Possible Benefits of the Whole Body Vibration in the Treatment of Complications in Stroke Patients.

Aims: A stroke is a neurological disorder and muscle weakness is the most prominent impairment. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a possible modality of exercise that is useful for improving physical capacity, bone mass, balance, proprioception and the quality of life in healthy subjects and in patients with several diseases and among them, the neurological disorders. Considering the undesirable clinical conditions of the stroke patients, the aim of this review is to discuss about the benefits of the vibrations generated in the oscillating/vibratory platforms to those patients. Methodology: A search was performed in the PubMed using the keywords stroke or "cerebrovascular accident" and "whole body vibration". An isolated search was performed with the term “whole body vibration”. Inclusion and exclusion criteria to select the publications were determined. Results: It is found a limited number of publication involving WBV and the stroke with 16 articles. Of these, 9 publications were rejected for inclusion in this systematic review, due to they did not match the proposed inclusion criteria. Considering the studies that were analysed, about 57% of these have reported an improving in the clinical conditions of the stroke patients with statistical significance. Most probably the reason of the controversial results obtained with WBV findings can be attributed to the diversity of methods to measure the outcomes and the experimental design and the clinical characteristics of the subjects used, as well as the time elapsed post stroke. Conclusion: Putting together the findings and considering the divergence of the results reported, it is suggested that the use of the vibration generated in the vibratory platform could be suitable to try to improve disorders of the stroke patients. However, it is important to consider the limited number of publications available in the PubMed involving searches evaluating the effect of the WBV in stroke patients.

Uncaria tomentosa extract: evaluation of effects on the in vitro and in vivo labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

The influence (in vivo and in vitro) of an Uncaria tomentosa extract (Cats claw) on the labeling of red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma and cellular proteins with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) was evaluated. For the in vivo treatment, animals were treated with Cats claw. For the in vitro treatment, heparinized blood was incubated with Cats claw before the addition of stannous chloride (SnCl2) and Tc-99m. Samples of plasma (P) and RBCs were separated and also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid. The soluble and insoluble fractions of P and RBCs were isolated. The analysis of the results of the in vivo study, indicates that there is no significant alteration on the uptake of Tc-99m by the blood constituents, but it significantly decrease (p<0.05) the labeling of blood constituents by in vitro methods. These effects could be due to chelation of stannous and /or pertechnetate ions and blockage of the Tc-99m bindings sites.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência (in vivo e in vitro) de um extrato de Uncaria tomentosa (unha de gato) na marcação de hemácias e proteínas plasmáticas e celulares com tecnécio-99m (Tc-99m). Para o estudo in vivo, animais foram tratados com um extrato de unha de gato. Para o estudo in vitro, sangue heparinizado foi incubado com o extrato de unha de gato antes da adição de cloreto estanoso (SnCl2) e Tc-99m. Amostras de plasma e células foram separadas e também precipitadas com ácido tricloracético. As frações solúveis e insolúveis foram isoladas. A análise dos resultados do estudo in vivo, indica que não houve alteração significante na captação de Tc-99m pelos constituintes sanguíneos, entretanto, no tratamento in vitro, ocorreu redução significante da marcação de constituintes sanguíneos. Esses efeitos poderiam ser justificados por quelação dos íons estanoso e pertecnetato e bloqueio dos sítios de ligação do Tc-99m.

Ultrastructural analysis of kidney, liver and duodenum isolated from treated rats with Ginkgo Biloba extract and effects of this medicinal plant on the biodistribution of the padiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) has been used to treat memory and concentration deficits, acts as platelet activatingfactor antagonism and prevents against damages caused by free radicals. EGb is a standardized extract that contains 24% flavonoids and 6% terpenoids. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible influence of an EGb on the ultrastructure of some organs isolated from rats and on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (99mTcO4Na). The animals were treated with EGb and after six days, received 99mTcO4Na. The organs were isolated and fixed for ultrastructural analysis. The results showed that EGb has modified the ultrastructure of kidney, liver and duodenum and altered the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na (P<0.05). It is speculated that the substances present in the EGb could act directly or generate metabolites capable to promote changes on the biodistribution of 99mTcO4Na and on the morphology of organs at ultrastructural level.

O extrato de Ginkgo Biloba extract (EGb) tem sido usado para tratar dificuldades de concentração,memória, age como antagonista do fator de ativação de plaquetas e previne contra danos causados por radicais livres. EGb é um extrato padronizado com 24% de flavonóides e 6% de lactonas terpênicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de um EGb na ultraestrutura de alguns órgãos isolados de ratos e na biodistribuição do radiofármaco pertecnetato de sódio (99mTcO4Na). Os animais foram tratados com EGb e após 6 dias receberam 99mTcO4Na. Os órgãos foram isolados e a radioatividadedeterminada. Os tecidos foram fixados para microscopia eletrônica. Os resultados mostraram que EGb alterou a ultraestrutura do rim, figado e duodeno e modificou a biodistribuição do99mTcO4Na. Sugerimos que substâncias presentes no EGb poderiam agir diretamente ou gerar metabólitos capazes de promover alterações nabiodistribuição e na morfologia de órgãos em nível ultraestrutural.

The ingestión of a Nectandra membran cea extract changes the bioavailability of technetium-99m radiobiocomplex in rat organs

The radiobiocomplexes labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) have been widely used in nuclear medicine in single photon emission computed tomography and in basic research. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a Nectandra membran cea extract on the bioavailability of the sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTc0(4)) radiobiocomplex in rat organs. The animals were treated with a N. membran cea extract (30 mg/ ml), for 6 days. Na99mTc0(4) was injected, the organs were isolated and weighed, and the radioactivity was determined in each organ ( percentATI/organ). The percentATI/organ was divided by the mass of each organ to calculate the percentATI/g. A significant increase of the percentATI/organ of Na99mTc0(4) was observed in muscle and thyroid as well as in the percentATI/g in the heart, kidney and thyroid. These findings could result from the interaction between components of the plant extract and the radiobiocomplex which may influence the uptake Na99mTc0(4) in rat organs. Therefore, precaution is suggested in the interpretation of nuclear medicine results in patients using this herb.

Bioavailability of the sodium pertechnetate and morphometry of organs isolated from rats: study of possible pharmacokinetic interactions of a ginkgo biloba extract

Many compounds affect the bioavailability of radiobiocomplexes as radiopharmaceuticals. Ginkgo Biloba extract (EGb) has several effects. The influence of an EGb on the bioavailability of the radiobiocomplex sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) and on the morphometry of the organs was evaluated. Rats were treated with EGb and Na99mTcO4 was injected. The animals were sacrificed; the radioactivity in the organs was counted. The results showed that EGb altered the Na99mTcO4 bioavailability in the kidneys, liver and duodenum. Morphometric analysis of the organs showed significant alterations (P<0.05), probably caused by metabolites generated by EGb and capable of altering the bioavailability of the Na99mTcO4.

Substâncias podem interferir na biodisponibilidade de radiobiocomplexos, como os radiofármacos. O extrato de Ginkgo Biloba (EGb) apresenta efeitos. Avaliou-se a influência de um EGb na biodisponibilidade do pertecnetato de sódio (99mTcO-4Na) e na morfometria de órgãos de ratos que foram tratados com EGb. 99mTcO-4Na foi injetado, os animais sacrificados e a radioatividade nos órgãos contada. Os resultados mostraram que o EGb alterou a biodisponibilidade do 99mTcO-4Na em rins, fígado e duodeno e alterações morfométricas significativas (p<0.05) foram encontradas. Sugere-se que o EGb poderia gerar metabólitos capazes de alterar morfometricamente os órgãos citados e alterar a biodisponibilidade do 99mTcO-4Na.