ABSTRACT
The pathophysiology of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) is related to dopaminergic dysfunction, reduced iron and variations in gene expression, such as the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type delta gene (PTPRD). Animal models could be key to achieving a mechanistic understanding of RLS and to facilitate efficient platforms for evaluating new therapeutics. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of PTPRD, of genes and proteins associated with RLS, the sleep patterns and the cardiovascular parameters in an animal model of RLS (spontaneously hypertensive rat [SHR]). Rats were divided into two groups: (i) Wistar-Kyoto and (ii) SHR. Cardiovascular parameters were assessed by tail plethysmography. Polysomnography was used to analyse the sleep pattern (24 h). For the PTPRD analyses, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques were used. To evaluate the tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, dopamine transporter (DAT) and type 2 dopaminergic receptor, qPCR and Western Blotting techniques were used. For the quantification of iron, ferritin and transferrin, the ELISA method was used. SHRs had higher blood pressure, alterations in sleep pattern, lower expression of protein content of PTPRD, lower expression of DAT, and lower serum concentrations of ferritin. These data suggest that the behavioural, physiological, and molecular changes observed in SHRs provide a useful animal model of RLS, reinforcing the importance of this strain as an animal model of this sleep disorder.
Subject(s)
Restless Legs Syndrome , Rats , Animals , Restless Legs Syndrome/genetics , Rats, Inbred WKY , Iron , Dopamine , Ferritins , Models, Animal , Rats, Inbred SHR , Protein Tyrosine PhosphatasesABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is strongly impacting global health and mental health, and has caused routine changes in much of the world. All of these changes can have physical and mental consequences for the population. Metabolic changes, mood disorders and their pharmacotherapy, such as the use of antidepressants can increase the chances of developing sleep disorders, such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). As a way to avoid immunosuppression and the greater risk of contamination of COVID-19, it is recommended to perform exercise in light or moderate intensity. This is the ï¬rst paper to reï¬ect a possible impact of social distancing on RLS, and how it can affect the incidence of mood disorders and metabolic changes in this syndrome, as well as the quality of life of the population. We suggest that regular exercise at light or moderate intensity during home conï¬nement may be effective strategies to minimize the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate taste sensitivity and sleep pattern throughout age. METHODS: Thirty-five male adults aged (25.05±0.71 years), and twenty- four older adults (68.92 ± 6.43 years) were selected and submitted to sleep evaluation (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale), as well as taste sensitivity. Taste sensitivity was evaluated using three dilutions and the different concentrations were presented for the four basic flavors (salty, sweet, bitter and sour). These samples were encoded with three digits and randomly presented to the participants in 50 mL plastic cups. RESULTS: In both groups, sleep quality was poor (PSQI >5). Older adults presented a negative effect to identify sweet and salty taste and, in this population, sleep time was associated with sweet taste perception. DISCUSSION: We may suggest that aging may cause changes in taste sensitivity, as well as total sleep time was observed to be a significant predictor of sweet taste. Sleep may play an important role in taste sensitivity, although the mechanisms are still unknown. Thus, the results of this research may contribute to the emergence of new studies that seek to better understand this relationship of sleep quality as taste sensitivity.
ABSTRACT
Nos últimos anos, os video games ativos (VGAs) têm sido utilizados pela população geral como uma alternativa para a prática de exercício físico associada ao entretenimento. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre o efeito dos VGAs na capacidade funcional e no estado de humor de idosos. Para a seleção dos artigos, considerou-se estudos publicados entre 2006 e 2017, realizados com idosos (> 60 anos); que utilizaram como intervenção, exercícios realizados em VGAs Nintendo Wii ou Xbox Kinect. Os resultados observados sugerem melhoras no equilíbrio, na força muscular de membros inferiores e na mobilidade funcional. No perfil de humor, os resultados são controversos. Sendo assim, podemos concluir que o exercício realizado em VGAs pode melhorar a capacidade funcional, no entanto, os benefícios no humor precisam ser mais investigados, especial-mente em estudos de longo prazo.
In the last years, the active video games (AVGs) have been used by the general population as an alternative to exercise and entertainment. The aim of this study was to do a systematic review about the effects of AVGs on the functional capacity and the mood in older adults. We selected studies published between 2006 and 2017, with older adults (> 60 years) and only that had interventions with Nintendo Wii or Xbox Kinect. The results suggested improvements in the balance, muscle strength of lower limbs and functional mobility. In the mood profile, the results are controversial. We could conclude that AVGs exercising may improve functional capacity, however, the benefits in the mood, need further investigations, especially in the long-term studies.
