ABSTRACT
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Its symptoms vary greatly, which makes its diagnosis complex, expensive, and time-consuming. One of its most prevalent symptoms is muscle fatigue. It occurs in about 92% of patients with MS (PwMS) and is defined as a decrease in maximal strength or energy production in response to contractile activity. This article aims to compare the behavior of a healthy control (HC) with that of a patient with MS before and after muscle fatigue. Methods: For this purpose, a static baropodometric test and a dynamic electromyographic analysis are performed to calculate the area of the stabilometric ellipse, the remitting MS (RMS) value, and the sample entropy (SampEn) of the signals, as a proof of concept to explore the feasibility of this test in the muscle fatigue quantitative analysis; in addition, the statistical analysis was realized to verify the results. Results: According to the results, the ellipse area increased in the presence of muscle fatigue, indicating a decrease in postural stability. Likewise, the RMS value increased in the MS patient and decreased in the HC subject and the opposite behavior in the SampEn was observed in the presence of muscle fatigue. Conclusion: Thus, this study demonstrates that SampEn is a viable parameter to estimate muscle fatigue in PwMS and other neuromuscular diseases.
ABSTRACT
Introducción: las células mononucleares de la médula ósea son efectivas para el tratamiento de pacientes con enfermedad arterial periférica (EAP). Los factores de crecimiento que ellas sintetizan se usan para inducir angiogénesis. Objetivo: establecer en Colombia la seguridad, factibilidad y resultado del tratamiento de la EAP utilizando células autólogas, para evitar su progreso a estadios más avanzados. Métodos: previo consentimiento, se hizo aspirado de médula ósea bajo anestesia local. Las células obtenidas se concentraron y se inyectaron intramuscularmente en los gastrocnemios de las extremidades isquémicas. El grupo control retrospectivo no recibió células. La evaluación clínica incluyó varios parámetros. Las células se analizaron por citometría de flujo. Resultados: edad media de los pacientes: 69 ± 11 años; viabilidad celular: 99,15% ± 0,76%; número de células inyectadas: 9,2 x 108 ± 6,2 x 108. Los análisis angiográficos postratamiento mostraron formación de vasos colaterales nuevos en las extremidades afectadas, con mínimo engrosamiento. Se observaron aumento en la distancia caminada libre de dolor y mejoría del dolor en reposo. La obtención y aplicación de las células no se asoció con ninguna complicación. Conclusiones: este estudio preliminar demostró que la terapia celular autóloga es segura, factible y cambia positivamente la historia natural de la EAP. Se sugiere el estudio de un número mayor de pacientes antes de establecer este tratamiento en Colombia.
Introduction: Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells have been shown to be safe and effective for treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Angiogenesis can also be induced by growth factors synthesized by them. Objective: To determine in Colombia the feasibility, safety and outcome of the afore-mentioned treatment. Methods: After informed consent, bone marrow was obtained by aspiration under local anesthesia; mononuclear cells were concentrated and their number and viability were established. They were suspended in saline solution and implanted by intramuscular injection into the gastrocnemius muscles of ischemic legs. Control patients were left untreated. Clinical evaluation included several parameters. Flow cytometry was used for cell analysis. Results: Mean age of patients: 69 ± 11 years; cell viability: 99.15 ± 0.76%; total number of injected cells: 9.2 x 108 ± 6.2 x 108. After treatment, angiographic studies showed the formation of new collateral vessels in all patients, with minimal thickness increase. There were no complications from bone marrow aspiration and intramuscular administration of cells. All treated patients experienced increase in the walking distance and improvement of rest pain. Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrate that autologous cell therapy is safe, feasible and positively changes the natural history of patients with advanced peripheral arterial disease. In order to establish this treatment as a current practice in Colombia, we suggest the study of a larger number of patients.
