International Physiology

 It is well known that hyperglycemia is the predominant manifestation in diabetes mellitus, and the most common complication of DM is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The aim of this short communication was to provide an insightful overview of the molecular basis of DPN by assimilating evidence on the role of oxidative stress. Existing evidence indicated that oxidative stress might be a final common pathway in the development of diabetic neuropathy, and that antioxidants could prevent or reverse hyperglycemia-induced nerve dysfunction. The effects of antioxidants were hypothesized to be mediated by correction of nutritive blood flow, and endoneurial oxidative state; and antioxidant drugs such as alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E were therapeutically indicated.

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 Memory is our ability to encode, store, retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain. In order to process and store memory, first it has to be ‘fed’ with bits and pieces of information, most of which are sourced from auditory and visual bodily facilities. Memory is of two types: short term memory and long term memory. Hippocampus is responsible for immediate memory and for selecting the experiences which need to be transferred to the long term memory.

 Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow 24 hr cycle. The production of antioxidants and protective enzymes, have been reported to be regulated or expressed in rhythmic fashions. Thus, oxidative stress seems to have a circadian rhythm connection. Oxidative stress has been implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Reactive oxygen species have role in pain associated with peripheral nerve injury. Increase in oxidative stress as in aging cause profound decline in opioid system at supraspinal level than at spinal level and also the nociceptive threshold. Oxidative stress decreases the nociceptive threshold and also opioid receptor function leading to decreased opioid induced antinociceptive effects. Thus it is hypothesised that the circadian pattern of nociception is due to oxidative stress level in the brain areas.

Keywords: Circadian Rhythm; Nociception; Oxidative Stress

 It is often argued that a blend of personality characteristics is known to affect the immune system. It has been identified that The Limbic Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (LHPA) axis acts as the principal path of the communication between the immune system and the central nervous system. so this study was done to find out the relationship between Big Five personality traits and Total Peripheral Lymphocyte Count (TPLC) as a parameter of immunity in an undergraduate medical students (n=150). We calculated the correlation between personality variables and Total Peripheral Lymphocyte Count (TPLC). Further regression analyses were performed using personality variables as predictors and Total Peripheral Lymphocyte Count (TPLC) as criteria by using various statistical measures.

 Pranava yoga is one of the most popular pranayama yogic exercises. The present study was done to find out direct effect of Pranava yoga on cardiac output and peripheral resistance by using Impedance Cardiovasograph (Nivomon, L&T Medical’s). One hundred asymptomatic healthy male subjects, aged 17-23 years, participated voluntarily in the present study. Cardiac output, systemic peripheral resistance and other cardiovascular parameters were measured before and after Pranava yoga of 15 minutes. Statistically significant decrement was observed in all cardiovascular parameters after Pranava yoga but decrement was more pronounced in systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) , cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume Index (SI) in comparison to decrement in diastolic blood pressure (DBP),  Systemic Peripheral Resistance (SPR) and Systemic Vascular Resistance Index (SVRI).

 A large number of people suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including regional pain in the neck-shoulder region and lower back, or more widespread pain, e.g., fibromyalgia [1]. Chronic MSDs are characterized by a localized, regional or widespread sensation of pain affecting muscles, joints, tendons or ligaments, accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, tenderness at palpation and muscle stiffness. An autonomic imbalance may also reflect altered regulation of the entire stress response system and may have detrimental consequences in terms of pathological conditions as mentioned above [6]. In particular, this study paid attention to the involvement of the ANS in the initiation and maintenance of chronic muscle pain. We had incorporated patients to study the Autonomic function imbalance in the Neck Shoulder Pain and Low Back Pain patients. We intended to include 15 patients in both the test groups and 15 normal subjects (Age and Sex matched) for comparative analysis. A detailed clinical history was taken from all the patients and subjects to exclude the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, alcohol dependence and other diseases that can affect autonomic functions. Both the limbs of ANS were studied using standard battery of autonomic function tests: l Deep Breathing Test l Lying to Standing Test l Valsalva Maneuver l Hand Grip Test l Cold Pressor Test The results were recorded and carefully evaluated. It was found that Sympathetic over activity in low back pain patients can be the cause of this autonomic imbalance or it may be a predictor of prognostic evaluation in such patients. We conclude that sympathetic overactivity plays a major role in the patients suffering from low back pain whereas the role of parasympathetic reactivity from the presence study is not clear.  The best way to arrive at investigative & prognostic evaluation of patients suffering from low back pain would be CPT and HGT as a standard marker of sympathetic reactivity.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Fibromyalgia; Palpation; Tendons; Ligaments.  

 Background:  Obesity and its associated disorders are a growing epidemic across the world. Many genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors play a role in the etiology of obesity which causes disturbance in energy equilibrium. Balance should be maintained between energy intake and its expenditure. This can be assessed by an individual’s basal metabolic rate (BMR). Aims & Objectives: To measure and correlate variations in basal metabolic rate in obese and non obese individuals. Materials and Method: 140 female subjects were grouped into 70 obese and 70 non obese categories. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, BMI and waist circumference were recorded. Body fat percentage and BMR were measured using Omron HBF 306 body fat analyzer. Results and Conclusions: This study is done by random sampling with power > 80% and Level of significance being 5%. The present study shows statistically significant higher values of waist circumference, BMI and body fat percentage (p< 0.000) in obese. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) shows statistically significant higher values (p< 0.000) in obese. BMR showed positive correlation with body fat percentage and Body Mass Index (BMI).