Electromagnetic Fields Modify Redox Balance in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of electromagnetic fields with divergent physical properties on the prooxidative and antioxidative balances in homogenates of the tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines of rats. Material and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, namely, a control group, a group exposed to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMFs; frequency: 50 Hz; intensity: 10 kV/m; magnetic induction: 4.3 pT), a group exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted by mobile phones (frequency: 900 MHz), and a group exposed simultaneously to LF-EMFs and RF-EMFs emitted by mobile phones. After 28 consecutive days of the experiment, the following pro- and antioxidative markers were assessed in the gastrointestinal tract homogenates: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its two isoenzymes (Mn-SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD) catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), total antioxidative capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: In rats exposed to LF-EMFs, higher concentrations of the markers of prooxidant processes, MDA or TOS, were observed in the salivary glands, esophagus, and small intestine homogenates in comparison with the control group. Additionally, in the group of rats opposite to the control, antioxidant activity was observed. The main differences included a higher activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in homogenates of the tongue, salivary glands, and esophagus as well as decreased activity of CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, and small intestine. In animals exposed to RF-EMFs, the concentration of TOS was higher in the large intestine than in control rats. The main difference of antioxidant activity was presented by decreased Cu,Zn-SOD in homogenates of the salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestine as well as CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine. Moreover, in rats exposed simultaneously to LF-EMFs and RF-EMFs, a lower concentration of TOS was observed. Antioxidant activity was presented by a decreased activity of CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Among those applied in the study, electromagnetic fields of a low-frequency caused the most significant disturbances of oxidative stress in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

Myofascial Trigger Points Therapy Modifies Thermal Map of Gluteal Region.

BACKGROUND: Thermal imaging may be effectively used in musculoskeletal system diagnostics and therapy evaluation; thus, it may be successfully applied in myofascial trigger points assessment. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of thermal pattern changes after myofascial trigger points progressive compression therapy in healthy males and females. METHODS: The study included 30 healthy people (15 females and 15 males) with age range 19-34 years (mean age: 23.1 ± 4.21). Thermograms of myofascial trigger points were taken pre- and posttherapy and consecutively in the 15th and 30th minutes. Pain reproducible by palpation intensity was assessed with numeric rating scale. RESULTS: Progressive compression therapy leads to myofascial trigger points temperature (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface (. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that myofascial trigger points reaction to applied therapy spreads in time and space and depends on participants' sex.

Precompetitional Weight Reduction Modifies Prooxidative-Antioxidative Status in Judokas.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study was an assessment of the influence of rapid weight loss on oxidative stress parameters in judokas differing in weight reduction value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 judokas with an age range of 18-30 years (mean age: 22.4 ± 3.40 years). Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidative markers, lipid peroxidation markers, and total oxidative stress were assessed three times: one week before a competition (the first stage), after gaining the desired weight (the second stage), and one week after the competition (the third stage). RESULTS: Between the first and the second stage, the concentration of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH) decreased significantly. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), ceruloplasmin (CER), malondialdehyde (MDA), LPH, and total oxidative stress (TOS) concentrations were the lowest one week after the competition. Linear regression indicated that the emphases on increased weight reduction increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and protein sulfhydryl (PSH) between the first and the second stage of the study. Moderate weight reduction (2-5%) resulted in elevated levels of SOD, Mn-SOD, LPH, MDA, and TOS in comparison to low and high reductions. An opposite relation was observed in PSH. In judokas, the precompetitional weight reduction range was 0.44-6.10% (mean: 2.93% ± 1.76%) of the initial body weight. Concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD; p < .01), manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD; p < .001), and ceruloplasmin (CER; p < .05) decreased between the first and the third stage of the study as well between the second and third one. Before competitions, a decrease in lipid hydroperoxide (LPH; p < .01) concentration was observed. A reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA; p < .05), LPH (p < .01), and total oxidative stress (TOS; p < .05) levels between the first and the final stage occurred. The increase in weight reduction was linearly correlated with the rise of glutathione peroxidase (GPx; p < .05), glutathione reductase (GR; p < .05), glutathione S-transferase (GST; p < .05), and protein sulfhydryl (PSH; p < .05) concentrations between the first and the second stage of the study. Moderate weight reduction (2-5%) resulted in elevated levels of SOD (p < .05), Mn-SOD (p < .05), LPH (p < .05), MDA (p < .05), and TOS (p < .05) in comparison to low and high reductions. An opposite relation was observed in PSH (p < .005). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of weight reduction in judo athletes on prooxidative-antioxidative system diversity depends on the weight reduction value.

The relationship between clinical measurements and gait analysis data in children with cerebral palsy.

Spasticity is a common impairment that interferes with motor function (particularly gait pattern) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Gait analysis and clinical measurements are equally important in evaluating and treating gait disorders in children with CP. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the spasticity of lower extremity muscles and deviations from the normal gait pattern in children with CP. Thirty-six children with spastic CP (18 with spastic hemiplegia [HS] and 18 with spastic diplegia [DS]), ranging in age from 7 to 12 years, participated in the study. The children were classified as level I (n=24) or level II (n=12) according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Spasticity levels were evaluated with the Dynamic Evaluation of Range of Motion (DAROM) using the accelerometer-based system, and gait patterns were evaluated with a three dimensional gait analysis using the Zebris system (Isny, Germany). The Gillette Gait Index (GGI) was calculated from the gait data. The results show that gait pathology in children with CP does not depend on the static and dynamic contractures of hip and knee flexors. Although significant correlations were observed for a few clinical measures with the gait data (GGI), the correlation coefficients were low. Only the spasticity of rectus femoris showed a fair to moderate correlation with GGI. In conclusion, the results indicate the independence of the clinical evaluation and gait pattern and support the view that both factors provide important information about the functional problems of children with CP.