Mushroom-Enriched Diets Modulate the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Reduce Brain Oxidative Stress in Mice.

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a major problem for developed countries, and stress has been identified as one of the main risk factors in the development of these disorders. Here, we have examined the protective properties against brain oxidative stress of two diets supplemented with 5% (/) of (white button mushroom) or (Portobello mushroom) in mice. These diets did not modify the weight gain of the animals when compared to those fed with a regular diet, even after feeding on them for 15 weeks.

Using a Robot to Treat Non-specific Low Back Pain: Results From a Two-Arm, Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) affects many people and represents a high cost for health care. Manual pressure release of myofascial trigger points is used to treat NSLBP and is very effective but difficult to standardize since it is provided by different therapists, which also suffer musculoskeletal complications from this highly repetitive activity. A robot designed for this purpose may help in reducing these problems.

A Grape Juice Supplemented with Natural Grape Extracts Is Well Accepted by Consumers and Reduces Brain Oxidative Stress.

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a major health problem for developed countries. Stress, which induces oxidation in the brain, has been identified as the main risk factor for these disorders. We have developed an antioxidant-enriched drink and have examined its protective properties against acute oxidative stress.

Altered liver gene expression in CCl4-cirrhotic rats is partially normalized by insulin-like growth factor-I.

We have previously shown that the administration of low doses of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to CCl4-cirrhotic rats improves liver function and reduces fibrosis. To better understand the mechanisms behind the hepatoprotective effects of IGF-I, and to identify those genes whose expression is affected in cirrhosis and after IGF-1 treatment, we have performed differential display of mRNA analysis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in livers from control and CCl4-cirrhotic rats treated or not with IGF-I. We have identified 16 genes that were up- or down-regulated in the cirrhotic liver.