Different Species of Marine Sponges Diverge in Osteogenic Potential When Therapeutically Applied as Natural Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration in Rats.

A highly porous structure, and an inorganic (biosilica) and collagen-like organic content (spongin) makes marine sponges potential candidates to be used as natural scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to characterize (through SEM, FTIR, EDS, XRD, pH, mass degradation and porosity tests) scaffolds produced from two species of marine sponges, Dragmacidon reticulatum (DR) and Amphimedon viridis (AV), and to evaluate the osteogenic potential of these scaffolds by using a bone defect model in rats. First, it was shown that the same chemical composition and porosity (84 ± 5% for DR and 90 ± 2% for AV) occurs among scaffolds from the two species. Higher material degradation was observed in the scaffolds of the DR group, with a greater loss of organic matter after incubation. Later, scaffolds from both species were surgically introduced in rat tibial defects, and histopathological analysis after 15 days showed the presence of neo-formed bone and osteoid tissue within the bone defect in DR, always around the silica spicules. In turn, AV exhibited a fibrous capsule around the lesion (19.9 ± 17.1%), no formation of bone tissue and only a small amount of osteoid tissue. The results showed that scaffolds manufactured from Dragmacidon reticulatum presented a more suitable structure for stimulation of osteoid tissue formation when compared to Amphimedon viridis marine sponge species.

Single or Multiple Electroacupuncture Sessions in Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Are We Low-Responders to Electroacupuncture?

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of one or multiple sessions of electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with chronic low back pain. The outcome measures were visual analog score (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), low back skin temperature, surface electromyography of longissimus muscle (contraction/rest) and blood cytokines. After examination (AV0), patients were submitted to EA (2 Hz, 30 minutes, bilaterally at the SP6, BL23, BL31, BL32, BL33, and BL60) and were revaluated after one week (AV1). Patients with VAS <3 (VAS <3 group, n = 20) were directed to return after three weeks (AV2). Patients with VAS >3 (VAS >3 group, n = 20) were submitted to one weekly EA-treatment and revaluated after three weeks (AV2). The VAS <3 group showed a significant reduction in VAS and MPQ and increased PPT in AV1, but not in AV2. No significant differences were found in RMDQ. The VAS >3 group showed reduction in VAS and increased PPT in AV1 and a reduction in MPQ and RMDQ only in AV2. No significant differences were found in electromyography, temperature or cytokines. Thus, despite 2Hz-EA is effective reducing low back pain, some patients only experienced reduced pain intensity and improved functional capacity after full treatment.

Antinociceptive effects of low-level laser therapy at 3 and 8 j/cm2 in a rat model of postoperative pain: possible role of endogenous Opioids.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is the direct application of light to stimulate cell responses (photobiomodulation) to promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and induce analgesia; the molecular basis for these effects of LLLT remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of LLLT in the rat plantar incision model of postoperative pain as well as to investigate some of the possible mechanisms involved in this effect. Wistar rats were submitted to plantar incision and treated with LLLT (830 nm, continuous-mode, 30 mW/cm2 , 1-12 J/cm2 ). Postoperative thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity were monitored for 24 hours post-incision. In addition, the animals were pretreated with saline, naloxone (a nonselective opioid receptor antagonist; 20 µg/5 µl) or methysergide (5-HT2C , 5-HT2A , 5-HT7 , 5-HT5a , 5-HT6, and 5-HT1F receptors antagonist; 30 µg/5 µl). Moreover, 24 hours after incision and treatment, the TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in serum were evaluated. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that LLLT at 3 or 8 J/cm2 , but not at 1-2, 4-7, or 9-12 J/cm2 , induced an analgesic effect on postoperative pain. Naloxone, but not methysergide, blocked the LLLT-induced anti-nociceptive effect. Additionally, IL-1-ß and TNF-α production significantly decreased after LLLT at 3 or 8 J/cm2 . Our results suggest that LLLT at 3 or 8 J/cm2 primarily modulates the endogenous opioids system and is not directly mediated by serotonergic receptors. Reduction of IL-1ß and TNF-α may play a role in the antinociceptive action of LLLT. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:844-851, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.