Oligomerized lychee fruit extract (OLFE) and a mixture of vitamin C and vitamin E for endurance capacity in a double blind randomized controlled trial.

Antioxidant supplementations are commonly used as an ergogenic aid for physical exercise despite its limited evidence. The study aimed to investigate the effects of a polyphenol mixture and vitamins on exercise endurance capacity. Seventy regularly exercising male participants were randomly assigned to receive oligomerized lychee fruit extract, a mixture of vitamin C (800 mg) and E (320 IU), or a placebo for 30 consecutive days. The study results showed that oligomerized lychee fruit extract significantly elevated the submaximal running time (p = 0.01). The adjusted mean change was 3.87 min (95% CI: 1.29, 6.46) for oligomerized lychee fruit extract, 1.33 (-1.23, 3.89) for the vitamins, and 1.60 (-1.36, 4.56) for the placebo (p = 0.33 in between groups). Oligomerized lychee fruit extract significantly increased the anaerobic threshold by 7.4% (1.8, 13.0). On the other hand, vitamins significantly attenuated VO(2)max by -3.11 ml/kg/m (-5.35, -0.87). Their effects on plasma free radical amount, however, were similar. Our results suggest that a polyphenol-containing supplement and typical antioxidants may have different mechanisms of action and that the endurance-promoting effect of oligomerized lychee fruit extract may not directly come from the scavenging of free radicals but may be attributed to other non-antioxidant properties of polyphenols, which requires further investigation.

Pain from intramuscular vaccine injection in adults / Percepción de dolor después de una inyección intramuscular en adultos

Background: Vaccine use has been increasing worldwide, and adult populations are presented with more opportunities to experience pain from vaccine injection. The insertion of a needle through the skin is the most common source of iatrogenic pain, and needle phobia is a major concern in medical practice. However, it is unclear which factors play major roles in the perception of pain from vaccine injection in adults. Aim: To evaluate the influences of patient characteristics on pain perception due to intramuscular vaccine injection in healthy adult volunteers. Material and Methods: The injection of hepatitis B vaccine using a 24 mm, 24-G needle was performed as a uniform stimulus, and the intensity of injection pain was measured immediately after the injection using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The influences of patient characteristics on pain intensity were investigated. Results: One hundred sixty volunteers (65 males, 95 females) were enrolled in this study. The average VAS score was 20.8 ± 17.1 (range 0 to 67) in males and 34.4 ± 19.7 (range 2 to 76) in females (P < 0.001). However, there were no correlations between VAS score and age, body mass index or maximal pain score from previous painful experiences. The VAS score was also not affected by the experience of previous vaccine injections, a history of childbirth in females, or religion. Conclusions: Gender appears to be the only major factor that influences the pain of intramuscular vaccine injection. Therefore, pain-reducing methods will be needed when performing injection procedures, particularly in women.

Antecedentes: La inserción de una aguja para inyecciones es la forma más común de inducción de dolor iatrogénico. No se sabe qué factores afectan la percepción del dolor. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de características propias de los pacientes en la percepción de dolor después de una inyección intramuscular. Material y Métodos: Se utilizó como estímulo, la inyección intramuscular de vacuna de hepatitis B, mediante una aguja de 24 mm (24 G). La intensidad del dolor fue evaluada inmediatamente después de la inyección utilizando una escala visual análoga de 100 mm (VAS). Se evaluó la influencia de las características de los pacientes en la intensidad del dolor. Resultados: Participaron 160 voluntarios (65 hombres). El puntaje VAS fue 20,8 ± 17,1 (rango 0 a 67) en hombres y 34,4 ± 19,7 (rango 2 a 76) en mujeres (p < 0,01). No hubo asociación entre el puntaje VAS y edad, índice de masa corporal, haber experimentado previamente dolor, haber dado a luz en mujeres o religión. Conclusiones: El género es la única variable que se asocia con la percepción de dolor después de una inyección intramuscular.

Accuracy of blind versus ultrasound-guided suprapatellar bursal injection.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy rates between ultrasound (US)-guided and blind knee intra-articular injection via the suprapatellar bursa. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 or 3) without effusion were included. Fifty patients were assigned to the US-guided injection group and 49 to the blind injection group. After a US-guided or blind injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) and contrast dye through the suprapatellar bursa into the knee joint, a radiographic image was obtained in each case to ascertain whether all injected material had reached the intra-articular space. RESULTS: US-guided HA injection exhibited a significantly greater accuracy (48 of 50 knees, 96.0%) than blind injection (41 of 49 knees, 83.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular injections through the suprapatellar bursa under US guidance increased the accuracy of knee joint injections.