Prospective study of probiotic supplementation results in immune stimulation and improvement of upper respiratory infection rate

The human gut microbiota is an important environmental factor for human health with evolutionarily conserved roles in immunity, metabolism, development, and behavior of the host. Probiotic organisms are claimed to offer several functional properties including stimulation of immune system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a probiotic supplementation on adult volunteers who have contracted the common cold four or more times in the past year. This study is a single center, double-blind, randomized, controlled, prospective trial. Subjects received a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus paracasei (at least 3 × 107 colony forming units (CFU) ml−1), Lactobacillus casei 431® (at least 3 × 107 CFU ml−1) and Lactobacillus fermentium PCC® (at least 3 × 106 CFU ml−1) or an identical placebo without probiotics for a 12-week study period. The consumption of probiotics significantly reduced the incidence of upper respiratory infection (p < 0.023) and flu-like symptoms with an oral temperature higher than 38 °C (p < 0.034) as compared to the placebo group. Subjects that consumed probiotics demonstrated a significantly higher level of IFN-γ in the serum (p < 0.001) and sIgA in the gut (p < 0.010) as compared to the placebo group and a significant higher level of serum IFN-γ (p < 0.001) and gut sIgA (p < 0.001) as compared to their baseline test results. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the serum IL-4, IL-10, IgA, IgG or IgM between the probiotics and the placebo groups. Results of this study demonstrated that probiotics were safe and effective for fighting the common cold and influenza-like respiratory infections by boosting the immune system. Keywords: Probiotics, Upper respiratory infections, Human microbiota, IFN-γ, sIg

Use of acupuncture after arthroscopic knee surgery and its relationship to pain, physical activity and need of walking aid Acupuntura em relação a dor, atividade física e a necessidade de apoio para a marcha, no pós-operatório das cirurgias artroscópicas no joelho

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Acupuncture in the postoperative arthroscopic knee surgery, using "The Opposite Side" technique from the Traditional Chinese Medicine. The 36 pain in the knee were grouped according to the disorders found during the arthroscopic surgery: 50% with isolated lesion of the medial meniscus, 19.44% with lesion of the medial meniscus associated to knee arthrosis ,11.11% with lesion of lateral meniscus associated to knee arthrosis, 8.33% with isolated lesion of lateral meniscus of the knee, 2.77% lesion of both isolated meniscus, 2.77%with lesion of both isolated meniscus, 2.77% with chrondomalacia patella, and 2.77% were free body carrier. Group I, 18 patients (Acupuncture) were submitted to 20 acupuncture session. Contralateral points of acupuncture were performed in the injured knee. Group II, 18 patients (Physiotherapy) were submitted to 20 physiotherapy sessions under the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The non-parametrical analysis of the results showed that either the subjective data (pain intensity, difficulty in walking, in crouching, on going upstairs/downstairs, on running, on using some support walking) presented good results in the majority of the studied parameters. Although, the results of the treatment were similar, the acupuncture showed better results since it presented earlier improvement than the physiotherapy.<br>O presente estudo teve a finalidade de avaliar a eficácia da Acupuntura no pós-operatório das cirurgias artroscópicas no joelho utilizando-se a técnica "ao oposto" da Medicina Tradicional Chinesa. Os 36 pacientes portadores de gonalgias foram distribuídos conforme a patologia encontrada nas artroscopias cirúrgicas: 50,0% tinham lesão do menisco medial isolada, 19,44% lesão meniscal medial associada à artrose de joelho, 11,11% lesão meniscal lateral associada à artrose de joelho, 8,33% lesão meniscal lateral isolada de joelho, 2,77% apresentavam lesão em ambos os meniscos isolados, 2,77% lesão de ambos os meniscos associados à artrose de joelho, 2,77% apresentavam condromalácea de patela e 2,77% eram portador de corpo livre. Os pacientes do grupo I (acupuntura), 18, foram submetidos a 20 sessões de acupuntura, utilizando-se pontos de acupuntura contra-lateral ao joelho afetado, e os pacientes do grupo II (fisioterapia), 18, foram submetidos a 20 sessões de fisioterapia, associadas a antiinflamatórios não esteróides (AINEs). A análise estatística não paramétrica dos resultados obtidos nos dados subjetivos (intensidade da dor relatada, dificuldade de andar, agachar, de subir e descer degraus, correr, do uso de apoio para a marcha), evidenciou bons resultados na maioria dos parâmetros estudados. Embora os resultados fossem semelhantes, a acupuntura apresentou melhores resultados do tratamento mais precocemente, enquanto a fisioterapia mais tardiamente