risk of sunburn, photoaging and skin cancer. In addition to topical barrier products, oral supplementations of various botanicals endowed with antioxidant activity are emerging as novel method of photoprotection. Polypodium leucotomos extract (PL, commercial name Fernblock(®), IFC Group, Spain) is a powerful antioxidant due to its high content of phenolic compounds. PL is administered orally, with proven safety, and it can also be used topically. Its mechanisms include inhibition of the generation and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by ultraviolet (UV) light. It also prevents UV- and ROS-induced DNA damage with inhibition of AP1 and NF-κB and protection of natural antioxidant enzyme systems. At the cellular level, PL decreases cellular apoptosis and necrosis mediated UV and inhibits abnormal extracellular matrix remodeling. PL reduces inflammation, prevents immunosuppression, activates tumor suppressor p53 and inhibits UV-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme expression. In agreement with increased p53 activity, PL decreased UV radiation-induced cell proliferation. PL also prevents common deletions mitochondrial DNA damage induced by UVA, and MMP-1 expression induced Visible Light and Infrared Radiation. These cellular and molecular effects are reflected in inhibitions of carcinogenesis and photoaging.

Polypodium leucotomos supplementation in the treatment of scalp actinic keratosis: could it improve the efficacy of photodynamic therapy?

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are a common premalignant skin condition. Many treatments are available for AKs. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the most effective treatments. However, major concerns exist on the possibility of PDT-induced DNA-mutagenesis/immunosuppression, leading to AKs recurrence/treatment failure. An extract (PLE) from the fern polypodium leucotomos reduces UV-induced immunosuppression and mutagenesis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of PLE to enhance the efficacy of PDT treatment, reducing AKs recurrence on the scalp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four bald patients presenting at least two AKs on the scalp were alternatively assigned to two groups. Both groups underwent two PDT-sessions one-week apart. The first group began oral PLE supplementation one week after the last PDT session. Evaluation of the effect of PLE supplementation was performed by direct inspection of the bald areas, lesions count, and photodynamic diagnosis assessment at 2 and 6 months. RESULTS: Both groups were homogeneous in terms of skin phototype and previous UV exposure. Mean age was 75.7 ± 7.8 years and 76.5 ± 5.5 years, respectively. Both treatment modalities were successful in reducing AKs number (p < .001). However, PLE supplementation increased clearance rate compared with PDT alone (p = .040). CONCLUSION: Polypodium leucotomos improves PDT clearance and decreases AK recurrence rate at 6 months, suggesting its use as a complementary agent in the treatment of field cancerization.