Background Laser acupuncture is one of the complementary modalities used for treating osteoarthritis. The study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in the treatment of grade 2 knee osteoarthritis. Patients and methods Forty patients having bilateral knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups (20 patients in each group). The patients of the first group were subjected to 12 laser sessions at the following acupoints (St 35, St36, Sp9, Sp10 and Gb 34). During each session, laser of 90 mw was directed to each acupoint for 1 min giving energy of 5.4 joules. Energy of 21.6 joules was directed to ashi points. The laser had a wavelength of 808 nm, beam diameter 2 mm and was applied with a continuous wave. The cases of the second group were used as controls. Each patient is exposed to sham laser (laser probe is directed to the same acupoints while the device is off). Results The 20 patients receiving laser showed significant improvement in pain on (VAS), increase in serum beta-endorphin and a decrease in substance P more than those exposed to sham laser. Conclusions Laser acupuncture is a safe and cheap tool for management of grade 2 knee osteoarthritis.

AIM:The aim of this study was to compare efficiency of three types of obesity management protocols: dietary measures and physical activity; acupuncture or laser acupuncture with healthy diet among obese females. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Randomized longitudinal prospective study, carried out on 76 adult females. Blood pressure, anthropometric, ultrasonographic and biochemical assessments were done. RESULTS:Females undergo nutritional intervention showed highly significant improvement in the anthropometric measurements, visceral fat at umbilicus by US and diastolic blood pressure (decreased), and insignificant differences in fasting blood sugar and lipid profile. Female undergo acupuncture intervention showed highly significant improvement in visceral fat by US, lipid profile (decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL, and increased HDL), and decreased fasting blood sugar, and insignificant differences in the anthropometric measurements. Those undergo laser intervention showed highly significant improvement in all anthropometric measurements under study, visceral fat at umbilicus by US, blood pressure and some parameters of lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol and LDL). CONCLUSIONS:Nutritional intervention alone could be used to reduce weight if the lipid profile within normal range, but if it is impaired, acupuncture should be used beside. To strength the reduction in body anthropometry, laser intervention was recommended beside the nutritional intervention.

Introduction: Great concern has been raised recently concerning the therapeutic impact of soybean. The present study aims to investigate the effects of soybean on bone health and metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. Methods: In this clinical study, 72 healthy postmenopausal women aged between 45-65 years were given soybean bioactive fraction 2 capsules (500mg each) daily for 24 weeks. Each capsule contained 31.25 mg proteins, 3.2 mg carbohydrates and 4.84 mg isoflavones. Blood pressure, bone mineral density, plasma osteocalcin (OCN), telopeptides of collagen type I (CTX), fasting insulin and blood glucose, lipid profile, serum creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and TSH were assessed prior and after the period of the study. Insulin resistance was calculated by homeostatic model assessment-IR formula (HOMA-IR). Results: Soy ingestion resulted in a significant increase in T score of the hip and OCN; recording -1.97±0.13/-1.76±0.12 and 22.44±0.60ng/ml/30.93±0.57ng/ml before/after treatment, respectively. A marked decrease was also detected in CTX from 2.22±0.10ng/ml to 1.48±0.08ng/ml. With regard to metabolic parameters, there was a significant decrease in fasting insulin (5.40±0.62uU/ml vs 4.15±0.45uU/ ml), however, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR showed no significant alterations. Lipid profile displayed remarkable decline in total cholesterol (188.86±7.23mg/dl vs 159.60±4.72mg/dl, triglycerides (97.09±5.23mg/dl vs 83.56±4.27mg/dl), LDL-c (75.60±3.06mg/dl vs 63.95±1.86mg/ dl) accompanied with a significant elevation in HDL-c (53.09±0.88 vs 65.81mg/dl±0.80mg/ dl). A significant decrease in both TSH (1.97±0.13 uIU/ml vs 1.40±0.08 uIU/ml) and serum creatinine (0.82±0.02mg/dl vs0.77±0.02mg/dl) was also noticed. Conclusion: Consumption of soy improves bone health, reduces cardiovascular risk with no adverse effects on kidney, liver or thyroid functions.

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AIM:The aim of this study was to compare efficiency of three types of obesity management protocols: dietary measures and physical activity; acupuncture or laser acupuncture with healthy diet among obese females. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Randomized longitudinal prospective study, carried out on 76 adult females. Blood pressure, anthropometric, ultrasonographic and biochemical assessments were done. RESULTS:Females undergo nutritional intervention showed highly significant improvement in the anthropometric measurements, visceral fat at umbilicus by US and diastolic blood pressure (decreased), and insignificant differences in fasting blood sugar and lipid profile. Female undergo acupuncture intervention showed highly significant improvement in visceral fat by US, lipid profile (decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL, and increased HDL), and decreased fasting blood sugar, and insignificant differences in the anthropometric measurements. Those undergo laser intervention showed highly significant improvement in all anthropometric measurements under study, visceral fat at umbilicus by US, blood pressure and some parameters of lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol and LDL). CONCLUSIONS:Nutritional intervention alone could be used to reduce weight if the lipid profile within normal range, but if it is impaired, acupuncture should be used beside. To strength the reduction in body anthropometry, laser intervention was recommended beside the nutritional intervention.