The Efficacy of Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPI®) and Nutritional Factors for the Treatment of Induced Tendinopathy in Wistar Rats: Hepatic Intermediary Metabolism Effects.

Achilles tendinopathy (TP) is characterized as the third most common disease of the musculoskeletal system, and occurs in three phases. There is currently no evidence of effective treatment for this medical condition. In this study, the modulatory effects of the minimally invasive technique intratissue percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) and combinations of EPI with four nutritional factors included in the diet, hydroxytyrosol (HT), maslinic acid (MA), glycine, and aspartate (AA), on hepatic intermediary metabolism was examined in Wistar rats with induced tendinopathy at various stages of TP. Results obtained showed that induced tendinopathy produced alterations in the liver intermediary metabolisms of the rats. Regarding carbohydrate metabolism, a reduction in the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes in the later stages of TP was observed following treatment with EPI alone. Among the combined treatments using nutritional factors with EPI, HT+EPI and AA+EPI had the greatest effect on reducing inflammation in the late stages of TP. In terms of lipid metabolism, the HT+EPI and AA+EPI groups showed a decrease in lipogenesis. In protein metabolism, the HT+EPI group more effectively reduced the inflammatory effects of induced TP. Treatment with EPI combined with nutritional factors might help regulate intermediary metabolism in TP disease and reduce the inflammation process.

Effect of Nutraceutical Factors on Hepatic Intermediary Metabolism in Wistar Rats with Induced Tendinopathy.

Tendinopathy (TP) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by local inflammation, pain in the affected area, and loss of performance, preceded by tendon injury. The disease develops in three phases: Inflammatory phase, proliferative phase, and remodeling phase. There are currently no proven treatments for early reversal of this type of injury. However, the metabolic pathways of the transition metabolism, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the organism, are known. These metabolic pathways can be modified by a number of external factors, such as nutritional supplements. In this study, the modulatory effect of four dietary supplements, maslinic acid (MA), hydroxytyrosol (HT), glycine, and aspartate (AA), on hepatic intermediary metabolism was observed in Wistar rats with induced tendinopathy at different stages of the disease. Induced tendinopathy in rats produces alterations in the liver intermediary metabolism. Nutraceutical treatments modify the intermediary metabolism in the different phases of tendinopathy, so AA treatment produced a decrease in carbohydrate metabolism. In lipid metabolism, MA and AA caused a decrease in lipogenesis at the tendinopathy and increased fatty acid oxidation. In protein metabolism, MA treatment increased GDH and AST activity; HT decreased ALT activity; and the AA treatment does not cause any alteration. Use of nutritional supplements of diet could help to regulate the intermediary metabolism in the TP.

Effects of environmental factors on the oxidative status of Anemonia viridis in aquaculture systems.

Due to its depletion in natural settings, the potential for aquaculture of the cnidarian Anemonia viridis is currently attracting research interest. Knowledge about the physiology of this species is necessary to ensure optimal development of, and well-being in, aquaculture. This study tested the effects of different abiotic (limited sunlight, brackish water) and biotic (integrated multitrophic aquaculture or IMTA) conditions on A. viridis in captivity. Growth and reproduction were measured, and antioxidant status was evaluated in tentacular and columnar tissues as antioxidant enzymatic activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase), Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and tissue lipid peroxidation (MDA). Animals in the brackish water and IMTA treatments displayed significant changes in glutathione peroxidase, glucose 6-phospate dehydrogenase and TEAC compared to control anemones, with these effects noted primarily in columnar tissue. These results support the relevance of enzymatic pathways involving glutathione as antioxidant mechanisms under osmotic disturbances or ecological interactions. Limited light intensity was not found to be detrimental to the oxidative status of the anemones, despite A. viridis harbouring photosynthetic symbionts, and enhanced growth performance parameters suggested a higher individual weight increase than in control conditions. Lipid peroxidation was not significantly affected in any experimental condition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) suggested that similar antioxidant status parameters can correlate positively (tentacular parameters) or negatively (columnar parameters) with MDA concentration. In conclusion, aquaculture of Anemonia viridis can be improved under suitable environmental conditions supported by the evaluation of welfare markers based on antioxidant status.