PMID: 

Curr Mol Med. 2019 Nov 5. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31702499

Abstract Title: 

Effects of hydrogen-rich water on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: 

AIMS: To confirm the effects of hydrogen-rich water on apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).BACKGROUND: 5 signaling pathways involved in the effect of hydrogen-rich water on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) were analyzed.OBJECTIVE: The effects of hydrogen-rich water on apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were studied in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).METHOD: Sixty rats were divided randomly into a hydrogen-rich water group and control group. The hearts were removed and were fixed in a Langendorff device. The control group was perfused with K-R solution, and the hydrogen-rich water group was perfused with K-R solution + hydrogen-rich water. The two groups were then divided randomly into pre-ischemic period, ischemic period and reperfusion period groups, 10 rats per group, which were subjected to reverse perfusion for 10 min, normal treatment for 20 min, and reperfusion for 20 min, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, FoxO1, Bim and Caspase-3 in each group were detected by RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting.RESULT: The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly activated, while FoxO1, Bim, and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in the hydrogen-rich water group compared with those in the pre-ischemic and ischemic phase groups. PI3K, AKT and p-AKT mRNA and protein expression levels were increased, while the FoxO1, Bim and Caspase-3 expression levels were significantly decreased in the hydrogen-water group compared with those in the control group in the ischemia-reperfusion phase (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Hydrogen-rich water can activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts, and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

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PMID: 

Int J Biometeorol. 2019 Sep ;63(9):1161-1170. Epub 2019 Jun 3. PMID: 31161236

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy of baths with mineral-medicinal water in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract: 

The layout of this study, designed as a randomized crossover clinical trial, is to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention with mineral-medicinal water from As Burgas (Ourense) in patients suffering from fibromyalgia. This sample was randomly divided into two groups: group A and group B. In phase 1, group A had 14 baths in thermal water for a month and standard pharmacological treatment; group B, standard pharmacological treatment. Washout period is 3 months. In phase 2, group A had standard treatment and group B had 14 baths in thermal water for a month plus standard treatment. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used; this grades the impact of the illness from 1 (minimum) to 10 (maximum), which was measured in both phases. Twenty-five patients were included in each group and the study was concluded with 20 patients in group A and 20 in group B. The intervention group obtained, once the baths finished, a mean score of 60.3 (± 11.8) and the control group of 70.8 (± 13.0) (p 

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PMID: 

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Nov 20. Epub 2019 Nov 20. PMID: 31747468

Abstract Title: 

Does Green Tea Extract Enhance the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Exercise on Fat Loss?

Abstract: 

AIMS: Green tea extract (GTE) can exert anti-obesity and inflammatory effects. Our study determined whether the benefits of GTE are summative with exercise-induced changes in anthropometric indices, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin and irisin in inactive overweight women.METHODS: Thirty overweight female participants were randomized to three groups: endurance training + placebo (ET+P); endurance training + GTE (ET +GTE); and Control (no exercise) + placebo (Control, N=10). The exercise intervention consisted of an eight-week endurance-training program of three sessions per week [aerobics, aerobic circuit training, and fast walking or jogging at a moderate intensity of 40-59% of the heart rate reserve]. The dose of GTE used was 500 mg/d in the form of a green tea capsule.RESULTS: Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and body fat percentage (BFP) were decreased in both ET+P and ET+GTE interventions (P

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PMID: 

Cell Biol Int. 2019 Nov 23. Epub 2019 Nov 23. PMID: 31758641

Abstract Title: 

Effects of flavonoids on tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract: 

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue is associated with tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. While clinical outcomes have recently improved for HPV-positive patients in general, 50% of patients suffering from tongue cancer die within 5 years of being diagnosed. Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites with a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Flavonoids have generated high interest as therapeutic agents owing to their low toxicity and their effects on a large variety of cancer cell types. In this literature review, we evaluate the actions of flavonoids on SCC of the tongue demonstrated in both in vivo and in vitro models. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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PMID: 

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 May 17 ;20(1):221. Epub 2019 May 17. PMID: 31096958

Abstract Title: 

Green exercise and mg-ca-SOthermal balneotherapy for the treatment of non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Non-specific chronic low back pain (nscLBP) has a high socio-economic relevance due to its high incidence, prevalence and associated costs. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate effective therapeutic strategies. This study examines the effects of moderate mountain exercise and spa therapy on orthopedic and psychophysiological parameters. Based on a three-armed randomized controlled trial, guided mountain hiking tours and balneotherapy in thermal water were compared to a control group.METHODS: Eighty patients with diagnosed nscLBP were separated into three groups: The two intervention groups GE (green exercise) and GEBT (green exercise and balneotherapy) undertook daily mountain hiking tours, whereas the GEBT group got an additional treatment with baths in Mg-Ca-SOthermal water. The third group (CO) received no intervention. GE and GEBT group were treated for 6 days; all groups were followed up for 120 days.RESULTS: Compared to GE and CO group, the GEBT treatment showed significant improvements of pain, some orthopedic parameters, health-related quality of life and mental well-being in patients with nscLBP.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirmed a benefit of mountain hiking combined with Mg-Ca-SOspa therapy as a multimodal treatment of patients with nscLBP. Further studies should focus on long-term-effects of this therapeutic approach.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN99926592 . Registered 06. July 2018 – Retrospectively registered.

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PMID: 

Int J Biometeorol. 2019 Dec ;63(12):1555-1568. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31367893

Abstract Title: 

Effect of balneotherapy on pain and fatigue in elderly with knee osteoarthritis receiving physical therapy: a randomized trial.

Abstract: 

This study aimed to investigate whether balneotherapy (BT) applied in combination with physical therapy (PT) has a more positive effect in patients aged 65 years and older with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) compared to PT alone. A total of 305 individuals were randomized into two groups. Group I was applied PT alone; group II was applied PT + BT. Assessments were made using the Pain (VAS), EQ-5D-3L Scale, Western Ontario And McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) Scale, Epworth Sleepiness scale (EPWORTH) and the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology-The Osteoarthritis Research Society International set of responder criteria for osteoarthritis (OMERACT-OARSI) at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of treatment. Statistically significant interactions found between treatment (PT alone or PT + BT) and time (before treatment and after treatment) in terms of Pain-VAS, Pain-WOMAC, Stiffness-WOMAC, Physical Function-WOMAC, Total-WOMAC, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, FACIT-F, and EPWORTH scores (p 

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PMID: 

Int J Biometeorol. 2019 Oct 11. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31605208

Abstract Title: 

Balneotherapy for musculoskeletal pain: does the mineral content matter?

Abstract: 

Musculoskeletal pain is a health challenge with various treatment strategies. The study has been accomplished with the aim to reveal the effect of mineral water with different mineral content on musculoskeletal pain and related symptoms experienced. A randomized controlled single-blinded parallel-group study has been performed (145 participants with pain; 5 groups). The duration of treatment was 2 weeks, whereas follow-up has taken 3 months. Change in pain after a single procedure and the pain parameters with related symptoms during the study period have been measured. The effect size using Cohen's d has been estimated. Small effect (0.2-0.4) on pain has been distinguished after each mineral water procedure. Tap water procedures have been effective in 60% of cases. Twenty grams per liter water baths have had a small effect on pain intensity and tender points, body flexibility, and spinal mobility, and a medium one on sleep quality, and reduced CRP. Forty grams per liter water has hada small effect on pain intensity, frequency, and spinal mobility, and a medium one on flexibility, fatigue, and sleep quality, and reduced ESR. Sixty grams per liter water has had a small effect on pain parameters and fatigue, and a medium one on flexibility and sleep quality, and reduced ESR. Theeffect lasting up to 2 months has been identified mostly in the 60 g/L group. Tap water has had a short time effect on pain intensity and tender points. There have not been any changes of sufficient significance identified in the control group and any differences between mineral water groups. Sufficient difference between mineral and tap water groups has been determined in pain intensity, spinal mobility, and sleep quality, whereas in the case of the control group, significant difference in pain intensity and frequency, flexibility, and spinal mobility has been identified. The consumption ofpain medication has significantly decreased in all mineral water groups. The total mineral content of the water has no significant influence on the reduction of musculoskeletal pain. Mineral water baths have small effect on pain and medium effect on other musculoskeletal disease-related symptoms and pain medication consumption lasting up to 3 months; it is more beneficial than tap water or no treatment for the improvement of symptoms associated with musculoskeletal diseases. Even single balneotherapy procedure results in small pain reduction.

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PMID: 

Int J Biometeorol. 2018 May ;62(5):833-842. Epub 2017 Dec 7. PMID: 29218448

Abstract Title: 

How does spa treatment affect cardiovascular function and vascular endothelium in patients with generalized osteoarthritis? A pilot study through plasma asymmetric di-methyl arginine (ADMA) and L-arginine/ADMA ratio.

Abstract: 

The study aims to investigate the effect of spa treatment on vascular endothelium and clinical symptoms of generalized osteoarthritis. Forty generalized osteoarthritis (GOA) patients referred to a government spa hospital, and 40 GOA patients followed on university hospital locomotor system disease ambulatory clinics were included as study and control groups, respectively. Study group received spa treatment including thermal water baths, physical therapy modalities, and exercises. Control group was followed with home exercises for 15 days. Plasma ADMA, L-arginine, L-arginine/ADMA ratio, routine blood analyses, 6-min walking test, including fingertip Osaturation, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate, were measured at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Groups were evaluated with VAS pain, patient, and physician global assessment; HAQ; and WOMAC at the beginning, at the end, and after 1 month of treatment. In study group, L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA ratio showed statistically significant increase after treatment. PlasmaADMA levels did not change. There is no significant difference in intergroup comparison. Study group displayed statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters. The study showed that spa treatment does not cause any harm to the vascular endothelium through ADMA. Significant increasein plasma L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA ratio suggests that balneotherapy may play a preventive role on cardiovascular diseases. Balneotherapy provides meaningful improvements on clinical parameters of GOA.

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PMID: 

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Sep ;98(37):e17092. PMID: 31517832

Abstract Title: 

Effectiveness of spa therapy for patients with chronic low back pain: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem around the world. Two previous meta-analyses showed that the spa therapy has a positive effect on reducing pain among patients with LBP based on studies published before 2006 and studies published between 2006 and 2013. In recent years, more studies reported the effect of spa therapy on treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). Our study aimed to update the meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effect of spa therapy on treating CLBP and to examine the effect of spa therapy based on different interventions.METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched until May 2018 to identify RCTs about spa therapy among patients with CLBP. Summary effect estimates were calculated by using a random-effects model. The quality of each eligible study was evaluated by Jadad checklist.RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and were included in meta-analysis. There was a significant decrease in pain based on visual analogue scale (VAS) (mean difference [MD] 16.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] [9.57, 22.57], P 

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PMID: 

Reumatismo. 2019 Oct 24 ;71(3):119-131. Epub 2019 Oct 24. PMID: 31649376

Abstract Title: 

Spa therapy induces clinical improvement and protein changes in patients with chronic back pain.

Abstract: 

This study is primarily aimed at assessing serum changes on a large panel of proteins in patients with chronic back pain following spa therapy, as well as evaluating different spa therapy regimens as a preliminary exploratory clinical study. Sixty-six patients with chronic back pain secondary to osteoarthritis were randomly enrolled and treated with daily mud packs and bicarbonate-alkaline mineral water baths, or a thermal hydrotherapy rehabilitation scheme, the combination of the two regimens or usual medication only (control group), for two weeks. Clinical variables were evaluated at baseline, after 2 and 12 weeks. One thousand serum proteins were tested before and after a two-week mud bath therapy. All spa treatment groups showed clinical benefit as determined by improvements in VAS pain, Roland Morris disability questionnaire and neck disability index at both time points. The following serum proteins were found greatly increased (≥2.5 fold) after spa treatment: inhibin beta A subunit (INHBA), activin A receptor type 2B (ACVR2B), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), fibroblast growth factor 12(FGF12), oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1), matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13). Three proteins were found greatly decreased (≤0.65 fold): apolipoprotein C-III (Apoc3), interleukin 23 alpha subunit p19 (IL23A) and syndecan-1 (SDC1). Spa therapy was confirmed as beneficial for chronic back pain and proved to induce changes in proteins involved in functions such as gene expression modulation, differentiation, angiogenesis, tissue repair, acute and chronic inflammatory response.

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