Animals ; Caffeine/adverse effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects* ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation/chemically induced* ; Immune System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Male ; Organ Size/drug effects* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/immunology* ; Rats ; Spleen/growth & development*

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 3 groups using a random number table: the control group, the OIPN group, and the EA (OIPN + EA) group, with 10 rats in each. The time courses of mechanical, cold sensitivity, and microcirculation blood flow intensity were determined. The morphology of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was observed by electron microscopic examination. The protein levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the transient receptor potential (TRP) protein family in DRGs were assayed by Western blot. RESULTS: EA treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in OIPN rats (P<0.01). Notably, oxaliplatin treatment resulted in impaired microcirculatory blood flow and pathomorphological defects in DRGs (P<0.01). EA treatment increased the microcirculation blood flow and attenuated the pathological changes induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were down-regulated, and the TRP protein family was over-expressed in the DRGs of OIPN rats (P<0.01). EA increased the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased the level of TRP protein family in DRG (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA may be a potential alternative therapy for OIPN, and its mechanism may be mainly mediated by restoring the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Hyperalgesia/therapy* ; Male ; Microcirculation ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; Oxaliplatin/adverse effects* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM), a major component of ambient air pollution, accounts for a substantial burden of diseases and fatality worldwide. Maternal exposure to PM during pregnancy is particularly harmful to children's health since this is a phase of rapid human growth and development. METHOD: In this review, we synthesize the scientific evidence on adverse health outcomes in children following prenatal exposure to the smallest toxic components, fine (PM RESULTS: Maternal exposure to fine and ultrafine PM directly and indirectly yields numerous adverse birth outcomes and impacts on children's respiratory systems, immune status, brain development, and cardiometabolic health. The biological mechanisms underlying adverse effects include direct placental translocation of ultrafine particles, placental and systemic maternal oxidative stress and inflammation elicited by both fine and ultrafine PM, epigenetic changes, and potential endocrine effects that influence long-term health. CONCLUSION Policies to reduce maternal exposure and health consequences in children should be a high priority. PM
Adult ; Air Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Air Pollution/prevention & control* ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced* ; Child Health ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endocrine System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Epigenomics ; Female ; Humans ; Immune System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Oxidative Stress ; Particle Size ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology* ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/epidemiology* ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/chemically induced* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intravenous and subcutaneous injection of bortezomib on incidence and relative risk of peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma(MM). METHODS: The electronic database of PubMed, Embase, Cochrance library, CNKI and related meeting records were searched by computers. The data were derived all from a matched randomized controlled studies. The incidence, relative risk(RR) and 95% confidence interval of peripheral neuropathy caused by intravenous and subcustaneous injections were calculated by the statistical methods. RESULTS: Four RCT studies were selected for meta-analysis, with a total of 911 patients (479 cases and 432 cases in the subcutaneous injection and intravenous injection groups, respectively). The incidence of peripheral neuropathy in the intravenous injection group was 41.4% (95% CI=0.137-0.692, P=0.003), and the incidence of >2 grade of peripheral neuropathy was 15.6% (95% CI=0.005-0.308, P=0.043). The corresponding incidence rates of the subcutaneous injection group were 16% (95% CI=0.021-0.299, P=0.024) and 3.4% (95% CI=-0.011-0.080, P=0.141) respectively. Compared with the intravenous injection group, the RR of peripheral neuropathy and the relative risk of peripheral neuropathy above grade 2 were 0.525, 95% CI=0.297-0.928 (P=0.027) and 0.376, 95% CI=0.196-0.722 (P=0.003) respectively. CONCLUSION Subcutaneous injection of bortezomib at therapeutic doses significantly reduces the incidence of peripheral neuropathy compared with intravenous injection.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Bortezomib ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Multiple Myeloma ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced

BACKGROUND: More than 140 million people drink arsenic-contaminated groundwater. It is unknown how much arsenic exposure is necessary to cause neurological impairment. Here, we evaluate the relationship between neurological impairments and the arsenic concentration in drinking water (ACDW). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed. We performed medical examinations of 1867 residents in seven villages in the Thabaung township in Myanmar. Medical examinations consisted of interviews regarding subjective neurological symptoms and objective neurological examinations of sensory disturbances. For subjective neurological symptoms, we ascertained the presence or absence of defects in smell, vision, taste, and hearing; the feeling of weakness; and chronic numbness or pain. For objective sensory disturbances, we examined defects in pain sensation, vibration sensation, and two-point discrimination. We analyzed the relationship between the subjective symptoms, objective sensory disturbances, and ACDW. RESULTS: Residents with ACDW ≥ 10 parts per billion (ppb) had experienced a "feeling of weakness" and "chronic numbness or pain" significantly more often than those with ACDW < 10 ppb. Residents with ACDW ≥ 50 ppb had three types of sensory disturbances significantly more often than those with ACDW < 50 ppb. In children, there was no significant association between symptoms or signs and ACDW. CONCLUSION Subjective symptoms, probably due to peripheral neuropathy, occurred at very low ACDW (around 10 ppb). Objective peripheral nerve disturbances of both small and large fibers occurred at low ACDW (> 50 ppb). These data suggest a threshold for the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy due to arsenic exposure, and indicate that the arsenic concentration in drinking water should be less than 10 ppb to ensure human health.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arsenic ; analysis ; toxicity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dietary Exposure ; adverse effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drinking Water ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Groundwater ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myanmar ; epidemiology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Sensation Disorders ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis ; toxicity ; Young Adult

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common and severe adverse effects related to cancer treatment. Unfortunately, although several agents and protocols have been proposed, no prophylactic strategies have yet to be proven useful. Therefore, new alternative therapies have been considered for CIPN prevention. Herbal medicine in Japan, called Kampo medicine, is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Goshajinkigan (GJG) is a Kampo medicine, that is comprised of ten herbs. The aim of this work is to analyse the results of pre-clinical and clinical studies on the potential applications of GJG in CIPN prevention.
Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Kampo ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo observe preventive and therapeutic effects of Tanshinone IIA (T II A) on oxaliplatin induced peripheral neuropathy (OlPN) and to explore its effects on the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and never growth factor (NGF).

METHODSTotally 36 phase II - III patients with malignant tumor of digestive tract undergoing chemotherapy program with oxaliplatin, were equally assigned to the T II A group (using THA at 80 mg/day 1 day before oxaliplatin chemotherapy for 3 successive days) and the control group (using chemotherapy program with oxaliplatin alone) by segmented randomization. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, the incidence degree and incidence of OlPN were evaluated. Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and motor nerve conduction velocity ( MNCV) were tested by EMG evoked potential device. Serum levels of CGRP and NGF were also detected in the two groups before and after chemotherapy. The correlation of serum levels of CGRP and NGF to OIPN was assessed using linear correlation analysis.

RESULTSAfter chemotherapy the OlPN incidence was 27.8% (5/18 cases) in the T II A group, obviously lower than that in the control group (55.6%, 10/18 cases; P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment in the same group, SNCV and MNCV of common peroneal nerve were slowed down, serum NGF levels decreased, and serum CGRP levels obviously increased in the two groups (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, SNCV and MNCV of common peroneal nerve were obviously accelerated, serum NGF levels increased, and serum CGRP levels obviously decreased in the THA group (all P < 0.05). Results of linear correlation analysis indicated serum NGF level was negatively correlated with peripheral neuropathy (PN), serum CGRP expression was positively correlated with neurotoxicity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONT II A could reduce the incidence of OlPN, which might be associated with inhibiting the expression of CGRP and up-regulating NGF activities.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; therapeutic use ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Nerve Growth Factor ; blood ; Neural Conduction ; drug effects ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; adverse effects ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Up-Regulation

Toxic leucoencephalopathy (TLE) is a rare neurological complication of heroin abuse. 'Chasing the dragon' is an inhalational mode of heroin abuse that originated in Southeast Asia. Intriguingly, no cases of TLE have been reported from this region, although the inhalational mode of heroin abuse is common. We herein report the case of a middle-aged man with a history of polysubstance abuse who presented with progressive neurological symptoms and progressed to an uncommunicative state. While the initial impression was that of iatrogenic parkinsonism, diffuse leucoencephalopathy with sparing of the cerebellum was noted on magnetic resonance imaging. In view of his history of inhalational heroin abuse close to the onset of the neurological symptoms, a diagnosis of TLE was made. No clinical improvement was noted with administration of a dopaminergic agent. This is the first known case of delayed TLE following heroin inhalation from Southeast Asia with the unusual feature of cerebellar sparing.
Administration, Inhalation ; Brain ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Heroin ; administration & dosage ; Heroin Dependence ; complications ; Humans ; Leukoencephalopathies ; chemically induced ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; Singapore

OBJECTIVETo understand the toxic effects of manganese exposure on health by measurement of manganese concentration and occupational health inspection among workers in an enterprise exposed to manganese, and to provide a basis for occupational disease control.

METHODSThe air concentrations of manganese in 12 workplaces where workers often stayed were measured by typical sampling; occupational health inspection was performed among a total of 538 workers in the enterprise by cluster sampling.

RESULTSThe average concentrations of manganese in the workplace from 2011 to 2013 were 0.179 mg/m(3), 0.122 mg/m(3), and 0.082 5 mg/m(3), respectively, indicating a significant decrease in manganese level within the three years by rank-sum test (P < 0.05). The results of health inspection showed that 165 (30.7%) out of 538 workers had abnormal indices, and the incidence of autonomic nervous system abnormalities reached 32.7% (176/538). There was no correlation between manganese concentration in the workplace and the incidence of abnormal indices in health inspection, while the manganese concentration in the workplace was positively correlated with the incidence of autonomic nervous system symptoms (r = 0.718, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe manganese concentration in the workplace is positively correlated with the incidence of autonomic nervous system symptoms. Early exposure to a low level of manganese can induce functional changes and potential damages in the nervous system.

Humans ; Incidence ; Manganese ; analysis ; Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Occupational Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Occupational Health ; standards ; Workplace

Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; adverse effects ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced