Background: Hypertension remains a leading global risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Complementary non-pharmacological therapies that reduce blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function are of growing interest. Hydrotherapy including warm or hot-water immersion, aquatic exercise, foot soaks, balneotherapy and local cold applications (e.g., ice massage) is widely used in clinical and traditional settings but its role in hypertension management is not yet standardized. Objective: To summarize the changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure through available clinical evidences in hypertensive patients using hydrotherapy modalities such as warm-water immersion, cold water therapies, ice massage, steam and sauna bath. Methods: A literature search was conducted using terms like "hydrotherapy," "hypertension," and "blood pressure", "complimentary" in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect to find publications published between 1985 and 2025. Excluded were research involving animals or unrelated topics, and included were peer-reviewed English-language human studies that examined how hydrotherapy affected circulatory or autonomic processes. Key findings were summarized by screening and narratively analyzing pertinent papers. Only publicly available data were used, thus ethical approval was not necessary. Conclusions: Hydrotherapy shows promise as an adjunctive strategy for managing hypertension by enhancing vascular function and autonomic balance through endothelial and thermoregulatory mechanisms. Further research is needed to standardize protocols and confirm long-term efficacy.
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is frequently associated with xerostomia, a condition characterized by reduced salivary flow and a sensation of dry mouth. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a vital role in vasodilation and immune modulation. Modified Bhramari Pranayama (MBhrP), a specific yogic breathing technique, has been reported to enhance endogenous NO production. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess the immediate effect of MBhrP on salivary NO levels in T2DM individuals with xerostomia. The secondary objective was to evaluate its effect on heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity. Methodology: Sixty-eight eligible participants were randomized into two groups: MBhrP group ( n = 34) and the control group ( n = 34). Participants were assessed using a close-ended questionnaire, including the Fox test and Xerostomia Inventory, to confirm the presence and severity of xerostomia. The intervention group performed MBhrP for 20 min between 6 AM and 7 AM, while the control group engaged in slow breathing for the same duration. Salivary NO levels and HRV parameters were assessed at baseline and immediately postintervention. Results: The MBhrP group showed a statistically significant increase in salivary NO levels compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). HRV parameters SDRR ( P = 0.02), root mean square of successive differences ( P < 0.001), and pRR50 ( P = 0.004) also showed significant improvement. Conclusion: MBhrP appears to have an immediate beneficial effect on salivary NO levels and autonomic function in T2DM patients with xerostomia, suggesting its potential as a nonpharmacological therapeutic tool.
Naturopathy is an “alternative medicine” which doesn’t belong to any medicine. Nature itself comprises five major elements which are space, air, fire, water, and earth. Hydrotherapy or water therapy is one of the universal solvents having an immense impact on the human body and most ancient of all remedial agents for acute, sub-acute, and chronic disease conditions. Water treatments has the ability to reduce all disease condition such as traditional douches treatments are very simple, cost-effective, and efficient treatment with water temperature, and vapor used in various diseases. A douche consists of a single or multiple columns of water directed towards some portion of the body especially in reflex areas to produce sedative effects. These types of treatment therapeutic actions are based upon three factors i.e., temperature, pressure, and mass. A douche has various types, effects, and therapeutic benefits which are highly useful in the treatment of various diseased conditions. This paper highlights and overviews the therapeutic uses of douches as therapy and their important role in modern ailments.
BACKGROUND:Prostate cancer is recognized as a heterogeneous disease demanding appropriate preclinical models that reflect tumor complexity. Previously, we established the PSA-Cre;PtenLoxP/LoxP genetic engineered mouse model (GEMM) for prostate cancer reflecting the various stages of tumor development. Prostate tumors in this Pten KO model slowly develop, requiring more than 10 months. In order to enhance its practical utility, we established a syngeneic panel of cell lines derived from PSA-Cre targeted Pten KO tumors, designated the mouse prostate cancer (MuCap) model. METHODS:Four different MuCaP epithelial cell lines were established from three independent primary Pten KO mouse prostate tumors. Tumorigenic capacity of the MuCaP cell lines was determined by subcutaneous inoculation of these cell lines in immunocompetent mice. Response to PI3K-targeted therapy was validated in ex vivo tissue slices of the established MuCaP tumors. RESULTS:The MuCaP cell lines were all tumorigenic in immunocompetent mice after subcutaneous inoculation. Interestingly, these syngrafted tumors represented different tumor growth rates and morphologies. Treatment with the specific PI3K inhibitor GDC0941 resulted in responses very similar between syngeneic MuCaP and primary Pten KO prostate tumors. Finally, immunoprofiling of the different syngeneic MuCaP tumors demonstrated differential numbers of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and distinct immune gene profiles with expression of CD8, INFy, and PD1 being inversely related to tumor aggressiveness. CONCLUSIONS:Collectively, we present here a well-defined MuCaP platform of in vitro and in vivo mouse prostate cancer models that may support preclinical assessment of (immune)-therapies for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) structure of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls by using diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) tract-based spatial statistic (TBSS). BACKGROUND: MS and SLE are central nervous system (CNS) diseases of autoimmune origin. Patients of both diseases present with neuropsychological impairment and formation of lesions and development of brain atrophy. The inherent differences in WM integrity of patients with these diseases compared to healthy controls are not understood. DESIGN/METHODS: The studied groups consisted of 30 relapsing-remitting MS patients (mean age of 43.8 ±8.4 and a mean disease duration of 12.1 ±7.9), 32 patients with SLE (mean age of 48.1 ±12.4 with a mean disease duration of 14.38 ±8.6) and 43 healthy controls (mean age of 44.7 ±9.8). DTI was performed on a 3T scanner in all patients and controls. The DTI images were post-processed using the FSL Software Package (Oxford, UK) and also Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTS) to correct for lesions. The images were then analyzed using a TBSS analysis. FSL9s randomize tool was used to perform permutation-based statistical inference. WM tract integrity was determined among the groups by comparing mean fractional anisotropy (FA). RESULTS: SLE patients and MS patients had decreased FA in subcortical areas compared to healthy controls (p CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that SLE and MS patients have microscopic damage to WM fiber structure compared with healthy controls. MS patients, however, have greater microscopic WM damage in the areas of high axonal traffic, like the thalamus and corpus callosum, compared to SLE patients. Supported by: National Institutes of Health grant NS049111 (J. Shucard, PI). Disclosure: Dr. Cesar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shucard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dwyer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Polak has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bergsland has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation for activities with Actelion, Biogen Idec, Bayer, Novartis, MedImmune, EMD Serono and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Benedict has received royalty payments from Psychological Assessment Resources. Dr. Benedict has received research support from Acorda Therapeutics and Biogen Idec. Dr. Shucard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Biogen Idec, Serono, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Questcor Pharmaceuticals and Novartis as a speaker and/or consultant. Dr. Zivadinov has received research support from Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Genzyme Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bracco, Questcor Pharmaceuticals and Serono, Inc.
