Muscle strength, quantity and quality and muscle fat quantity and their association with oxidative stress in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Effect of antioxidant supplementation

The purpose of this study was to identify causes of quadriceps muscle weakness in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). To this aim, we evaluated quadriceps muscle and fat volumes by magnetic resonance imaging and their relationships with muscle strength and oxidative stress markers in adult patients with FSHD (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 7), and the effect of antioxidant supplementation in 20 of the 32 patients with FSHD (n = 10 supplementation and n = 10 placebo) (NCT01596803). Compared with healthy controls, the dominant quadriceps strength and quality (muscle strength per unit of muscle volume) were decreased in patients with FSHD. In addition, fat volume was increased, without changes in total muscle volume. Moreover, in patients with FSHD, the lower strength of the non-dominant quadriceps was associated with lower muscle quality compared with the dominant muscle. Antioxidant supplementation significantly changed muscle and fat volumes in the non-dominant quadriceps, and muscle quality in the dominant quadriceps. This was associated with improved muscle strength (both quadriceps) and antioxidant response. These findings suggest that quadriceps muscle strength decline may not be simply explained by atrophy and may be influenced also by the muscle intrinsic characteristics. As FSHD is associated with increased oxidative stress, supplementation might reduce oxidative stress and increase antioxidant defenses, promoting changes in muscle function.

Nutritional Status of Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

In patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a rare genetic neuromuscular disease, reduced physical performance is associated with lower blood levels of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and increased oxidative stress markers. Supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium improves the quadriceps' physical performance. Here, we compared the nutritional status of 74 women and 85 men with FSHD. Calorie intake was lower in women with FSHD than in men. Moreover, we assessed vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, and selenium intakes in diet and their concentrations in the plasma. Vitamin E, copper, and zinc intake were lower in women with FSHD than in men, whereas plasma vitamin C, copper levels, and copper/zinc ratio were higher in women with FSHD than in men. The dietary intake and plasma concentrations of the studied vitamins and minerals were not correlated in both sexes. A well-balanced and varied diet might not be enough in patients with FSHD to correct the observed vitamin/mineral deficiencies. A low energy intake is a risk factor for suboptimal intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are important for protein synthesis and other metabolic pathways and that might contribute to progressive muscle mass loss. Antioxidant supplementation and higher protein intake seem necessary to confer protection against oxidative stress and skeletal muscle mass loss.

Investigação na formação de profissionais de Educação Física e Psicologia revela déficit no conhecimento sobre esteroides anabólico androgênicos

Praticantes de exercícios físicos e atletas tem abusado de esteroides anabólico-androgênicos (EAA’s), sujeitando-se a um elevado risco de surgimento de reações adversas à saúde física e psíquica. Profissionais de saúde tem o dever de informar a população sobre os riscos da utilização de EAA’s. Este estudo investigou a formação de estudantes dos cursos de Psicologia e Educação Física da cidade de Belo Horizonte sobre esse tema. O instrumento investigativo foi a análise de um questionário respondido por 414 voluntários. Os resultados revelaram que pouca atenção tem sido dada a esse assunto na formação destes estudantes, resultando em pouco entendimento desses. Concluiu-se que os estudantes de ambos os cursos não obtiveram conhecimento satisfatório acerca dos EAA’s e suas aplicações.

The initial stability of uncemented acetabular components

The osseo-integration of an uncemented acetabular component depends on its initial stability. This is usually provided by under-reaming of the acetabulum. We have assessed the fixation of 52 mm porous-coated hemispherical prostheses inserted into cadaveric acetabula under-reamed by 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm. We tested the torsional stability of fixation, after preloading with 686 N in compression, by measuring the torque required to produce 1 degree and 2 degrees of rotation. Under-reaming by 2 mm and 3 mm gave significantly better fixation than 1 mm (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.02). Insertion after under-reaming of 4 mm caused some fractures. To obtain maximum interference fit and optimal implant stability, we recommend the use of an implant 2 mm or 3 mm larger than the last reamer.