La elección de un aparato bucal apropiado para lograr los mejores resultados en el tratamiento de la apnea obstructiva del sueño es importante. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un aparato bucal específico, el PMPositioner, para el tratamiento del ronquido y la apnea obstructiva del sueño leve, a través de polisomnografía y la Escala de Epworth del sueño, después de seis meses de uso del mencionado aparato. Se incluyeron en el estudio 17 pacientes divididos en dos grupos: un grupo de roncadores integrado por 7 pacientes y otro grupo de 10 pacientes con apnea obstructiva leve. Los resultados fueron significativos para el segundo grupo, revelando una disminución en el índice de apnea-hipoapnea de 7,4 .plusmn; 5,0 a 3,0 .plusmn; 2,5 (p <0,05), un aumento de la saturación de oxígeno en un rango de 88,0 .plusmn; 6,0 a 90,0 .plusmn; 2,8 (p <0,05), aumento del sueño REM de 16,0.plusmn;4,0 a 19.plusmn;6,0 y una mejora de la somnolencia en la Escala Epworth de 12,5.plusmn;5,4 a 7,4.plusmn;2,4. Asimismo, se constató una disminución en los ronquidos y los síntomas subjetivos de acuerdo a lo informado por los pacientes y sus parejas. Se concluyó que el aparato bucal evaluado, PMPositioner, fue efectivo en el tratamiento de los ronquidos y la apnea obstructiva leve, así como en la reducción de la somnolencia y de otros síntomas

The choice of an adequate oral appliance is very important in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The present study evaluated the effect of PMPositioner for the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea through polysomnography and Epworth Sleep Scale prior to treatment and after six months. Seventeen patients, divided into 2 groups, snoring (n=7) and 10 with mild obstructive sleep apnea were enrolled. The results were significant for obstructive sleep apnea group reveling a decrease in the apnea/hypopnea index from 7.4.plusmn;5.0 to 3.0.plusmn;2.5 (p<0.05), an increase in oxigen saturation from 88.0.plusmn;6.0 to 90.0.plusmn;2.8 (p<0.05), an increase in REM sleep from 16.0.plusmn;6.0 to 19.plusmn;4.0 and a sleepiness improved in from 12.5.plusmn;5.4 to 7.4.plusmn;2.4. Furthermore, it was noticed an improvement in snoring and subjective symptoms according to reports from the patients and their partners. We conclude that the PM Positioner is efficient in the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea and in reduction of sleepiness and others symptoms

The present study aimed to assess the effects of low-level laser (660 nm) on myonecrosis caused by the insertion of Bothrops neuwiedi venom in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 24 each): Group S (0.9% saline solution); Group V (venom) and Group VLLL (venom plus low-level laser). These categories were subdivided into four additional groups (n = 6) based on the euthanasia timing (3 hours, 24 hours, 3 days and 7 days). The groups V and VLLL were inoculated with 100 µL of concentrated venom (40 µg/mL) in the gastrocnemius muscle. The muscle was irradiated using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs) at 35 mW power and 4 J/cm² energy density for 3 hours, 24 hours, 3 days or 7 days after venom inoculation. To evaluate the myotoxic activity of the venom, CK activity was measured and the muscle was histologically analyzed. The low-level laser reduced venom-induced CK activity in the groups euthanized at 3 hours, 24 hours and 3 days (p < 0.0001). Histological analysis revealed that low-level laser reduced neutrophilic inflammation as well as myofibrillar edema, hemorrhage and myonecrosis following B. neuwiedi envenomation. These results suggest that low-level laser can be useful as an adjunct therapy following B. neuwiedi envenomation.