PMID: 

Oral Oncol. 2020 Feb 13 ;102:104524. Epub 2020 Feb 13. PMID: 32062592

Abstract Title: 

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for oral mucositis prevention in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

Oral Mucositis is a frequent and debilitating inflammatory complication in patients with head and neck malignancies and may lead to unplanned treatment interruptions due to intense pain and dysphagia. This systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to determine the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in preventing oral mucositis in this context. The following databases were searched through September 2018, with last search performed on May 2019, for clinical trials: MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Lilacs, ISI Web of Science and SIGLE via Open Grey. From 14,525 records, 4 studies were included in the review and 3 studies were included in meta-analysis. Data from 500 patients (mean age of 53.595 and 54.14 for intervention and control groups, respectively) were analysed. Meta-analysis showed that laser therapy prevents oral mucositis incidence in 28% and 23% of cases during the third and fourth follow-up week, respectively, in comparison to a placebo-treated control group. There was no statistically significant difference the prevention of pain; dysphagia and quality of life were not analysed due to missing. Laser therapy was effective in preventing oral mucositis from the 15th to the 45th days of chemoradiotherapy. However, new primary studies with low risk of bias are needed so a higher scientific evidence can be obtained.

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PMID: 

J Lasers Med Sci. 2020 ;11(1):56-64. Epub 2020 Jan 18. PMID: 32099628

Abstract Title: 

Low-Level Laser Effect on Peripheral Sciatic Regeneration Under the Systemic Inflammatory Condition of Periodontal Disease.

Abstract: 

Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory condition, which leads to tooth loss and promotes a systemic inflammatory state that can aggravate the nerve degeneration. As laser therapy may stimulate regeneration, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the low-level laser (LLL) on peripheral nerve regeneration under the systemic inflammatory condition of PD.Thirry-two male rats were used, distributed in 4 groups: nerve injury (NIG); periodontal disease with nerve injury (PDNI); nerve injury and treatment (TNIG); periodontal disease with nerve injury and treatment (PDNIT). On the 7th day of the experiment, the animals had ligatures placed around the lower first molars. On the 22nd day, they underwent peripheral nerve damage, and on the 25th day, the LLL treatment was initiated, performed for two weeks. The sciatic functional index (SFI) was evaluated with subsequent euthanasia of all the animals on the 37th day of the experiment. The sciatic nerve was collected for morphological and oxidative stress analysis and the hemi jaws for radiographic analysis.Regarding the SFI, there was no difference among the groups in the first evaluation (EV) pre-injury; as for theEV2, after injury, all the groups presented a decrease in these values, which remained in post-treatment. For the morphology of the PDNI, nerve tissue presented larger diameter fibers, whereas, for NIT and PDNIT, fibers had smaller diameters with endoneurial organization. When it comes to the antioxidant system, there was an increase in protein concentration, higher superoxide activity, and decreased glutathione transferase activity in the treated groups. Catalase and cholinesterase did not differ between the groups, and lipoperoxidation (LPO) increased in the PD groups. For the mandible radiographic analysis, it was possible to verify the induction of PD.As for the used parameters, the low-level laser was not effective in increasing the nociceptive threshold, but it contributed to the regeneration of nerve fibers, although the inflammation was still present in the site. However, the treatment was effective in protecting cells against oxidative damage due to increased SOD and increased protein, although the decrease in GST demonstrates the inhibition of this stage of the antioxidant system.

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PMID: 

Physiol Res. 2020 Feb 19 ;69(1):73-84. Epub 2019 Dec 19. PMID: 31852198

Abstract Title: 

Effects of voluntary running exercise on skeletal muscle properties in nonobese rats with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: 

The skeletal muscles of animals and humans with type 2 diabetes have decreased oxidative capacity. Aerobic exercise can improve muscle oxidative capacity, but no data are available on the amount of exercise required. We investigated the effects of voluntary running exercise and running distance on the skeletal muscle properties of nonobese rats with type 2 diabetes. Six-week-old male diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats were divided into nonexercised (GK) and exercised (GK-Ex) groups. The rats in the GK-Ex group were permitted voluntary running exercise on wheels for 6 weeks. Age-matched male Wistar rats (WR) were used as nondiabetic controls. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels were higher in the GK and GK-Ex groups than in the WR group and lower in the GK-Ex group than in the GK group. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (Pgc-1alpha) mRNA levels in the soleus and plantaris muscles were higher in the WR and GK-Ex groups than in the GK group. HbA1c and total cholesterol levels were negatively correlated with running distance and SDH activity and Pgc-1alpha mRNA levels in the soleus muscle were positively correlated with running distance. The onset and progression of diabetes in nonobese diabetic rats were effectively inhibited by running longer distances.

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PMID: 

J Sport Health Sci. 2020 Jan ;9(1):53-73. Epub 2019 Jul 13. PMID: 31921481

Abstract Title: 

Impacts of exercise interventions on different diseases and organ functions in mice.

Abstract: 

Background: In recent years, much evidence has emerged to indicate that exercise can benefit people when performed properly. This review summarizes the exercise interventions used in studies involving mice as they are related to special diseases or physiological status. To further understand the effects of exercise interventions in treating or preventing diseases, it is important to establish a template for exercise interventions that can be used in future exercise-related studies.Methods: PubMed was used as the data resource for articles. To identify studies related to the effectiveness of exercise interventions for treating various diseases and organ functions in mice, we used the following search language: (exercise [Title] OR training [Title] OR physical activity [Title]) AND (mice [title/abstract] OR mouse [title/abstract] OR mus [title/abstract]). To limit the range of search results, we included 2 filters: one that limited publication dates to"in 10 years"and one that sorted the results as"best match". Then we grouped the commonly used exercise methods according to their similarities and differences. We then evaluated the effectiveness of the exercise interventions for their impact on diseases and organ functions in 8 different systems.Results: A total of 331 articles were included in the analysis procedure. The articles were then segmented into 8 systems for which the exercise interventions were used in targeting and treating disorders: motor system (60 studies), metabolic system (45 studies), cardio-cerebral vascular system (58 studies), nervous system (74 studies), immune system (32 studies), respiratory system (7 studies), digestive system (1 study), and the system related to the development of cancer (54 studies). The methods of exercise interventions mainly involved the use of treadmills, voluntary wheel-running, forced wheel-running, swimming, and resistance training. It was found that regardless of the specific exercise method used, most of them demonstrated positive effects on various systemic diseases and organ functions. Most diseases were remitted with exercise regardless of the exercise method used, although some diseases showed the best remission effects when a specific method was used.Conclusion: Our review strongly suggests that exercise intervention is a cornerstone in disease prevention and treatment in mice. Because exercise interventions in humans typically focus on chronic diseases, national fitness, and body weight loss, and typically have low intervention compliance rates, it is important to use mice models to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits from exercise interventions in humans.

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PMID: 

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2020 Jan 23. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 31974720

Abstract Title: 

Antidepressant-like and pro-neurogenic effects of physical exercise: the putative role of FNDC5/irisin pathway.

Abstract: 

Physical exercise has been shown to exert antidepressant effects, but the mechanisms underlying this effect are not completely elucidated. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the antidepressant, pro-neurogenic, and neuroprotective effects of physical exercise and the possible role of FNDC5/irisin for this effect. Treadmill running was used as a protocol of physical exercise (45 min/day/5 days/week for 4 weeks) in female Swiss mice. Immobility time was registered in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Immunohistochemical analyses to evaluate hippocampal cell proliferation, neuronal survival, and neuronal commitment and maturation, as well as expression of FNDC5 C-terminal fragment were performed in the entire, dorsal, and ventral dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Fluoro-Jade B staining was performed to evaluate degenerating neurons in DG. FNDC5 C-terminal and FNDC5/irisin immunocontents were analyzed by western blot. Exposure to physical exercise reduced the immobility time both in the TST and the FST. This antidepressant-like effect was accompanied by an increase in hippocampal cell proliferation, hippocampal neuronal differentiation, and neuronal survival in the dorsal and ventral DG. Fluoro-Jade B staining was reduced in entireand dorsal DG in exercised mice. Finally, physical exercise also resulted in increased number of FNDC5-positive cells in the hippocampal DG as well as elevated FNDC5 C-terminal and FNDC5/irisin immunocontent in the entire hippocampus. The results suggest that the FNDC5 C-terminal fragment/irisin pathway may be implicated in the antidepressant-like, pro-neurogenic, and neuroprotective effects of treadmill running.

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PMID: 

Neurochem Int. 2020 Jan 23 ;135:104691. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 31982414

Abstract Title: 

Treadmill exercise restores memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairments in ovalbumin-sensitized juvenile rats: Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Abstract: 

Studies demonstrate that asthma, especially during childhood, affects the functions of the brain including learning and memory. Exercise is well known for its neuroprotective functions and for its beneficial effects on asthma. We aimed to assess the effects of exercise on cognitive function, synaptic plasticity, and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized juvenile rats. Rats were sensitized by intraperitoneal administration and inhaled OVA. Animals were subjected to treadmill running exercise during the OVA-challenged period. T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine [interleukin (IL)-4], Th1 cytokine (INF-γ) levels, and INF-γ/IL-4 (Th1/Th2) ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and tracheal response to methacholine and OVA were measured. Further, memory behaviors and BDNF levels were measured in the hippocampus as well as long-term potentiation (LTP) was assessed by recording field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the hippocampus. The levels of IL-4 and TGF-β were decreased but INF-γ level and INF-γ/IL-4 ratio increased in the BALF due to exercise in the OVA-sensitized animals. In addition, exercise improved OVA-sensitization induced cognitive impairments, increased BDNF levels, and enhanced hippocampal LTP in OVA-sensitized rats. Exercise is not only effective in the alleviation of airway inflammation by restoring Th1/Th2 cytokines balance, but also is a candidate for improvement of memory and synaptic plasticity deficits partially through increasing the levelsof hippocampal BDNF in OVA-sensitized rats.

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PMID: 

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2020 Jan ;60(1):172-179. PMID: 32008312

Abstract Title: 

Anxiolytic-like effects of treadmill exercise on an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder and its mechanism.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Many studies have proven the beneficial effects of regular exercise on psychiatric conditions. This study was set to explore the therapeutic effects and the mechanisms of treadmill exercise on a time-dependent sensitization (TDS) model which is a classical animal model for mimicking posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).METHODS: Forty-seven rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: CON (control), TDS (model), EX (treadmill), or SER (sertraline). TDS model was developed to evaluate the anti-PTSD-like effects of moderate treadmill exercise with 4-week running program. High-performance liquid chromatography technology was used to determine the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in TDS rats. The expression of key proteins in BDNF/PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway were assayed by the Western blot method.RESULTS: The TDS procedures induced behavioral deficiencies. These deficiencies were reversed by treadmill exercise. Subsequent monoamine assays revealed that the treadmill exercise significantly increased serotonin levels in the hippocampus and decreased dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex. Data from Western blot experiment demonstrated that exercise could normalize the decreased BDNF/TrkB/pAkt/pCREB levels in the hippocampus.CONCLUSIONS: This study deduced that treadmill exercise ameliorated contextual fear conditioning and anxiety-like behavior in TDS model. According to the study, the mechanism involved in alleviating PTSD symptoms by treadmill exercise was due to increased 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and decreased DA levels in the prefrontal cortex. It also involved the upregulation of BDNF and the related PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling pathway.

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PMID: 

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Jan 30 ;341:577172. Epub 2020 Jan 30. PMID: 32028123

Abstract Title: 

Exercise modulates the levels of growth inhibitor genes before and after multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), is commonly used for studies of human inflammatory demyelinating diseases and has been shown to be suitable for studying the effects of exercise on MS pathophysiology. The present study was conducted to determine the impact of forced swimming and voluntary running wheel exercises before and after the induction of EAE on expression of Nogo-A, NgR, and ROCK genes in the brain tissue. A total of 96 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, namely exercises before (EXb, n = 48) and after (EXa, n = 48) induction of EAE. Each group was divided into four subgroups: Forced Swimming + EAE (n = 12), Voluntary Running Wheel + EAE (n = 12), NoEX-EAE (n = 12), and Control group (n = 12). Animals performed either swimming exercise for 30 min per day or running wheel for one hour per day, five days per week for four weeks. Results of Luxal Fast Blue (LFB) staining demonstrated that the degree of demyelination was significantly less in the experimental exercised compared to NoEX-EAE groups (P 

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PMID: 

Neurochem Res. 2020 Feb 3. Epub 2020 Feb 3. PMID: 32016793

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective Effects of Deuterium-Depleted Water (DDW) Against HO-Induced Oxidative Stress in Differentiated PC12 Cells Through the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Abstract: 

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Induction of endogenous antioxidants to act against oxidative stress-mediated neuronal damage seems to be a reasonable strategy for delaying the progression of such diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of deuterium-depleted water (DDW) against HO-induced oxidative stress in differentiated PC12 cells and the possible signaling pathways involved. The differentiated PC12 cell line was pretreated with DDW containing different concentrations (50-100 ppm) of deuterium and then treated with HOto induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. We assessed cell survival, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, TUNEL assay, catalase (CAT), copper and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and performed Western blot analysis to investigate the neuroprotective effect of DDW. The results indicated that DDW could attenuate HO-induced apoptosis, reduce ROS formation, and increase CAT, CuZn-SOD and SOD activity in HO-treated PC12 cells. Western blot analysis revealed that DDW treatment significantly increased the expression of p-Akt, Bcl-2 and GSK-3β. However, the protective effect of DDW on cell survival and the DDW-mediated increases in p-Akt, Bcl-2 and GSK-3β were abolished by pretreatment with the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. In summary, DDW may protect differentiated PC12 cells against HO-induced oxidative stress through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

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PMID: 

Cancer Manag Res. 2020 ;12:1199-1209. Epub 2020 Feb 17. PMID: 32110094

Abstract Title: 

Heavy Water Affects Vital Parameters of Human Melanoma Cells in vitro.

Abstract: 

Purpose: Although regular water is composed of two hydrogens and one oxygen, referred to as HO, a small amount of water on this planet contains alternative forms of elements with different molecular weights because of the addition of neutrons. The present study was dedicated to studying the effect of heavy water (DO), in which the two hydrogens become substituted by deuterium, on the cell physiology of different human cells with particular focus on malignant melanoma cells.Methods: Cells were cultured in regular medium in which the content of HO was gradually substituted by DO or deuterium-depleted water (DDW). Following this, the changes of basic cellular parameters, such as morphology, migration, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and microtubule integrity were examined.Results: It was found that raising the DO content above the standard levels led to a concentration-dependent decrease in proliferation. Lowering the DO levels below this level had no effect. Likewise, elevated DO levels hampered migration. Moreover, cell-cycle analysis showed an increase of sub-G1 cells. Corroboratively, markers for apoptosis were induced (histone-associated DNA fragments, Bax, and PARP). In regard to microtubule integrity, only very high levels of DO (75%) caused partial filament condensation.Conclusion: DO, although chemically identical with HO, shows proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells. These findings give a closer look of this interesting compound.

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