The relationship between rehabilitation outcomes and extracellular thiol-disulphide and intracellular oxidized-reduced glutathione homeostasis in patients with subacute stroke

Background & Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical outcome of subacute stroke patients and extracellular thiol-disulphide (SH-SS) and intracellular oxidized-reduced glutathione (GSSG-GSH) homeostasis and the effect of the rehabilitation program on these homeostasis. Methods: In this prospective observational study, outcome assessments (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Scores (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Barthel Daily Living Activities Index (BI)) and SH-SS and GSSG-GSH homeostasis parameters were investigated from 42 patients with subacute stroke before and after 4-week rehabilitation treatment protocol. Also, SH-SS and GSSG-GSH homeostasis parameters were measured from 35 healthy volunteers. Results: SS/SH and GSSG/GSH ratios were significantly higher in the patient group at baseline and post-rehabilitation than the control group (p<0.05). SS/SH ratio, GSSG/GSH ratio, NIHSS and mRS values significantly decreased with the rehabilitation (p<0.05). The baseline SS/SH and GSSG/GSH ratios were correlated with baseline and post-rehabilitation NIHSS, mRS and BI scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: The better outcomes of patients with higher baseline antioxidant thiol groups suggest that active thiol groups may play a role in achieving better outcomes in subacute stroke. In addition, rehabilitation treatment increased clinical scores and additionally shifted intracellular and extracellular thiol groups to the antioxidant side.

Comparison of dry needling and kinesio taping methods in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A single blinded randomised controlled study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the trapezius muscle.

METHODS

The patients with MPS were divided into 3 groups as those who received exercise only (control group), those who received KT and exercise (KT group) and those who received DN and exercise (DN group) by using a sealed opaque envelope randomisation method. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPES) were measured twice at baseline and at the end of the second week by blinded evaluator.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were assigned to KT group, 32 to DN group and 30 to control group. The results of the study showed that PPT, VAS and NDI scores were significantly improved in the KT (1.61 ± 1.25, -2.66 ± 1.24 and -7.08 ± 6.24, respectively) and DN (1.30 ± 1.13, -3.34 ± 1.40 and -10.63 ± 7.80 respectively) groups (P < .001 for all). In the control group, no significant improvement was found in the VAS (.10 ± 1.39) and NDI (-.83 ± 4.91) scores (P > .05), with a significant decrease in PPT (-.98 ± 1.92) (P = .014). KT and DN methods in MPS treatment have more positive effects in terms of pain, disability and global effect compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of MPS, adding DN or KT to exercise programme may provide important contributions to the treatment.

Evaluation of dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein levels with myeloperoxidase/paraoxonase-1 ratio in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO)/paraoxonase 1 (PON1) ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relationship between dysfunctional HDL and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in RA patients.

METHODS

Sixty-seven healthy individuals and 130 RA patients were included in the study. Routine lipid panels (triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), HDL, total cholesterol (TC), PON1 and MPO levels were measured. Disease activity scores-28 (DAS28) of RA patients were calculated. Cardiological examination records of the patients were assessed to detect patients who also have CVD.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between RA and control groups in routine lipid profiles (P > .05 for all). MPO/PON1 ratios were significantly elevated in the RA group compared with the control group (P < .001). MPO/PON1 ratios were higher in RA patients with CVD history compared with those without CVD (P < .05). MPO/PON1 ratios were correlated with DAS28 scores (rho: 0.357, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

HDL dysfunction determined by the MPO/PON1 ratio may be associated with the pathophysiology of increased CVD in RA. Thus, evaluating dysfunctional HDL levels by measuring the MPO/PON1 ratio in RA patients may allow more detailed patient follow-up, as well as the reduction of CVD events in RA patients with therapeutic agents aiming to increase the functional properties of HDL by decreasing this ratio.