The influence of physiotherapy on the concentration of interleukin-8 in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Wstęp: Interleukina-8, chemokina produkowana przez makrofagi i komórki nabłonka, silny chemoatraktant dla neutrofili, odgrywa zasadniczą rolę w aktywacji neutrofilów i eozynofilów w drogach oddechowych u chorych na POChP i może służyć jako marker nasilenia reakcji zapalnej. Zapalenie to w przypadku pacjentów z POChP może charakteryzować się zwiększoną liczbą neutrofilów w plwocinie, a także podwyższonym stężeniem interleukiny-8. Celem niniejszej pracy było określenie wpływu fizjoterapii na stężenie interleukiny-8 w indukowanej plwocinie u chorych na POChP. Materiał i metody: Badaniami objęto 44 chorych (21 mężczyzn, 23 kobiety, średnia wieku 56,47 &#177; 9,52) leczonych w SP ZOZ Szpitalu Specjalistycznym MSWiA w Głuchołazach, usprawnianych w Dziale Usprawniania Leczniczego, z rozpoznaną POChP (wskaźnik FEV1%VC < 65%), z niezmieniającym się leczeniem farmakologicznym w trakcie fizjoterapii. U wszystkich chorych przed fizjoterapią przeprowadzono test wydolnościowy na bieżni ruchomej według zmodyfikowanego protokołu Bruce&#8217;a oraz dokonano oceny duszności na podstawie 20-punktowej skali Borga w celu kwalifikacji do fizjoterapii. U wszystkich chorych zastosowano kompleksową 3-tygodniową fizjoterapię pulmonologiczną, której podstawą był trening wydolnościowy na ergometrze rowerowym. Wielkość obciążeń treningowych dobierano indywidualnie dla każdego chorego na podstawie oceny tolerancji wysiłku. Standardowy program fizjoterapii obejmował również ćwiczenia mięśni oddechowych, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem mięśni brzucha i przepony, inhalacje z roztworu izotonicznego NaCl, drenaż ułożeniowy z oklepywaniem klatki piersiowej, relaksację oraz spacery. U wszystkich chorych oznaczono stężenie IL-8 w indukowanej plwocinie przed rozpoczęciem kompleksowej fizjoterapii i po jej zakończeniu. Stężenie IL-8 określono za pomocą testu ELISA. Wyniki: Wykazano, że stężenie interleukiny-8 było istotnie niższe po 3-tygodniowej fizjoterapii. Interleukina-8 w plwocinie spadła od 18,91 &#177; 25,2 do 9,69 &#177; 14,06 ng/ml (p = 0,0215). Największy spadek stężenia IL-8 dotyczył chorych z jej najwyższym wyjściowym stężeniem. Wnioski: Obniżenie stężenia IL-8 w indukowanej plwocinie po kompleksowej fizjoterapii chorych na POChP wskazuje na obniżenie aktywności neutrofilów, co może być jedną z przyczyn poprawy stanu klinicznego pacjentów. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 3: 184&#8211;188Background: Interleukin-8 (IL-8, CXCL8), chemokine produced by macrophages and epithelium cells, plays a major role in activating neutrophils and eosinophils in the airways of patients with COPD and might act as a stimulator of inflammatory process. The aim of the research was to assess whether pulmonary physiotherapy influences the concentration of IL-8 in the induced sputum of patients with COPD. Material and methods: The study included 44 patients (21 males, 23 females, average age 56.47 &#177; 9.52) with COPD treated in Physiotherapy Department of MSWiA Hospital in Glucholazy, with unchanged pharmacological treatment for the duration of the therapy. Before treatment, efficiency treadmill test by Bruce modified protocol and dyspnea assessment with the modified 20-point Borg scale was given to qualify each patient for physiotherapy. All patients participated in a 3-week multi-treatment pulmonary physiotherapy programme based on efficiency training on a cycloergometer. The physical workload was determined individually for each patient based on the assessment of individual exercise tolerance. Standard physiotherapy programme also included respiratory muscles&#8217; training with particular emphasis on training of abdominal muscles and diaphragm, inhalations with isotonic saline, drainage, chest clapping, relaxations and walking. IL-8 concentration in each patient&#8217;s induced sputum was collected prior to complex physiotherapy, and after it has been completed. IL-8 concentration was determined with the use of the ELISA test. Results: It was found that the concentration of IL-8 was significantly lower in patients with COPD after a 3-week physiotherapy programme. It fell from 18.91 &#177; 25.2 to 9.69 &#177; 14.06 ng/ml (p = 0.0215). The most significant IL-8 concentration decrease was observed in patients with the highest initial level of IL-8. Conclusions: The study shows that multi-treatment pulmonary physiotherapy causes decrease of IL-8 level in the induced sputum in patients with COPD, what can suggest decrease activity of neutrophils, which may be one of the factors leading to the improvement in patients&#8217; clinical condition. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 3: 184-18

The role of MMP-12 gene polymorphism - 82 A-to-G (rs2276109) in immunopathology of COPD in polish patients : a case control study

Table 1S. Logistic regression analysis of association between -82 A-to-G SNP of MMP12 gene (rs2276109) and COPD – the multiple inheritance models. Description of data: This table contains the logistic regression results of modeled association between SNP rs2276109 of MMP12 gene and COPD. (DOCX 16 kb

Decision-Making Time and Neuromuscular Coordination in Youth and Senior Soccer Goalkeepers

The aim of this study was to compare soccer goalkeepers’ decision-making times following a shot on goal and to determine goalkeepers’ movement pattern structures using EMG in a typical game situation (two-on-one). Two groups of goalkeepers (n = 60) took part in the study: Group A, the senior group (22.00 ± 2.35 years of age), and Group B, the youth group (15.38 ± 1.32 years of age). The goalkeepers’ decision-making times were measured by using EMG from the moment the attacker struck the ball until the completion of the saving action by the goalkeeper. Subsequently, the goalkeepers’ movement pattern structure was determined (for both Groups A and B), and the values of muscle bioelectrical tension during a typical defensive situation in training conditions were revealed. The findings clearly indicate a significantly (p = 0.001) shorter decision-making time in experienced goalkeepers (250–260 ms) than in novices (300–320 ms). In addition, the movement pattern structure confirmed the hypotheses on the economization of effort and the visual-muscular coordination of the postural muscles (calf muscles) that affect soccer goalkeepers. The study also demonstrated a lower bioelectric tension of the gastrocnemius muscle (GAS.MED. RT—p = 0.008; GAS.LAT. RT—p = 0.030) in the expert goalkeepers

Age-Related Impairment of Quality of Joint Motion in Vibroarthrographic Signal Analysis

Aging is associated with degenerative changes in articular surfaces leading to quantitative and qualitative impairment of joint motion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate an age-related quality of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) motion in the vibroarthrographic (VAG) signal analysis. Two hundred and twenty individuals were enrolled in this study and divided into five groups according to age. The VAG signals were collected during flexion/extension knee motion using an acceleration sensor and described using four parameters (VMS, P1, P2, and H). We observed that values of parameters VMS, P1, and P2 increase in accordance with the age, but H level decreases. The most significant differences were achieved between the youngest and the oldest participants’ groups. Moreover, we show that parameters VMS, P1, and P2 positively correlate with age, contrary to negatively associated H parameter. Our results suggest that the impairment of joint motion is a result of age-related osteoarticular degenerative changes

Post-COVID-19 rehabilitation – a Polish pilot program

The current spread of SARS-CoV-2 indicates a long-term fight against the widespread and exponential increase in morbidity and mortality across the globe. A variety of non-pharmacological strategies to mitigate and suppress virus transmission have been investigated and introduced. Currently, emerging studies focus mostly on the management of hospital-treated patients in the acute phase of the disease, including the legitimacy of using physiotherapeutic procedures. However, current literature lacks guidelines for rehabilitation related to maintaining continuity and universality of the therapy after the end of the acute phase of the disease and discharge from hospital. The authors suggest implementing an immediate rehabilitation program in post-infection patients as data from previous epidemics of respiratory-related viral diseases shows that COVID-19 survivors should be expected to have impaired lung ventilation function, and reduced exercise tolerance and muscular weakness, and prolonged return to work and participation. It should be assumed that only the introduction of immediate recommendations for the implementation of rehabilitation procedures based on simple and well-known tests, as well as their obligatory regime, can contribute to the reduction of respiratory disability leading, in a short time, to infections recurrence and, in the long run, to a lower quality of life and socioeconomic burden on the population. This article presents a respiratory rehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors, recommended by the Polish Society of Physiotherapy. This program was approved by the Polish Minister of Health and implemented as a pilot program at the Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Głuchołazy, Poland. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):611–

Clinical Factors and the Outcome of Treatment with Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role of Rheumatoid Factor, Erosive Disease and High Level of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

To identify the clinical factors predicting the outcome of treatment with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis, we examined 312 patients (253 females, 59 males) with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. All patients included in this analysis began treatment with a regimen of oral MTX 7.5 mg weekly, with the dosage increasing to 15 mg weekly after 4 weeks, in combination with folic acid (1 mg daily). Good responders were defined as patients who had a DAS28 of ≤2.4 at 6 months (patients with remission of disease symptoms). Poor responders were defined as patients who had a DAS28 of >2.4. In this study, we analyzed the association between clinical parameters such as sex of patients, age of patients, age at disease onset, disease duration, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, ESR values, presence of joints erosions, presence of extra-articular manifestations and the response to MTX in RA patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed four independent factors significantly associated with good response to MTX treatment: older age at disease onset, low ESR, no erosive disease and negative RF. The results of our study suggest that a younger age at disease onset, the presence of RF, erosive disease, as well as a high level of ESR are associated with worse response to MTX therapy

GENES IN SPORT AND DOPING

Genes control biological processes such as muscle production of energy, mitochondria biogenesis, bone formation erythropoiesis, angiogenesis, vasodilation, neurogenesis, etc. DNA profiling for athletes reveals genetic variations that may be associated with endurance ability, muscle performance and power exercise, tendon susceptibility to injuries and psychological aptitude. Already, over 200 genes relating to physical performance have been identified by several research groups. Athletes’ genotyping is developing as a tool for the formulation of personalized training and nutritional programmes to optimize sport training as well as for the prediction of exercise-related injuries. On the other hand, development of molecular technology and gene therapy creates a risk of non-therapeutic use of cells, genes and genetic elements to improve athletic performance. Therefore, the World Anti-Doping Agency decided to include prohibition of gene doping within their World Anti-Doping Code in 2003. In this review article, we will provide a current overview of genes for use in athletes’ genotyping and gene doping possibilities, including their development and detection techniques

The Effect of Physiotherapy on Interleukin-8 Levels in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction: Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine formed by macrophages and epithelial cells and a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, plays the principal role in the activation of neutrophils and eosinophils in the airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may be used as a marker of inflammation. The inflammation in the course of COPD may be characterised by an increased neutrophil count in the sputum and elevated IL-8 levels. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of physiotherapy on IL-8 levels in induced sputum in patients with COPD. Material and methods: The study included 44 patients (21 men and 23 women, mean age 56.47 ± 9.52) managed at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Specialist Hospital in Głuchołazy, Poland, and undergoing rehabilitation at the Therapeutic Rehabilitation Facility, with the diagnosis of COPD (FEV1/VC &lt; 65%), receiving stable drug treatment during physiotherapy. Before physiotherapy all the patients underwent treadmill exercise testing according to the Bruce protocol and had their dyspnoea assessed on the 20-point Borg scale as part of qualification for physiotherapy. All the patients participated a multidirectional three-week respiratory physiotherapy programme based on aerobic training performed on a cycloergometer. The training loads were selected on an individual basis depending on exercise tolerance. The standard physiotherapy programme also included respiratory muscle exercises with a particular emphasis on the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, saline inhalations, postural drainage and percussion, relaxation and walks. Results: IL-8 levels were significantly lower after completion of the three-week physiotherapy. IL-8 levels in the sputum decreased from 18.91 ± 25.2 to 9.69 ± 14.06 ng/ml (p = 0.0215). The highest reduction of IL-8 levels was observed in patients with the highest baseline values. Conclusions: The decrease of IL-8 levels in induced sputum following comprehensive physiotherapy in patients with COPD suggests suppression of neutrophil activity, which may be one of the reasons for the improved clinical condition of the patients