Effects of cocoa-enriched diet on orofacial pain in a murine model.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate and discuss the effects of cocoa on orofacial pain. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The Department of Orthodontics at the University of Florida (UF). Male and female hairless rats (N=20/group) were tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were tested using the Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) before and after changing their food from the standard chow to a cocoa-enriched or control-equivalent diet. RESULTS: Male rats fed the cocoa diet had a significantly higher operant pain index when tested at 37°C as compared to control diet-fed animals. Female rats on the cocoa diet had a significantly higher pain index when tested at 18°C and 44°C, as compared to animals fed the control diet. Capsaicin-induced pain was inhibited, with cocoa-diet male rats having a significantly higher pain index than control-diet male rats and cocoa-diet female rats at both 37°C and 44°C. Cocoa-diet female rats had a significantly higher pain index at 44°C than control-diet females. Mechanical sensitivity was affected following capsaicin cream, with a significantly decreased tolerated bottle distance in both cocoa- and control-diet animals, but there was no difference between cocoa- and control-diet groups. CONCLUSION: Using the OPAD operant system, we demonstrated that a diet rich in cocoa was effective in inhibiting neurogenic inflammatory pain in rats. This has implications for the use of novel alternative therapies such as diet modification for pain control.

[Mechanical autotransfusion procedures. The effect cytokines and leukocytes on washed erythrocyte concentrate]. / Maschinelle Autotransfusionsverfahren. Anwendung und Einfluss auf Zytokine und Leukozyten im autologen gewaschenen Erythrozytenkonzentrat.

BACKGROUND: The use of mechanical autotransfusion devices has been sporadically associated with adverse effects including pulmonary dysfunction and systemic inflammatory response. Stimulated immune cells and proinflammatory cytokines are suspected mediators of these complications. This study was designed to evaluate whether mechanical autotransfusion stimulates immune cells in wound blood thus leading to an increase in cytokines. METHODS: The wound blood of 100 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty was collected and processed using four different devices in a randomized order. Leucocyte and cytokine concentrations (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10) were determined in the collected wound blood and in the washed erythrocyte concentrate. RESULTS: IL-6 concentrations in the collected wound blood were markedly higher. TNF-alpha and IL-10 could also be detected at lower concentrations. Cell washing reduced IL-6 and IL-10 levels efficiently, while TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly increased. Leucocyte concentrations were decreased only slightly. A content of 1.0 x 10(9) leucocytes remained in the processed blood. CONCLUSION: High concentrations of IL-6 in the collected wound blood are reduced extensively by all mechanical autotransfusion devices investigated. However, a large amount of leucocytes remains in the processed blood. Considering the increase in TNF-alpha concentration after the washing, an elevated activity of mononuclear cells in the blood product must be assumed.

[Retard morphine in the long-term therapy of severe tumor pain]. / Retardiertes Morphin zur Langzeittherapie schwerer Tumorschmerzen.

35 patients with severe cancer pain received oral retard morphine. Pain reduction was achieved in each case; duration of effectiveness was between 8 and 12 hours. Mean daily dose was 230 mg morphine, but in individual cases the maximal daily dose had to be over 800 mg. The Karnofsky index of physical capacity was increased in all patients. The main side effect was constipation, which actually increased in the course of treatment. On the other hand, nausea and vomiting decreased after a few weeks. No dependence developed in any of the patients. This form of morphine medication thus was effective over long periods and it has become an important part in the range of strongly effective analgesics.