An interleukin-33/ST2 signaling deficiency reduces overt pain-like behaviors in mice

Interleukin (IL)-33, the most recent member of the IL family of cytokines, signals through the ST2 receptor. IL-33/ST2 signaling mediates antigen challenge-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in the joints and cutaneous tissues of immunized mice. The present study asked whether IL-33/ST2 signaling is relevant to overt pain-like behaviors in mice. Acetic acid and phenyl-p-benzoquinone induced significant writhing responses in wild-type (WT) mice; this overt nociceptive behavior was reduced in ST2-deficient mice. In an antigen-challenge model, ST2-deficient immunized mice had reduced induced flinch and licking overt pain-like behaviors. In the formalin test, ST2-deficient mice also presented reduced flinch and licking responses, compared with WT mice. Naive WT and ST2-deficient mice presented similar responses in the rota-rod, hot plate, and electronic von Frey tests, indicating no impairment of motor function or alteration in basal nociceptive responses. The results demonstrate that IL-33/ST2 signaling is important in the development of overt pain-like behaviors.

Dynamics of chest wall volume regulation during constant work rate exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This study evaluated the dynamic behavior of total and compartmental chest wall volumes [(V CW) = rib cage (V RC) + abdomen (V AB)] as measured breath-by-breath by optoelectronic plethysmography during constant-load exercise in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thirty males (GOLD stages II-III) underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test to the limit of tolerance (Tlim) at 75% of peak work rate on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. Exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation was considered to be present when end-expiratory (EE) V CW increased in relation to resting values. There was a noticeable heterogeneity in the patterns of V CW regulation as EEV CW increased non-linearly in 17/30 "hyperinflators" and decreased in 13/30 "non-hyperinflators" (P < 0.05). EEV AB decreased slightly in 8 of the "hyperinflators", thereby reducing and slowing the rate of increase in end-inspiratory (EI) V CW (P < 0.05). In contrast, decreases in EEV CW in the "non-hyperinflators" were due to the combination of stable EEV RC with marked reductions in EEV AB. These patients showed lower EIV CW and end-exercise dyspnea scores but longer Tlim than their counterparts (P < 0.05). Dyspnea increased and Tlim decreased non-linearly with a faster rate of increase in EIV CW regardless of the presence or absence of dynamic hyperinflation (P < 0.001). However, no significant between-group differences were observed in metabolic, pulmonary gas exchange and cardiovascular responses to exercise. Chest wall volumes are continuously regulated during exercise in order to postpone (or even avoid) their migration to higher operating volumes in patients with COPD, a dynamic process that is strongly dependent on the behavior of the abdominal compartment.

Correlação entre classe funcional e qualidade de vida em usuários de marcapasso cardíaco / Correlation between functional class and quality of life among cardiac pacemaker users

INTRODUÇÃO: Os crescentes avanços tecnológicos desenvolvidos para o tratamento de distúrbios de condução cardíaca vêm proporcionando aos pacientes melhores condições de vida. As escalas de classificação funcional e questionários de qualidade de vida (QV) constituem uma forma suplementar de avaliação dos aspectos físicos, emocionais e funcionais dos pacientes. Entretanto, permanece a seguinte questão: existe correlação entre a classe funcional (CF) e a percepção da QV em usuários de marcapasso (MP)? OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar se existe correlação entre classe funcional (CF) e QV em portadores de MP cardíaco definitivo. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 14 usuários de MP. Para avaliar CF, foi utilizada a escala de atividade específica proposta por Goldman, e, com objetivo de avaliação da QV, foi aplicado o questionário Aquarel associado ao SF-36. Com o objetivo de verificar se existe correlação entre as variáveis, foi aplicado o teste de correlação de Spearman, considerando como significativo a< 0,05. Para a análise dos dados, foi utilizado Software SPSS for Windows versão 10.0. RESULTADOS: A CF correlacionou-se inversa e significativamente com a QV avaliada pelo Aquarel em seus três domínios: desconforto no peito (r= -0,666; p= 0,009); dispnéia (r= -0,604; p= 0,022) e arritmia (r= -0,550; p= 0,041). Já em relação ao SF-36, dos seus oito domínios, três estabeleceram uma correlação significativa com a CF: capacidade funcional (r= -0,745; p= 0,002); dor (r= -0,667; p= 0,009) e vitalidade (r= -0,591; p= 0,026). CONCLUSÃO: No presente estudo, encontrou-se correlação significativa entre CF e QV, sugerindo que as escalas de classificação funcional podem refletir aspectos da QV de portadores de MP.

INTRODUCTION: Growing technological progress in treating patients with heart conduction disturbances has provided such patients with better life conditions. Functional classification (FC) scales and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires are additional means for evaluating patients' physical, emotional and functional characteristics. However, the question remains as to whether there is any association between FC and perception of QOL among pacemaker users. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is any correlation between FC and QOL among definitive cardiac pacemaker users. METHOD: Fourteen pacemaker users were evaluated. To assess FC, the specific activity scale proposed by Goldman was used. To evaluate QOL, the Aquarel questionnaire was used in association with SF-36. The Spearman correlation test was applied to investigate whether there was any association between the variables, considering p< 0.05 to be significant. The SPSS for Windows software, version 10.0, was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between FC and QOL through evaluation by Aquarel questionnaire in its three domains: chest discomfort (r= -0.666; p= 0.009); dyspnea (r= -0.604; p= 0.022); and arrhythmia (r= -0.550; p= 0.041). Among the eight domains of SF-36, three showed a significant correlation with FC: physical functioning (r= -0.745; p= 0.002); pain (r= -0.667; p= 0.009); and vitality (r= -0.591; p= 0.026). CONCLUSION: In the present study, a significant correlation was found between FC and QOL, thus suggesting that functional classification scales may reflect aspects of QOL among pacemaker users.

An electronic pressure-meter nociception paw test for rats

The objective of the present investigation was to compare the sensitivity of an electronic nociceptive mechanical paw test with classical mechanical tests to quantify the intensity variation of inflammatory nociception. The electronic pressure-meter test consists of inducing the hindpaw flexion reflex by poking the plantar region with a polypropylene pipette tip adapted to a hand-held force transducer. This method was compared with the classical von Frey filaments test and with the rat paw constant pressure test, a modification of the Randall and Selitto test developed by our group. When comparing the three methods, the electronic pressure-meter and the rat paw constant pressure test, but not the von Frey filaments test, detected time vs treatment interactions in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced hypernociception. Both methods also detected the PGE2-induced hypernociception in dose- (50-400 ng/paw) and time- (1-4 h) dependent manners, and time vs treatment interactions induced by carrageenin (25-400 µg/paw). Furthermore, the electronic pressure-meter test was more sensitive at early times, whereas the constant pressure test was more sensitive at later times. Moreover, the electronic pressure-meter test detected the dose-dependent antinociceptive effect of local indomethacin (30-300 µg/paw) and dipyrone (80-320 µg/paw) on carrageenin- (200 µg/paw) and PGE2- (100 ng/paw) induced hypernociception, respectively, and also detected the ineffectiveness of indomethacin (300 µg) on the effect of PGE2. Our results show that the electronic pressure-meter provides a sensitive, objective and quantitative mechanical nociceptive test that could be useful to characterize new nociceptive inflammatory mediators and also to evaluate new peripheral analgesic substances.

An electronic pressure-meter nociception paw test for mice

The aim of the present investigation was to describe and validate an electronic mechanical test for quantification of the intensity of inflammatory nociception in mice. The electronic pressure-meter test consists of inducing the animal hindpaw flexion reflex by poking the plantar region with a polypropylene pipette tip adapted to a hand-held force transducer. This method was compared to the classical von Frey filaments test in which pressure intensity is automatically recorded after the nociceptive hindpaw flexion reflex. The electronic pressure-meter and the von Frey filaments were used to detect time versus treatment interactions of carrageenin-induced hypernociception. In two separate experiments, the electronic pressure-meter was more sensitive than the von Frey filaments for the detection of the increase in nociception (hypernociception) induced by small doses of carrageenin (30 µg). The electronic pressure-meter detected the antinociceptive effect of non-steroidal drugs in a dose-dependent manner. Indomethacin administered intraperitoneally (1.8-15 mg/kg) or intraplantarly (30-300 µg/paw) prevented the hypersensitive effect of carrageenin (100 µg/paw). The electronic pressure-meter also detected the hypernociceptive effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 10-100 ng) in a dose-dependent manner. The hypernociceptive effect of PGE2 (100 ng) was blocked by dipyrone (160 and 320 µg/paw) but not by intraplantar administration of indomethacin (300 µg/paw). The present results validate the use of the electronic pressure-meter as more sensitive than the von Frey filaments in mice. Furthermore, it is an objective and quantitative nociceptive test for the evaluation of the peripheral antinociceptive effect of anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis (indomethacin) or directly block the ongoing hypernociception (dipyrone).