Transcranial magnetic stimulation as an antioxidant.

In the last decades, different transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols have been developed as a therapeutic tool against neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, although the biochemical, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these effects are not well known. Recent data show that those magnetic stimulation protocols showing beneficial effects could trigger an anti-oxidant action that would favour, at least partially, their therapeutic effect. We have aimed to review the molecular effects related to oxidative damage induced by this therapeutic strategy, as well as from them addressing a broader definition of the anti-oxidant concept.

Comparative of transcranial magnetic stimulation and other treatments in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), natalizumab (nata), dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and dexamethasone (DEX) on clinical score and oxidative stress produced by a single dose of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in tail of Dark Agouti rats was studied. TMS (60Hz and 0.7 mT), nata (5mg/kg), DMF (15mg/kg) and DEX (300µg/kg) was applied for 21 after the administration of MOG (150µg). We estimated clinical score, as well as lipid peroxides, carbonylated proteins and reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio content in brain, spinal cord and blood. MOG triggered significant increase in clinical score and in the levels of lipid peroxides and carbonylated proteins levels, but reduced GSH/GSSG ratio in brain, spinal cord and blood. Both TMS and clinical treatments, although TMS more significantly, decreased the changes caused by MOG administration. These results support the antioxidant and neuroprotective action of TMS, as well as an activity higher than other clinical treatments.

Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on oxidative stress in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) reproduces a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like experimental model. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EL-EMF) application, like a paradigm of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the development of EAE. Rats were injected with a single dose of 150 µg of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG, fragment 35-55) to produce experimental MS. To assess the effect of TMS application in EAE, the rats were treated with TMS (60 Hz and 0.7 mT) for 2 h in the morning, once a day, 5 days a week, during 3 weeks. TMS was applied to the head. The effect of TMS on EAE was evaluated as motor symptoms and, oxidative and cell damage. The data showed that MOG induced motor symptoms as tail paralysis and limb paresis/paralysis, oxidative stress and cell death similar to MS when compared with control animals. Importantly, TMS application attenuated motor symptoms, oxidative and cell damage, whereas it increased antioxidant system. Our findings suggest that: (i) MOG reproduces an experimental model of MS characterised by oxidative and cell damage; and (ii) TMS application decreases oxidative stress and cell death induced by MOG.

Impact of barium enema on acute diverticulitis recurrence: A retrospective cohort study of 349 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Acute diverticulitis (AD) is becoming a health concern with its increasing incidence. One of the accepted theories of the possible causes of diverticular perforation is the impaction of fecal residuals into some diverticula. We aimed to evaluate whether barium impaction had a negative effect by promoting diverticular inflammation or rupture and thereby AD recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study (January 2005-December 2015) was conducted at the Reina Sofia University Hospital of Cordoba, Spain with follow-up for patients received barium enema or not after their first episode of AD. Factors related to disease recurrence and its severity were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 349 patients were included and subdivided into the barium enema group (n = 141) and control group (n = 208), respectively. In the studied cohort, 72 (20.6%) patients suffered recurrence of AD, which was almost twice as frequent in the barium enema group than in the control group (27.7% vs 15.9%, P = 0.008). Patients who had undergone barium enema were more likely to present a higher Hinchey grade at recurrence than that observed in the index presentation (30.8% vs 9.1%, P = 0.024). Age <50 years, female sex, absence of treatment with rifaximin and especially barium enema, showed a trend to a higher probability of AD recurrence over time. However, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: We failed to conclude that barium enema increased AD recurrence. Patients undergo barium enema are more likely to show a higher Hinchey grade at recurrence than that observed in their index presentation.

Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein and Oxidative Stress in a Multiple Sclerosis Model.

Recent findings in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) suggest that altering certain bacterial populations present in the gut may lead to a proinflammatory condition, that could result in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Also, Reactive Oxygen Species seem to be involved in the course of MS. In this study, it has been aimed to relate all these variables starting from an analysis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP) with the determination of parameters related to oxidative stress in the blood, brain and spinal cord. For this purpose, samples obtained from EAE rats and relapsing-remitting (RRMS) MS patients were used. In addition, EAE rats were treated with Natalizumab, N-acetyl-cysteine and dimethyl fumarate. Natalizumab was also employed in RRMS. The results of this study revealed an improvement in the clinical symptoms of the EAE and MS with the treatments, as well as a reduction in the oxidative stress parameters and in LBP. Correlations between the clinical variables of the disease, i.e. oxidative damage and LBP, were established. Although the conclusions of this research are indeed relevant, further investigation would be necessary to establish the intrinsic mechanisms of the MS-oxidative stress-microbiota relationship.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation modifies astrocytosis, cell density and lipopolysaccharide levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

AIMS: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is considered a valid experimental model for multiple sclerosis, a chronic neuroinflammatory condition of the central nervous system. Additionally, some evidence has shown that some microbial products such as the bacterial lipopolysaccharide could lead to the activation of reactive immune cells, triggering neuroinflammation. Several studies have found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may exert a neuroprotective effect. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of TMS on the neuroinflammation occurring in EAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 44 male Dark Agouti rats were used. EAE induction was performed administering subcutaneously at the dorsal base of the tail a single dose of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Clinical evaluation of motor symptoms was performed. Brain and spinal cord were collected and analyzed for nitric oxide, bacterial lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. We also carried out a histologic exam, which included an astrocyte immunostaining and Nissl staining for the assessment of brain cell density and pyknotic nuclei. KEY FINDINGS: TMS effectively ameliorated motor impairment secondary to EAE. This form of magnetic field was capable of decreasing the proliferation of astrocytes as a response to the autoimmune attack, reducing the content of nitric oxide, bacterial lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in central nervous system. Moreover, in treated animals, brain cell density was improved and the number of pyknotic nuclei was decreased. SIGNIFICANCE: Transcranial magnetic stimulation modifies astrocytosis, cell density and lipopolysaccharide levels in EAE. These results suggest that TMS could be a promising treatment for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Brain Magnetic Stimulation in Animal Models: A Valuable Lesson for Clinical Applications.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is more than a mere tool for clinical non-invasive approaches to stimulate and synchronize the neuronal activity in the brain. Electromagnetic stimulation through TMS has recently emerged as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of different neurological disorders. Among the many properties recently discovered for TMS, its action as an accounting factor for neuroplasticity and neurogenesis is among its most promising features. Translational studies in animal models offer various advantages and also bridge this knowledge gap due to their direct assessment of the brain stimulation impact at the neural level. These profiles have been obtained through the study of animal models, which, in turn, have served for the establishment of the action mechanisms of this method. In this review, we revise and discuss evidence collected on the promising properties of TMS after visiting the different animal models developed so far, and provide a practical perspective of its possible application for clinical purposes.