The evidence of conventional physiotherapeutic interventions after exercise-induced muscle damage: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction: Exhaustive and/or unaccustomed exercise, mainly those involving eccentric muscle actions, induces temporary muscle damage, evidenced by Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Different strategies to recover the signs and symptoms of this myogenic condition have been studied by researchers, as a result a significant number of articles on this issue have been published. Purpose: A systematic review was conducted to assess the evidence of the physiotherapeutic interventions of exercise-induced muscle damage. Methods: The electronic data bases were searched, including MEDLINE (1996-2011), CINHAL (1982- 2011), EMBASE (1988-2011), PEDro (1950-2011), and SPORTDiscus (1985-2011). Systematic review was limited to randomized control trials (RCTs) studies, written in English or Portuguese, which included physiotherapeutic interventions, namely massage, cryotherapy, stretching and low-intensity exercise, on adult human subjects (18-60 years old) of either gender. Studies were excluded when the intervention could not be assessed independently. The methodological quality of RCTs was independently assessed with the PEDro Scale by three reviewers. Results: Thirty-three studies were included in the systematic review; eight analyzed the effects of the massage, ten analyzed the effects of the cryotherapy, eight the effect of stretching and seventeen focused low-intensity exercise intervention. The results suggest that massage is the most effective intervention and that there is inconclusive evidence to support the use of cryotherapy; whereas the other conventional, namely stretching and low-intensity exercise, there is no evidence to prove their efficacy. Conclusion: The results allow the conclusion that massage is the physiotherapeutic intervention that demonstrated to be the most effective in the relief of symptoms and signs of exercise-induced muscle damage, as a result, massage should still be used in the muscular recovery after sports activities.

Nephrotoxicity of CCA-treated wood: a comparative study with As2O5 and CrO3 on mice

The purpose of this work was to assess the acute toxicity on male mice to a chromated copper arsenate (CCA) solution, a widespread wood preservative used in building industry until 2002. Animals were subcutaneously injected with CCA (7.2 mg/kg arsenic and 10.2 mg/kg chromium per body weight), CrO3 (10.2 mg/kg), As2O5 (7.2 mg/kg) and NaCl (0.9%) per se, during 48 h and 96 h, for histopathology, histochemistry, chromium and arsenic analysis. The results showed some histopathological changes within renal tubules lumen of CCA exposed animals (during 48 h, and 96 h), and CrO3 (for the period of 96 h). Furthermore, the renal levels of arsenic and chromium in treated animals were statistically more evident than controls. Although, the same contents of pentavalent arsenic and hexavalent chromium were injected into treated animals with CCA and with the prepared solutions of As2O5 and CrO3, a different distribution of the pattern of these compounds was observed in kidneys.

Nephrotoxicity effects of the wood preservative chromium copper arsenate on mice: histopathological and quantitative approaches

Chromium copper arsenate(CCA)was used for the protection of wood building material suntil the restriction by EPA in2002. During a short period of time 14–24h,a comparative nephrotoxicity study was performed regarding the effects of CCA and its compounds per se. Histopathological and histochemical features were correlated with the concentration of the total arsenic and chromium in mice kidney. Animals were subcutaneously injected with CCA(7.2mg/kg arsenic and 10.2mg/kg chromium per body weight), CrO3 (10.2 mg/kg),As2O5 (7.2 mg/kg)andNaCl(0.9%) per se. The histopathological examination of the renal sections evidenced acute tubular necrosis in the groups of animals exposed to CCA(in both periods of time). Although the same contents of pentavalent arsenic and hexavalent chromium were injected in treated animals with CCA and with the prepared solutions of As2O5 and CrO3, the arsenic concentration on kidneys of CCA-exposed animals was much higher than those in animals exposed to As2O5 (32- and28-fold higher at 14 and 24h,respectively). However,the elimination of chromium seems to occur similarly in the kidneys of animals treated with CCA and CrO3 per se. Interactions among the components of CCA result in a marked decrease of the ability of kidney to eliminate simultaneously both analytes.The nephrotoxicity of CCA was higher than its components per se, evidencing a possible synergetic effect.

Toxicity of chromated copper arsenate: a study in mice

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was widespread used as a chemical wood preservative with application in the construction of playground equipment, fences, jetties, and naval. Environmental protection agency (EPA) had limited the use of CCA-treated wood on 2002, due to probable implications on both human and environmental health. Although this fact, several industries pursue the use of this product within their manufactories. In addition, the durability of this wood for 60 years, makes these treated products an hazard to the public health. In the present work, studies were explored exposing mice to CCA, during 14, 24, 48, and 96 h for the assessment of acute toxicity of CCA. Kidney and liver were removed, prepared for histology and for metalloid, and copper content evaluation by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The histological results evidenced apparently normal structures for control animals and group exposed to As2O5. On the contrary, the renal sections of the animals treated with CCA revealed epithelium cells desquamation, hyaline, and granular casts in renal tubules lumen. Furthermore, high levels of arsenic were detected in the kidney of animals treated with CCA over 14 and 48 h, being significantly greater than controls. Although this approach underlines the potential hazard of CCA on some vital organs, further testing may be required to establish the impacts on other functions.

Organic versus conventional tomatoes: Influence on physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds and sensorial attributes

The effect of organic and conventional agricultural systems on the physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds content, and sensorial attributes of tomatoes (‘‘Redondo’’ cultivar) was studied. The influence on phytochemicals distribution among peel, pulp and seeds was also accessed. Organic tomatoes were richer in lycopene (+20%), vitamin C (+30%), total phenolics (+24%) and flavonoids (+21%) and had higher (+6%) in vitro antioxidant activity. In the conventional fruits, lycopene was mainly concentrated in the pulp, whereas in the organic ones, the peel and seeds contained high levels of bioactive compounds. Only the phenolic compounds had a similar distribution among the different fractions of both types of tomatoes. Furthermore, a sensorial analysis indicated that organic farming improved the gustative properties of this tomato cultivar.

The effect of method, standard and sample components on the total antioxidant capacity of commercial waters assessed by optical conventional assays

The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of 28 flavoured water samples was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) methods. It was observed that flavoured waters had higher antioxidant activity than the corresponding natural ones. The observed differences were attributed to flavours, juice and vitamins. Generally, higher TAC contents were obtained on lemon waters and lower values on guava and raspberry flavoured waters. Lower and higher TACs were obtained by TRAP and ORAC method, respectively. Statistical analysis suggested that vitamins and flavours increased the antioxidant content of the commercial waters.