Relationship between thigh skinfold measurement, hand grip strength, and trunk muscle endurance: Differences between the sexes

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between thigh skinfold measurement, hand grip strength, and trunk muscle endurance and compare this relationship in men and women. The current study included 200 healthy subjects (111 women and 89 men), with a mean age of 31.58±13.78 y. Trunk muscle endurance was evaluated with the use of curl-up, horizontal side bridge, and static back endurance tests. Significant differences were found between women and men in performance of the curl-up and horizontal side bridge tests (P< .05); however, no significant difference was found between the sexes in the static back endurance test scores (P≥.05). The investigators discerned a significant negative correlation between thigh skinfold measurements and all trunk muscle endurance tests in female patients (curl-up,r=−.501; horizontal side bridge,r=−.454; static back,r=−.479;P< .05). A rather weak correlation was found in male patients (curl-up,r=−.348; horizontal side bridge,r=−.182; static back,r=−.330;P< .05). On the other hand, no significant correlation was found between hand grip strength and trunk muscle endurance test scores in female patients (P≥.05), although a significant positive correlation was found in male patients in curl-up and side bridge test results (curl-up,r=.319; horizontal side bridge,r=.307; static back,r=.123;P< .05). The results of this study suggest that women have lower endurance test scores compared with men. The investigators detected the presence of a significant negative correlation between thigh skinfold measurement and trunk muscle endurance tests in both men and women and concluded that there is a positive significant relationship between hand grip strength, curl-up, and horizontal side bridge tests. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between muscle endurance and physical characteristics as they relate to the sex of the individual.     

Targeting the LRP5 Pathway Improves Bone Properties in a Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The cell surface receptor low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) is a key regulator of bone mass and bone strength. Heterozygous missense mutations in LRP5 cause autosomal dominant high bone mass (HBM) in humans by reducing binding to LRP5 by endogenous inhibitors, such as sclerostin (SOST). Mice heterozygous for a knockin allele (Lrp5^p.A214V) that is orthologous to a human HBM‐causing mutation have increased bone mass and strength. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a skeletal fragility disorder predominantly caused by mutations that affect type I collagen. We tested whether the LRP5 pathway can be used to improve bone properties in animal models of OI. First, we mated Lrp5^+/p.A214V mice to Col1a2^+/p.G610C mice, which model human type IV OI. We found that Col1a2^+/p.G610C;Lrp5^+/p.A214V offspring had significantly increased bone mass and strength compared to Col1a2^+/p.G610C;Lrp5^+/+ littermates. The improved bone properties were not a result of altered mRNA expression of type I collagen or its chaperones, nor were they due to changes in mutant type I collagen secretion. Second, we treated Col1a2^+/p.G610C mice with a monoclonal antibody that inhibits sclerostin activity (Scl‐Ab). We found that antibody‐treated mice had significantly increased bone mass and strength compared to vehicle‐treated littermates. These findings indicate increasing bone formation, even without altering bone collagen composition, may benefit patients with OI. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Paradox in the cubital tunnel syndrome—frequent involvement of left elbow: first report

Objective

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common compression neuropathy in the arm, but the existence of a compressive cause has not been determined conclusively and the majority of the cases are idiopathic. In this paper, involvement sides of limbs of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were studied.

Material and methods

Between October 2008 and December 2011, the clinical assessment of consecutive operated patients with cubital tunnel syndrome in Rize Education and Research Hospital were analysed. The diagnosis and severity of syndrome was based on electro-diagnostic study.

Results

This study included 57 consecutive patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (39 men, 18 women; mean age, 44,7 years; range, 23–79 years; mean age, 44,7 years; range, 23–79 years); 31 patients underwent surgical treatment. Involvement was on the right side in 18 and on the left in 39 patients. Severity scores and MCV were statistically significant between sides.

Conclusion

Profound involvement with cubital tunnel was found in left elbow. According to the finding of non-dominant elbow involvement in our study, the exact etiology and ideal management of cubital tunnel syndrome continues to be heavily debated.     

The effects of iloprost on ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscles in a rodent model

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of iloprost (IL) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rodent model.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups (n = 6). Laparotomy was performed in all groups under general anesthesia. Only laparotomy was applied in group S (Sham). Ischemia-reperfusion group (group I/R) underwent ischemia and reperfusion performed by clamping and declamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 120 min. The iloprost group (group IL) received intravenous infusion of IL 0.5 ng/kg/min, without I/R. Group I/R + IL received intravenous infusion of IL 0.5 ng/kg/min immediately after 2 h period of ischemia. At the end of the reperfusion period, all rats were killed under anesthesia and skeletal muscle samples of lower extremity were harvested for biochemical and histopathologic analyses.

Results

Tissue levels of endothelial nitric oxide were significantly higher in I/R groups than those in groups S and IL. The heat shock protein 60 levels were higher in group I/R than the other groups. But the heat shock protein 60 levels in group I/R + IL were found to be similar with the groups S and IL. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in group I/R. On the other hand, in group I/R + IL, malondialdehyde levels were higher than those in groups S and IL but lower than those in group I/R. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities were found to be significantly lower in group I/R than the other groups. Also in group I/R/I, the SOD enzyme activities were higher than those in group I/R. But, in group I/R + IL, SOD levels were found to be higher than those in group I/R but lower than those in groups S and IL.

Conclusions

These results indicate that IL has protective effects on I/R injury in skeletal muscle in a rodent model.     

The effect of fluoxetine on ischemia–reperfusion after aortic surgery in a rat model

Background

Aortic ischemia–reperfusion (IR) is an important factor in the development of postoperative acute lung injury after abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of fluoxetine (Flx), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor widely used as a preoperative anxiolytic, on lung injury induced by abdominal aortic IR in rats.

Methods

Wistar rats were randomized into three groups (n = 7 per group): (1) control (sham laparotomy); (2) IR without Flx (60-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion); (3) IR with Flx (Flx + IR) (Flx 20 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneally for 3 d before surgery). Lung tissue samples and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were obtained for biochemical analysis of oxidative status. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level and protein concentrations in BAL and lung wet to dry weight ratios were determined. Histologic evaluation of the lung tissues was also performed.

Results

IR without Flx led to significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde, and pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance and decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activities (P < 0.05 versus control), whereas Flx was able to restore these parameters (P > 0.05 versus control) and decrease IMA level (P < 0.01 versus control) and protein concentration (P < 0.05 versus control) in BAL and wet to dry lung weight ratio. Histologic evaluation showed that Flx attenuated the morphologic changes associated with lung injury.

Conclusions

The results indicate that Flx confers protection against aortic IR-induced lung oxidative stress and cellular integrity. IMA levels in BAL may be used as a follow-up marker for the efficacy of treatment in lung injury.     

Antioxidant effects of vitamin D on lacrimal glands against high dose radioiodine-associated damage in an animal model

Purpose: To evaluate antioxidant effects of active vitamin D (calcitriol) against high-dose radioiodine (RAI) therapy-associated damage of lacrimal gland.

Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats were used and divided into three groups randomly (n?=?12/group). The first group was appointed as the negative control group and received no RAI or medication. The second group was appointed as the positive control group that only received 3?mCi/kg (111 MBq/kg) RAI via gastric gavage and the last group was the treatment group that received 3?mCi/kg RAI via same method and calcitriol (200?ng/kg/day) via intraperitoneal administration. Seven days after RAI administration, bilateral intraorbital (IG), extraorbital (EG) and Harderian (HG) glands were removed for the evaluations of histopathologic, tissue cytokine, total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS).

Results: RAI led to significant increase in tissue TOS, TNF-α, IL-6 levels and significant decrease in IL-10 and TAS levels (p?p?p?p?=?0.049), periductal fibrosis in EG and HG (p?=?0.049 and 0.038, respectively), abnormal cell outlines in EG and HG (p?=?0.020 and 0.011, respectively) and variation in cell size in the IG and the HG (p?=?0.003 and 0.049 respectively).

Conclusions: RAI caused significant oxidative stress and inflammation in lacrimal glands. Vitamin D demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and radio-protective effects on lacrimal glands in histopathologic, tissue cytokine and oxidant/antioxidant level evaluations.