It is widely known that alcoholism can lead to many changes
in human body functions, including the functions of the nervous system, liver,
and pancreas. A study by Limoni and de Arruda focuses on the effects of alcoholism on the musculature of the body and
also notes on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chronic alcoholism can lead to muscle
weakness and even muscle atrophy. Though
not many studies have been done on this aspect of alcoholism, physical therapy
can help in the rehabilitation of those with alcoholism. The study observes the effect that excessive
alcohol consumption has on the muscles of rats and the effects that
electrostimulation has as a form of rehabilitation.
Twenty rats were used, split into four groups: a control
group, a group treated with ethanol, a group that was treated with
electrostimulation, and a group that was treated with both ethanol and
electrostimulation. At the end of the study, the rats were euthanized and their
muscles removed to obtain results. The
body weight, blood glucose concentration levels, muscle weight, and glycogen
reserve levels were observed. It was found that the group treated with
ethanol and the group treated with both ethanol and electrostimulation had
lower body weights than the control group and the group treated with only
electrostimulation, though the weights of the ethanol plus electrostimulation
group were closer to the weights of the control and electrostimulation group
than were the weights of the ethanol group.
Similar results were seen with blood glucose levels, muscle weight, and
glycogen reserve levels. The study gives
evidence that electrostimulation can help reduce the effects that alcoholism
can have on muscles in the body, including muscle weakness and decreased muscle
weight.
Limoni, Ederson, and Eder de Arruda. "Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in glycogen muscle reserves because of ingestion of ethanol: a study in rats." Einstein (São Paulo) 11.1 (2013): n. pag. SciELO. Web. 25 May 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment