Trilobatin contributes to the improvement of myopathy in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) occurs due to genetic mutations that lead to a deficiency in dystrophin production and consequent progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle fibres, through oxidative stress and an exacerbated inflammatory process. The flavonoid trilobatin (TLB) demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Its high safety profile and effective action make it a potent therapy for the process of dystrophic muscle myonecrosis. Thus, we sought to investigate the action of TLB on damage in a DMD model, the mdx mouse. Eight-week-old male animals were treated with 160 mg/kg/day of trilobatin for 8 weeks. Control animals were treated with saline. Following treatment, muscle strength, serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, histopathology (necrotic myofibres, regenerated fibres/central nuclei, Feret's diameter and inflammatory area) and the levels of catalase and NF-κB (western blotting) of the quadriceps (QUA), diaphragm (DIA) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were measured. TLB was able to significantly increase muscle strength and reduce serum CK levels in dystrophic animals. The QUA of mdx mice showed a reduction in catalase and the number of fibres with a centralized nucleus after treatment with TLB. In the DIA of dystrophic animals, TLB reduced the necrotic myofibres, inflammatory area and NF-κB and increased the number of regenerated fibres and the total fibre diameter. In TA, TLB increased the number of regenerated fibres and reduced catalase levels in these animals. It is concluded that in the mdx experimental model, treatment with TLB was beneficial in the treatment of DMD.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological aspects and bruxism in the Brazilian population: observational study / Impacto da pandemia por COVID-19 em aspectos psicológicos e bruxismo na população brasileira: estudo observacional

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological aspects and its relationship with bruxism from a representative sample of the Brazilian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional Internet-based survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adults to estimate the sociodemographic correlates and characteristics of bruxism, the quality of life of individuals World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL) and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) in the Brazilian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research was collected from May to August 2020. The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1476 Survey forms were completed, and 1265 (85.70%) respondents declared presenting daytime clenching; over half of respondents (843, 57.11%) reported that they have grinding of teeth; and 1054 (71.41%) reported both clenching and grinding of teeth. Most of the respondents (1128, 76.42%) reported a negative perception of oral symptoms on the last month and all (1476, 100.00%) were feeling nervous or stressed during the period of social withdrawal induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, 289 (19.58%) started having symptoms of fatigue or pain in the muscles of the face upon awakening and 318 (21.54%) started having muscle fatigue and discomfort in the teeth upon awakening. CONCLUSION: Findings have shown that all respondents were feeling nervous or stressed during the period of social withdrawal induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and reported bruxism symptoms. They also had lower averages of WHOQOL and SCS, suggesting worse perception of quality of life and self-compassion.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 nos aspectos psicológicos e sua relação com o bruxismo a partir de amostra representativa da população brasileira. MÉTODOS: Foi conduzida uma pesquisa transversal baseada na internet em uma amostra representativa de adultos brasileiros para estimar os correlatos sociodemográficos e as características do bruxismo, a qualidade de vida (WHOQOL) dos indivíduos e a autocompaixão (SCS) na população brasileira durante a pandemia por COVID-19. A pesquisa foi coletada de maio a agosto de 2020. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise qualitativa. RESULTADOS: Foram preenchidos 1.476 formulários da Pesquisa e 1.265 (85,70%) respondentes declararam apresentar apertamento diurno; mais da metade dos entrevistados (843, 57,11%) relatou ranger de dentes; e 1.054 (71,41%) relataram tanto apertamento quanto ranger de dentes. A maioria dos entrevistados (1.128, 76,42%) relatou percepção negativa dos sintomas de bruxismo no último mês e todos (1.476, 100,00%) estavam se sentindo nervosos ou estressados durante o período de afastamento social induzido pela pandemia de COVID-19. Além disso, 289 (19,58%) iniciaram sintomas de fadiga ou dor nos músculos da face ao acordar e 318 (21,54%) iniciaram com fadiga muscular e desconforto nos dentes ao acordar. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram que todos os entrevistados estavam se sentindo nervosos ou estressados durante o período de afastamento social induzido pela pandemia de COVID-19 e relataram sintomas de bruxismo. Também apresentaram médias mais baixas no WHOQOL e SCS, sugerindo pior percepção de qualidade de vida e autocompaixão.