Anti-depression targets and mechanism study of Kaixin San / 中国中药杂志

This study identified the anti-depression targets of Kaixin San(KXS) in the brain tissue with "target fishing" strategy, and explored the target-associated pharmacological signaling pathways to reveal the anti-depression molecular mechanism of KXS. The Balb/c mouse model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and the anti-depression effect of KXS was evaluated by forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. KXS active components were bonded to the benzophenone-modified magnetic nanoparticles by photocrosslinking reaction for capturing target proteins from cortex, thalamus and hippocampus of depressive mice. The target proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). The enrichment analysis on signaling pathways was performed by Cytoscape. The potential biological functions of targets were verified by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay. The results showed that KXS significantly improved the behavioral indexes. There were 64, 91, and 44 potential targets of KXS identified in cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus, respectively, according to the target identification experiment. The functions of these targets were mainly associated with vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption, salmonella infection, thyroid hormone synthesis, and other signaling pathways. Besides, the results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that KXS up-regulated the expressions of argipressine(AVP) in the cortex, heat shock protein 60(HSP60), cytochrome C oxidase 4(COX4), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH) in the thalamus, and down-regulated the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) p65 in the thalamus. Therefore, KXS may exert anti-depression effect through regulating vasopressin signaling pathway in the cortex and inflammation, energy metabolism, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways in the thalamus, and the effect of KXS on hippocampus is not significant.

A Network Pharmacology-Based Study on Antidepressant Effect of Salicornia europaea L. Extract with Experimental Support in Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the pharmacodynamic material basis, mechanism of actions and targeted diseases of Salicornia europaea L. (SE) based on the network pharmacology method, and to verify the antidepressant-like effect of the SE extract by pharmacological experiments.@*METHODS@#Retrieval tools including Chinese medicine (CM), PubMed, PharmMapper, MAS 3.0 and Cytoscape were used to search the components of SE, predict its targets and related therapeutic diseases, and construct the "Component-Target-Pathway" network of SE for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Further, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) function annotation of depression-related targets were analyzed to predict the antidepressant mechanism of SE. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was used to construct a mouse model with depression-like symptoms. And the animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10) including the normal group (nonstressed mice administered with distilled water), the CUMS group (CUMS mice administered with distilled water), the venlafaxine group (CUMS mice administered with venlafaxine 9.38 mg/kg), SE high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (CUMS mice administered with SE 1.8, 1.35 and 0.9 g/kg, respectively). Then some relevant indicators were determined for experimental verification by the forced swim test (FST), the tail suspension test (TST) and open-field test (OFT). Dopamine (DA) concentration in hippocampus and cerebral cortex, IL-2 and corticosterone (CORT) levels in blood, and nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), kelch-like epichlorohydrin related protein 1 (Keap1), NAD(P) H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels in mice were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot respectively to explore the possible mechanisms.@*RESULTS@#The "target-disease" network diagram predicted by network pharmacology, showed that the potential target of SE involves a variety of CNS diseases, among which depression accounts for the majority. The experimental results showed that SE (1.8, 1.35 g/kg) significantly decreased the immobility period, compared with the CUMS group in FST and TST in mice after 3-week treatment, while SE exhibited no significant effect on exploratory behavior in OFT in mice. Compared with CUMS group, the SE group (0.9 g/kg) showed significant differences (P<0.05) in DA levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In addition, compared with CUMS control group, SE (1.8 g/kg) group showed a significant effect on decreasing the activities of CORT (P<0.05), and serum IL-2 level with no statistical significance. Finally, Western blot results showed that compared with the model group, Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and HO-1 protein expressions in SE group (1.8 g/kg) were up-regulated (all P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The SE extract may have an antidepressant effect, which appeared to regulate Nrf2-ARE pathway and increased levels of DA and CORT in the hippocampus and cortex.

Effect of high-intensity interval exercise on depression-related behavior in mice / 生理学报

This paper was aimed to clarify the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on depression. Animal running platforms were used to establish HIIT exercise models, depression models were prepared by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and depression-related behaviors were detected by behavioral experiments. The results showed that HIIT exercise improved depression-related behavior in CUMS model mice. Western blot and ELISA results showed that in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and amygdala of the CUMS model mice, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein expression was down-regulated, and the content of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was increased, compared with those in the control group, whereas HIIT exercise could effectively reverse these changes in CUMS model mice. These results suggest that HIIT exercise can exert antidepressant effect, which brings new ideas and means for the clinical treatment of depressive diseases.

Painful and stressful procedures and analgesia in newborns from the viewpoint of professionals / Procedimientos dolorosos, estresantes y analgesia en neonatos bajo la perspectiva de los profesionales / Procedimentos dolorosos, estressantes e analgesia em neonatos na visão dos profissionais

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the procedures considered painful and stressful by health professionals from a neonatal intensive care unit and check the measures of analgesia. Method: Descriptive exploratory quantitative study with 65 health professionals, from November 2016 to February 2017. Results: The procedures considered painful were removal of adhesives, vein, arterial and lumbar puncture, phlebotomy, and thoracic drainage. Oral suctioning, intravenous catheter removal and tracheal extubation were considered stressful. Fentanyl was the most cited pharmacological measure, and restraint and nonnutritive suction were the most used nonpharmacological measures. Conclusion: Professionals were able to classify the painful and stressful procedures; however, low use of measures for analgesia was evidenced.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar los procedimientos considerados dolorosos y estresantes por los profesionales de salud en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatal y verificar las medidas de analgesia utilizadas. Método: Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, de abordaje cuantitativo, con una muestra de 65 profesionales de salud, realizado en el período de noviembre de 2016 a febrero de 2017. Resultados: Los procedimientos considerados dolorosos fueron la retirada de adhesivos, la punción venosa, arterial y lumbar, la flebotomía y el drenaje torácico. Ya los considerados estresantes fueron la aspiración oral, la retirada del catéter intravenoso y la extubación traqueal. La medida farmacológica más citada fue el fentanilo; y las medidas no farmacológicas más utilizadas fueron la contención y la succión no nutritiva. Conclusión: Los profesionales pudieron clasificar los procedimientos en dolorosos y estresantes, sin embargo, se evidenció la baja utilización de medidas para analgesia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar os procedimentos considerados dolorosos e estressantes pelos profissionais de saúde de uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e verificar as medidas de analgesia. Método: Estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem quantitativa, com amostra de 65 profissionais de saúde, no período de novembro de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017. Resultados: Os procedimentos considerados dolorosos foram a retirada de adesivos, a punção venosa, arterial e lombar, a flebotomia e a drenagem torácica. A aspiração oral, a retirada de cateter intravenoso e a extubação traqueal foram consideradas estressantes. O fentanil foi a medida farmacológica mais citada e a contenção e sucção não nutritiva as medidas não farmacológicas mais utilizadas. Conclusão: Os profissionais souberam classificar os procedimentos em dolorosos e estressantes, entretanto, foi evidenciada a baixa utilização de medidas para analgesia.

Chinese phytotherapy to reduce stress, anxiety and improve quality of life: randomized controlled trial / Fitoterapia china para reducción de estrés, ansiedad y mejoría de calidad de vida: ensayo clínico randomizado / Fitoterapia chinesa para redução de estresse, ansiedade e melhoria de qualidade de vida: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of Chinese phytotherapyto reduce stress levels, anxiety and improve quality of life. METHOD double-blind randomized controlled trial with 89 volunteers divided into three groups: control (no intervention), Placebo and Phytotherapy. The study was conducted in 2015 with healthy adults treated at the Integrated and Eastern Therapy Institute,in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants were evaluated at baseline and after three weeks with the Stress Symptoms List (SSL), Anxiety Inventory-Trait and State and SF12v2 for quality of life. Intervention groups received a placebo or Gan May Zao formula (GMDZ)flaskwith 50 ml. RESULTS According to ANOVA, there were significant differences (p = 0.025) after treatment of stress (SSL2). And the difference was between control and Phytotherapy groups, according to the Tukey post hoc (p = 0.022). There were no differences in the levels of state-anxiety and physical and mental domains in the SF12v2. CONCLUSION The GMDZ formula reduced stress levels, but more studies are needed with greater sample, with reassessment of dosage and a longer period of treatment to confirm and extend the results. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-28s4hz.

Resumen OBJETIVO Evaluar el efecto de la fitoterapia china en la reducción de los niveles de estrés, ansiedad y mejoría de calidad de vida. MÉTODO Ensayo clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego, con 89 voluntarios divididos en tres grupos: Control (sin intervención), Placebo y Fitoterapia. Se realizó en 2015, con adultos sanos atendidos en el Instituto de Terapia Integrada y Oriental, São Paulo. Fueron evaluados en el baseline y, después de 3 semanas, por el Listado de Síntomas de Estrés (LSE), Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado y el SF12v2 de calidad de vida. Los grupos de intervención recibieron un frasco de 50 ml de placebo o la fórmula GanMai Da Zao (GMDZ). RESULTADOS Según ANOVA, hubo diferencia (p = 0,025) en el post tratamiento de estrés (LSE2). Y la diferencia fue entre los grupos Control y Fitoterapia, de acuerdo con el post hoc de Tukey (p = 0,022). No hubo diferencias en los niveles de ansiedad-estado y dominio físico y mental del SF12V2. CONCLUSIÓN La fórmula GMDZ redujo los niveles de estrés, pero son necesarios más estudios con muestra significativa, con reevaluación de la posología y un período mayor de tratamiento para confirmar y ampliar los resultados. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos: RBR-28s4hz.

Resumo OBJETIVO Avaliar o efeito da fitoterapia chinesa na redução de níveis de estresse, ansiedade e melhoria de qualidade de vida. MÉTODO Ensaio clínico randomizado duplo-cego, com 89 voluntários divididos em três grupos: Controle (sem intervenção), Placebo e Fitoterapia. Foi realizado em 2015, com adultos saudáveis atendidos no Instituto de Terapia Integrada e Oriental, São Paulo. Foram avaliados no baseline e, após 3 semanas,pela Lista de Sintomas de Stress (LSS), Inventário de Ansiedade-Traço e Estado e o SF12v2 de qualidade de vida. Os grupos de intervenção receberam um frasco de 50 ml de placebo ou da fórmula Gan Mai Da Zao (GMDZ). RESULTADOS Segundo ANOVA, houve diferença (p=0,025) no pós-tratamento de estresse (LSS2). E a diferença foi entre os grupos Controle e Fitoterapia, de acordo com o post hocde Tukey (p=0,022). Não houve diferenças nos níveis de ansiedade-estado e domínio físico e mental do SF12v2. CONCLUSÃO A fórmula GMDZ reduziu os níveis de estresse, mas são necessários mais estudos com amostra significativa, com reavaliação da posologia e um período maior de tratamento para confirmar e ampliar os resultados. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos: RBR-28s4hz.

Estresse em pacientes submetidos a tratamento antineoplásico / Estrés en los pacientes sometidos a tratamiento quimioterápico / Stress in patients submitted to drug therapy

evaluating the level of stress in oncology patients receiving anticancer treatment; which stressors are referring to this situation and examining the relationship of the same with sociodemographic variables and oncologic disease. Method: a descriptive, exploratory study, quantitative, performed in an onco-hematology ward of a private hospital of large size, located in São Paulo. There was used a form containing sociodemographic information and instrument for the assessment of stress (Inventory Lipp Stress Symptoms). Results: most of the female participants (56,0%), aged 41-50 years old (34,0%) had gastrointestinal cancer (31,0%), 78,0% of patients had stress, and nausea and alopecia side effects most cited, both with 16,0%, making it the biggest stressors under treatment. Conclusion: a significant proportion of patients suffered from stress. Thus, it is essential to monitor the nursing for cancer patients so they can better cope with the disease and treatment...

avaliar o nível de estresse de pacientes que estavam recebendo tratamento antineoplásico, quais os estressores referentes a essa situação e examinar a relação do mesmo com variáveis sociodemográficas e doença oncológica. Método: estudo descritivo-exploratório, quantitativo, realizado em um ambulatório de onco-hematologia de um hospital privado, de grande porte, localizado no município de São Paulo. Utilizou-se um formulário que continha informação sociodemográfica e instrumento para a avaliação do estresse (Inventário de Sintomas de Estresse de Lipp). Resultados: predomínio do sexo feminino (56,0%), idade entre 41 a 50 anos (34,0%), com câncer gastrointestinal (31,0%), 78,0% dos pacientes apresentaram estresse, sendo a náusea e a alopecia os efeitos colaterais mais citados pelos entrevistados, ambos com 16,0%, tornando-se os maiores estressores no tratamento. Conclusão: uma proporção importante de pacientes sofria de estresse. Destarte, torna-se essencial o acompanhamento da enfermagem aos pacientes oncológicos para que possam melhor enfrentar a doença e o tratamento...

evaluar el nivel de estrés en pacientes que reciben tratamiento contra el cáncer, qué factores de estrés están relacionados con estas situaciones y examinar la relación de la misma con las variables sociodemográficas. Método: un estudio descriptivo-exploratorio, cuantitativo, realizado en la clínica de consulta externa de onco-hematología de un hospital privado amplio, ubicado en São Paulo. Se utilizó un formulario que contiene información sociodemográfica y de instrumentos para la evaluación del estrés (Lipp Inventario de Síntomas de Estrés). Resultados: hubo predomínio femenino (56,0%), con edades entre 41 a 50 años (34,0%), tenían cáncer gastrointestinal (31,0%), 78,0% de los pacientes tenían estrés. Náuseas y alopecia los efectos secundarios más citados, ambas con un 16,0%, y el más altos factores de estrés en el tratamiento. Conclusión: una proporción significativa de los pacientes sufría de estrés. Monitoreo esencial de enfermería para pacientes con cáncer por lo que mejor puede hacer frente a la enfermedad y al tratamiento...

Changes in tau phosphorylation levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex following chronic stress

Studies have indicated that early-life or early-onset depression is associated with a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of developing Alzheimers disease (AD). In AD, aggregation of an abnormally phosphorylated form of the tau protein may be a key pathological event. Tau is known to play a major role in promoting microtubule assembly and stabilization, and in maintaining the normal morphology of neurons. Several studies have reported that stress may induce tau phosphorylation. The main aim of the present study was to investigate possible alterations in the tau protein in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and then re-exposed to CUMS to mimic depression and the recurrence of depression, respectively, in humans. We evaluated the effects of CUMS, fluoxetine, and CUMS re-exposure on tau and phospho-tau. Our results showed that a single exposure to CUMS caused a significant reduction in sucrose preference, indicating a state of anhedonia. The change in behavior was accompanied by specific alterations in phospho-tau protein levels, but fluoxetine treatment reversed the CUMS-induced impairments. Moreover, changes in sucrose preference and phospho-tau were more pronounced in rats re-exposed to CUMS than in those subjected to a single exposure. Our results suggest that changes in tau phosphorylation may contribute to the link between depression and AD.

Wound-healing and benzodiazepines: does sleep play a role in this relationship?

Patients who have suffered burns frequently experience psychological consequences, among which anxiety disorders are prominent. Benzodiazepines are commonly administered to treat these symptoms. The effects of benzodiazepines on healing may not be direct but rather are modulated by alterations of the sleep architecture. This hypothesis is supported by studies that demonstrate the effects of benzodiazepines on the immune system and the inflammatory profile under both normal sleep conditions and during sleep deprivation, particularly rapid eye movement sleep deprivation.

Use of psychotropic medications by caregivers of elderly patients with dementia: is this a sign of caregiver burden? / Uso de psicotrópicos por cuidadores de pacientes idosos com demência: isso é um sinal de sobrecarga do cuidador?

This study evaluated the consumption of psychotropic medications by caregivers of elderly patients with or without dementia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at all geriatric units in Brasília, Brazil, during a two-month period. Structured interviews were performed with 311 caregivers of people with or without dementia and they completed questionnaires. Among the caregivers, 196 (63 percent) were caregivers of patients with dementia and 115 (37 percent) were caregivers of patients without dementia. Forty-four caregivers (14.1 percent) were taking psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines or antidepressants), and this usage was more frequent among caregivers of patients with dementia (p<0.01). Twenty-two caregivers of patients with dementia (11.4 percent) had used sleeping pills after beginning care, compared with only five (4.3 percent) caregivers of patients without dementia (p<0.01). In conclusion, this study found that caregivers of patients with dementia took psychotropic drugs (benzodiazepines and antidepressants) more frequently than the ones of patients without dementia.

Este estudo avaliou o consumo de drogas psicotrópicas por cuidadores de idosos de pacientes com e sem demência. Este foi um estudo transversal conduzido em todas as unidades de atendimento geriátrico em Brasília, Brasil, durante dois meses. Foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas e um questionário preenchido por 311 cuidadores de idosos, com e sem demência. Entre os cuidadores, 196 (63 por cento) eram cuidadores de pacientes com demência e 115 (37 por cento) de pacientes sem demência. Quarenta e quatro cuidadores (14,1 por cento) estavam utilizando drogas psicotrópicas (benzodiazepínicos ou antidepressivos). Esse uso foi mais frequente entre os cuidadores de pacientes com demência (p<0,01). Vinte e dois cuidadores de pacientes com demência (11,4 por cento) usaram medicamentos para dormir após iniciar o trabalho de cuidador, comparado com somente 5 (4,3 por cento) cuidadores de pacientes sem demência (p<0,01). Em conclusão, este estudo encontrou que cuidadores de pacientes com demência tomavam mais frequentemente drogas psicotrópicas (benzodiazepínicos ou antidepressivos) do que os de pacientes sem demência.

Stress modulating antioxidant effect of Nardostachys jatamansi.

The rhizomes of Nardostachysjatamansi, the plant commonly known as Jatamansi have been described in Ayurveda for their soothing and sedative action on the central nervous system. In the present study, the anti-stress effect of hydroethanolic extract (70%) of N. jatamansi (NJE) was evaluated in reference to its antioxidant property. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: naive, stressed, and T-200 and T-500 stressed with oral pre-treatment of NJE 200 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Restraint of rats in metallic chambers for 4 h at 4 degreesC was followed by sacrifice and assessment of stress-induced alterations in biochemical parameters, incidence and severity of ulcers. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and NO levels in stomach and LPO, NO levels and catalase activity in brain, plasma corticosterone level and adrenal ascorbic acid were measured. In vitro antioxidant activity of NJE was studied by measuring the free radical scavenging activity. NJE showed potent antioxidant activity and significantly reversed the stress-induced elevation of LPO and NO levels and decrease in catalase activity in the brain. It inhibited the incidence of gastric ulcerations and reversed the alterations in biochemical parameters/markers of stress-induced gastric ulceration. NJE also significantly altered stress-induced increase in adrenal and spleen weights and decrease in level of ascorbic acid in adrenal gland. Elevation of plasma corticosterone level was negated dose- dependently. The findings suggest that the NJE possesses significant anti-stress activity, which may be due to its antioxidant activity.

La Terapia Floral en el contexto de las secuelas psicológicas de la violencia intrafamiliar / Floral therapy in the context of the intrafamiliar violence psychological sequels

El presente trabajo consistió en insertar la Terapia Floral como alternativa de tratamiento en personas que sufren las secuelas psicológicas que trae apareada la violencia familiar. Partiendo de consideraciones generales que hoy en día se expresan como una epidemia galopante que contamina la humanidad y sus secuelas psicológicas pueden llevar incluso al suicidio, siendo el manejo de este fenómeno en cuanto a alternativas de mejora un tanto difícil. Se implantó esta modalidad de tratamiento en pacientes que acudían al servicio de Medicina Natural y Tradicional del Hospital Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas, refiriendo que presentaban insomnio, miedo, preocupación, tristeza, decepción, baja autoestima, entre otros síntomas. Se trabajó con una muestra de 20 pacientes del municipio de Matanzas, se aplicó una metodología integrada por cuestionarios, análisis de documentos y la entrevista floral, lo que permitió seleccionar las esencias casuísticamente, arribando a importantes resultados.

This work consisted in insert the floral therapy as an alternative treatment in persons suffering the psychological sequels of the familiar violence. Beginning with the particular considerations that nowadays familiar violence is an increasing epidemic contaminating the human being, and its psychological sequels could lead even to the suicide, the management of this phenomenon is a little difficult, according to the ameliorating alternatives. We implanted this treatment modality in patients assisting to the Traditional and Natural Medicine Service at the Hospital Faustino Perez, of Matanzas They referred insomnia, fear, preoccupation, sadness, deception, low selfsteem, and other symptoms. We worked with a sample of 20 patients from the municipality of Matanzas , an applied a methodology integrated by questionnaires, documents analyses and the floral enquiry, which allowed us to select casuistically the essences. We achieved important results.

Initial exploratory observational pharmacology of Valeriana wallichii on stress management: a clinical report.

Valeriana wallichii, an Indian medicinal plant, has been on trial for its role in stress disorders in hospital based clinical set-up. Hamilton's Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used and thorough clinical investigations were carried out to screen the subjects. Thirty-three subjects (20 male and 13 female; average age 34.2 years) were medicated with the plant extract in a fixed dose regime (500 mg/capsule, twice daily, p.o. after meal). They were thoroughly investigated clinically and using standard questionnaires based on different psychological rating scale at baseline (day 0), mid-term (day 30) and final (day 60). The observations exhibited that, V wallichii not only significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated stress and anxiety, but also significantly (p < 0.001) improved depression and also enhanced the willingness to adjustment. Nevertheless it did not alter memory, concentration or attention of the volunteers. The results suggest that V wallichii may be useful in the treatment of stress related disorders in human and may be a promising anti-stress agent in near future.

Vitaminas y minerales contra el estrés / Vitamins and minerals against stress

Se define el estrés como tal, así como los tipos de tratamientos para este. Se expresan las relaciones entre las multivitaminas y minerales y el estrés y se dan criterios sobre su uso. Se concluye que los principales medicamentos antiestrés encontrados contienen las vitaminas E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12,C, ácido fólico y minerales cinc y hierro; entre los principales fabricantes se encuentran: Lederle, Rugby, Ayerst, Scherin, Vicks Health Care, Goldline, Squibbs, Miles Inc. y Natural Life

Effect of "Ginseng" administration on the structural and ultrastructural changes produced by restraint stress in the liver cells of albino rats

This study aimed to assess the antistress effects of "Ginseng" in cases of chronic restraint stress by studying the structural and ultrastructural changes of the liver cells. Fifteen adult male albino rats were used. They were divided equally into 3 groups: control, stress and stress/Ginseng groups. Restraint stress was applied to both stress and stress/Ginseng groups 4 hours every other day for 4 weeks.15 mg Ginseng/kg/ was given to stress /Ginseng group every other day for 4weeks. Examination of liver specimens processed for both light and electron microscopic study revealed that chronic restraint stress causes fatty degeneration which may proceed to necrosis of the liver cells. A hepatoprotectective effect of ginseng was observed

Premedicación con flunitrazepam oral versus placebo en cirugía pediátrica electiva / Premedication with oral flunitrazepam versus placebo in elective pediatric surgery

Para determinar ansiolisis, sedación y cooperación a la inducción anestésica en niños premedicados con flunitrazepam oral, se estudiaron prospectivamente en doble ciego, 111 niños entre 6 meses y 15 años; 54 recibieron placebo y 57 flunitrazepam oral: 0,02 a 0,03 mg/kg. Se evaluaron en condiciones basales, en antesala de pabellón y en pabellón. Se compararon ambos grupos entre sí y respecto a su basal. Se analizaron además subgrupos etarios. Se evaluó recuperación anestésica, uso de analgésicos postoperatorios y amnesia anterógrada. Los grupos fueron comparables en edad, peso, ansiedad y sedación basales. En antesala de pabellón y en pabellón hubo diferencias significativas a favor del grupo flunitrazepam: Antesala, ansiedad p=0,004 y sedación p=0,003; Pabellón, ansiedad y sedación p=0,001. Con respecto a su basal, el grupo placebo mantiene su conducta y el flunitrazepam, la mejora. En cooperación a la inducción anestésica hay diferencias altamente significativas entre los grupos (p=0,001), fundamentalmente en las edades menor de 2 años y mayor de 8 años (p=0,0001). No hubo diferencias en la recuperación anestésica a los 15, 30 y 60 min. ni en el requerimiento de analgésicos. No se observó analgesia retrógrada. Flunitrazepam oral resultó ser una droga útil para reducir el estrés en los niños, permitiendo la cooperación activa a la inducción anestésica, sin prolongar su recuperación

Avaliaçäo clínica comparativa com placebo de um extrato estabilizado de valeriana / Clinical comparative evaluation of a stabilized valeriana extract and placebo

Quarenta pacientes portadores de sintomas leves de ansiedade e distúrbios de tensäo emocional foram selecionados e randomizados em dois grupos, um tratado com dois comprimidos de 50 mg de valeriana duas vezes ao dia e o outro com placebo, ambos durante 21 dias. A valeriana mostrou-se estatisticamente superior ao placebo. Os resultados clínicos e a ausência de efeitos colaterais confirmam a segurança e a atividade de ambas as drogas no tratamento da tensäo emocional

Tratamiento farmacológico del estrés emocional con los antidepresivos tricíclicos: sus aplicaciones en terapéutica dermatológica / Pharmacological treatment of emotional stress with tricyclic antidepressive agents: its applications in dermatologic therapy

Desde la década del 50, el Dr. Zelcer estudió la influencia del estrés emocional en diversas dermatosis. Casi siempre, el estrés actúa como desemcadenante de la afección; en otros casos, la exagera, favorece o perpetúa. En sus investigaciones clínicas, el autor verificó que el estrés emocional se puede controlar con la práctica de un programa integral, modificando la actitud mental del paciente, realizando una actividad física adecuada, y practicando técnicas de respiración abdominal isométricas, relajación, trabajo, esparcimiento, descanso y dieta apropriadas. Cuando no se puede cumplir con este programa, o bien en casos de estrés intenso, pudo comprobar la utilidad del empleo de los antidepresivos tricíclidos Amitriptilina y Nortriptilina

El ketazolam administrado como medicación preanestésica la noche anterior a la cirugía / Ketazolam administered as an anaesthesic premedication the night before surgery

Se estudió la capacidad protectora del Ketazolam respecto del estrés preoperatório. Una 1,4 benzodiazepina con propiedades ansiolíticas utilizado en clínica médica y psiquitatría, en dosis de 30 mg (n = 20) y de 60 mg (n = 20), administrado en dosis única por vía oral la noche anterior a la cirugía. 16 pacientes que no habían recibido medicación preanestésica constituyeron el grupo testigo. Se midió la frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y la presión arterial (PA) y se calculó su producto (FC x PA) la noche anterior a la cirugía (A), 30 minutos antes de la misma (B) y al ingresar al quirófano (C). Simultáneamente, se evaluó el miedo de los pcacientes consignando la manifestación de 13 signos y síntomas que constituyen la escala valorativa del miedo (EVM). Se comprobó que la FC aumenta en C respecto de A en el grupo testigo, mientras que los grupos tratados permanecen sin cambio significativo. La PA disminuyó en B en los grupos medicados mientras que el grupo que recibió 60 mg de ketazolam no aumentó significativamente su PA en C respecto de A. En los pacientes medicados disminuyó FC x PA en B y permaneció constante en C respecto de A. Los valores de la EVM descendieron en B en los pacientes tratados, mientras que en C no aumentó su valor respecto de A el grupo de pacientes que recibió la dosis mayor. Se concluye que existiría un efecto favorable del ketazolam utilizado como medicación preanestésica y un efecto dosis detectable a través de su acción sobre la PA y los valores de la EVM