Healing effects of natural latex serum 1% from Hevea brasiliensis in an experimental skin abrasion wound model

Abstract Background Dermabrasion is related with mechanical and surgical traumas on the skin; usually topical antiseptics and/or saline have been used for healing. Natural products for wound healing can also be used for abrasions, such as latex from Hevea brasiliensis. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro viability and migratory/proliferative effects of latex serum from H. brasiliensis and to compare with a commercially available standard antiseptic solution and saline in experimental dermabrasion on rats. Methods For in vitro evaluation, MTT and scratch assays were used. In vivo testing was performed in 72 rats submitted to dermabrasion, treated with saline, antiseptic, or latex serum. This study evaluated re-epithelialization, neutrophilic infiltration, and the quantification of crust and epidermis. Results Latex showed viability at 1% and 0.1% concentrations and migratory/proliferative activity at 0.01% concentrations. The re-epithelialization was highest in latex group on 7th day. The latex group displayed lower thickness of crusts and greater extent of epidermal layers. The latex and antiseptic groups showed increases of myeloperoxidase levels on the 2nd day and showed important reductions from the 7th day. Study limitations Acute superficial wound model in rats and non-use of gel-cream (medium) without latex. Conclusion In conclusion, non-toxic latex stimulated migration/proliferation of keratinocytes in vitro and significantly accelerated wound healing in animal excoriation models compared to chlorhexidine or saline.

Efeitos da alta frequência no tratamento da acne vulgar em adolescentes / Effects of the high frequency in treatment of acne vulgaris in adolescents

Introdução: O tratamento da acne é baseado no grau de acometimento e um dos principais métodos de higienização é a limpeza de pele associado ao uso da alta frequência. Objetivo: Realizar limpeza de pele com o uso da alta frequência para avaliar sua eficácia na cicatrização da acne vulgar em adolescentes. Material e métodos: Foram selecionados dez pacientes com acne vulgar grau II divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: G1 realizou limpeza de pele com aplicação da alta frequência e G2 realizou a conduta do G1, mas no lugar da alta frequência, aplicação de gel calmante. Os pacientes foram avaliados clínico-fotograficamente pelo programa Image J, quanto à qualidade de vida por meio do questionário The Cardiff Acne Desability Index I (CADI) e satisfação pessoal pela EVA modificada. Resultados: Na avaliação clínico-fotográfica, não houve melhora significativa comparando pré e pós-tratamento em nenhum dos grupos. Porém, na avaliação da qualidade de vida por meio do CADI, houve melhora significativa no G1 (p < 0,04) e no G2 (p < 0,01) na comparação pré e pós-tratamento. Na avaliação de satisfação pós-tratamento, os dois grupos apresentaram alto escore de satisfação, porém não houve diferença entre os grupos. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que os dois grupos apresentaram melhora na qualidade de vida e no grau de satisfação com o tratamento, portanto a utilização da alta frequência no tratamento de acne apresentou efeitos semelhantes ao grupo controle. (AU)

Introduction: The treatment of acne is based on the degree of impairment, and one of the main methods is the cleaning of the skin associated with the use of high frequency. Objective: To perform the cleansing of skin with high frequency to evaluate effectiveness in the healing of acne vulgaris in adolescents. Methods: 10 patients were selected with acne vulgaris grade II and randomly divided into two groups: G1 performed facials with application of high frequency and G2 performed the conduct of the G1, but in place of high-frequency used application of soothing gel. Patients were evaluated clinically, photographically by Image J program, the quality of life questionnaire through The Cardiff Acne Desability Index I (CADI) and personal satisfaction by the modified EVA. Results: The clinical and photographic assessment showed no significant improvement between pre and post treatment in both groups. However, when we evaluate quality of life through CADI, a significant improvement in G1 (p < 0.04) and G2 (p < 0.01) was found comparing pre and post treatment. Evaluation of satisfaction after treatment showed high satisfaction for both group, but there is no difference between groups. Conclusion: The results of both groups showed improvement in quality of life and satisfaction with treatment, therefore, the use of high frequency in the treatment of acne showed similar effects in the control group.(AU)

Phototherapy promotes healing of cutaneous wounds in undernourished rats

BACKGROUND: Various studies have shown that phototherapy promotes the healing of cutaneous wounds. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phototherapy on healing of cutaneous wounds in nourished and undernourished rats. METHODS: Forty rats, 20 nourished plus 20 others rendered marasmus with undernourishment, were assigned to four equal groups: nourished sham, nourished Light Emitting Diode treated, undernourished sham and undernourished Light Emitting Diode treated. In the two treated groups, two 8-mm punch wounds made on the dorsum of each rat were irradiated three times per week with 3 J/cm2 sq cm of combined 660 and 890nm light; wounds in the other groups were not irradiated. Wounds were evaluated with digital photography and image analysis, either on day 7 or day 14, with biopsies obtained on day 14 for histological studies. RESULTS: Undernourishment retarded the mean healing rate of the undernourished sham wounds (p < 0.01), but not the undernourished Light emission diode treated wounds, which healed significantly faster (p < 0.001) and as fast as the two nourished groups. Histological analysis showed a smaller percentage of collagen in the undernourished sham group compared with the three other groups, thus confirming our photographic image analysis data. CONCLUSION: Phototherapy reverses the adverse healing effects of undernourishment. Similar beneficial effects may be achieved in patients with poor nutritional status. .

Efeitos da oclusão vascular parcial no ganho de força muscular / The effects of partial vascular occlusion on gaining muscle strength

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos do exercício resistido de baixa intensidade associado à oclusão vascular no ganho de força e volume muscular. Método: Foi realizada uma busca sistematizada nos bancos de dados eletrônicos: Science Direct, PEDro e Pubmed, onde foram revisados somente ensaios clínicos randomizados e com pontuação acima de 50% de acordo com a escala de PEDro. Resultados: Durante a pesquisa foram pré-selecionados e analisados 440 artigos e ao final da seleção, sete artigos preencheram todos os critérios de inclusão e especificações estabelecidas. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o exercício de baixa intensidade com oclusão sanguínea é uma alternativa eficaz na indução de hipertrofia muscular, sendo vista como uma nova possibilidade de treinamento muscular orientado para jovens e idosos saudáveis. No entanto, há necessidade de realizar novos estudos, pois ainda existem pontos que permanecem sem explicação, como dor e desconforto durante o treinamento.

Objective: To investigate the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise associated with vascular occlusion in strength and muscle volume. Method: We performed a systematic review in electronic databases: Science Direct, PEDro, and Pubmed, in which were reviewed only randomized clinical trials with a score over 50% according to the PEDro scale. Results: During the survey 440 articles were pre-selected and reviewed, but in the final selection only seven articles met all inclusion criteria and specifications set. Conclusion: We conclude that low-intensity exercise with blood occlusion is an effective alternative in inducing muscle hypertrophy and is seen as a new possibility of targeted muscle training for young people and seniors. However, we need more studies, for there are still points that remain unclear, such as pain and discomfort during training.

Modelos experimentais de desnutrição e sua influência no trofismo cutâneo / Experimental models of malnutrition and its effect on skin trophism

FUNDAMENTOS: A pele, para exercer suas funções, necessita de níveis adequados de nutrientes. OBJETIVO: Analisar o trofismo cutâneo de ratos nutridos e desnutridos por meio de dois modelos de desnutrição. MÉTODOS: No Modelo Marasmo, utilizaram-se 60 ratos Wistar em controle dietético, dos quais 30 foram selecionados aleatoriamente para receber metade da dieta diária durante 60 dias. No Modelo Gelatina, empregaram-se 60 ratos, dos quais 30 receberam dieta associada a proteína de baixa qualidade (gelatina) durante 30 dias. Avaliou-se o estado nutricional dos animais por meio da massa corporal, dos sinais clínicos e da dosagem de albumina sérica. Após o período de desnutrição, fez-se a histologia da pele dos animais para análise da espessura da derme e epiderme com o software Leica Application Suite; nas lâminas coradas com tricrômio de Gomori, analisou-se a colagênese com o software ImageJ. RESULTADOS: A massa corporal dos animais desnutridos pelo marasmo e gelatina foi significativamente menor (p<0,0001 e p<0,0001) do que a dos grupos nutridos. Quanto à albumina sérica, não houve diferença entre os grupos nos dois modelos. Em relação à análise histológica da espessura da pele, os desnutridos apresentaram a derme significativamente menos espessa em comparação aos nutridos (p<0,0001 e p<0,0001). No que respeita à colagênese, os grupos desnutridos apresentaram menores percentuais de colágeno em relação aos nutridos (p<0,0005 e p<0,003). CONCLUSÕES: Os animais desnutridos pelos dois modelos apresentaram diminuição na espessura dérmica, confirmada histologicamente pelo menor percentual de colágeno, mostrando a influência negativa da desnutrição no trofismo cutâneo.

BACKGROUND: The skin requires adequate levels of nutrients to function properly. OBJECTIVE: To analyze skin trophism in well-nourished and undernourished rats using two models of malnutrition. METHODS: In the marasmus model, 60 Wistar rats were kept on a controlled diet, 30 being randomly selected to receive half the established diet for 60 days. In the gelatin model, 60 rats were used, 30 of which received a diet consisting of poor quality protein (gelatin) for 30 days. The nutritional status of the animals was evaluated according to body mass index, clinical signs and serum albumin measurement. After the period of malnutrition, histology was performed on the animals' skin to analyze the thickness of the dermis and epidermis using the Leica Application Suite software. Collagen was analyzed on slides stained with Gömöri trichrome using the ImageJ software program. RESULTS: The body mass index of the malnourished animals in the marasmus and gelatin groups was significantly lower than that of the well-nourished animals in the two groups (p<0.0001 in both models). With respect to serum albumin, there was no difference between the groups in either of the two models. In relation to the histological analysis of skin thickness, the dermis of the malnourished animals was significantly thinner compared to that of the well-nourished animals (p<0.0001 in both models). The percentage of collagen was lower in the malnourished animals compared to the well-nourished animals (p<0.0005 and p<0.003 in the marasmus and gelatin model, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Skin thickness measurements were lower in the malnourished animals in both models, and this finding was histologically confirmed by the lower percentage of collagen, showing the negative effect of malnutrition on skin trophism.

Avaliação sensitiva de hansenianos pelos monofilamentos Semmes-Weinstein em serviço terciário de fisioterapia / Effectiveness of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments in leprosy neuropathy in physiotherapy tertiary sevice

OBJETIVOS: Identificar a frequência das alterações da sensibilidade de mãos e pés de hansenianos através dos monofilamentos Semmes-Weinstein no hospital terciário.MÉTODO: Trinta pacientes do setor de fisioterapia do Hospital da Clínicas da FMRP-USP foram avaliados clinico-epidemiologicamente e submetidos ao teste por monofilamentos de agosto a dezembro de 2004.RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 48,4 anos, sendo 80% do sexo masculino e 70% oriundos da região de Ribeirão Preto. Classificavam-se como multibacilares 70% dos pacientes e 80% apresentavam-se com Grau I de incapacidade. Quanto ao teste nos membros superiores, o nervo ulnar foi o mais acometido nos paucibacilares (78%) e nos multibacilares (83%). Nos membros inferiores, o ramo plantar medial do nervo tibial posterior encontrou-se acometido em todos os pacientes do grupo multibacilar. A sensação protetora estava ausente nas mãos em 26% no grupo pauci e 46% no multibacilar, e nos pés 44% no paucibacilar e 56% no multibacilar. O diagnóstico foi tardio em 37% dos pacientes, apresentando no mínimo dois nervos com perda da sensação protetora.CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados evidenciaram que o acompanhamento da neuropatia da hanseníase pelos monofilamentos S-W, mostrou-se capaz de identificar alterações da sensibilidade em múltiplos nervos das extremidades, tanto nos pacientes paucibacilares quanto multibacilares, tornando-se evidente a gravidade dos pacientes atendidos nos serviço de atenção terciária à saúde.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency of changes in the sensibility of hands and feet from leprosy patients through the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament in tertiary hospital.METHOD: Thirty patients of the Physiotherapy Service of Hospital das Clínicas FMRP-USP were evaluated from August to December 2004. The patients were clinically and epidemiologically evaluated. Afterwards, monofilaments were tested.RESULTS: The mean age was 48.4 years, 80% male and 70% came from the Ribeirão Preto region. Seventy percent of the patients were classified as multibacilary and 80% presented grade 1 of incapacity. Concerning to Semmes-Weinstein test on the upper limbs, the ulnar was the most impaired nerve on the paucibacillary patients (78%) and on the multibacillary (83%). On the lower limbs, the plantar medial branch from the tibial posterior nerve had been impaired in all patients. The protective sensation was absent on the hands in 26% on the paucibacillary group and 46% on the multibacillary, and on the feet in 44% on the paucibacillary and 56% on the multibacillary. Thirty seven percent of the patients have received late diagnosis, showing at least two nerves without protective sensation.CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the reliable use of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments during the follow up of leprosy patients. This tool was able to identify sensitive changes in multiple nerves of the extremities, for paucibacilary and multibacilary patients, what clearly shows the severity of incoming patients in health tertiary care service.