Arsenic affects large populations and attacks, among others, the nervous system. Waterborne or occupational exposure causes electrophysiological alterations and motor disturbances in humans, and analogous effects were found in animals. Certain phytochemicals may be protective against As-caused damages. In the present study it was investigated whether the flavonoid rutin, applied via the drinking water (2 g/L), ameliorates the effects of arsenic given by gavage (10 mg/kg b.w., in form of NaAsO2) on open field motility, evoked cortical and peripheral electrophysiological activity, and body weight gain in adult male Wistar rats. Body weight gain was significantly reduced from the 4th week of the 6 weeks arsenic treatment and this effect was largely abolished by rutin in the combination treatment group. Rats treated by arsenic alone showed decreased open field motility; latency of the cortical evoked potentials increased and peripheral nerve conduction velocity decreased. These functional alterations were also counteracted by co-administration of rutin, and both the antioxidant and the chelating activity of rutin might have contributed to the ameliorative effect. These results are apparently novel and support the potential role of natural agents in preserving human health in a contaminated environment.

Nervous system damage is one of the consequences of oral exposure to waterborne inorganic arsenic. In this work, the role of oxidative status in the neurotoxicity of arsenic and the possible role of two foodborne antioxidants in ameliorating arsenic-related oxidative stress were investigated. Male Wistar rats were given 10 mg/kg b.w. of trivalent inorganic arsenic (in the form of NaAsO2), 5 day/week for 6 weeks by gavage, combined with vitamin C solution (1 g/l) or green tea infusion (2.5 g in 500 ml boiled water) as antioxidants given in the drinking fluid. Body weight gain was reduced by arsenic from the second week and the antioxidants had no effect on that. Cortical evoked potentials had increased latency, tail nerve conduction velocity was reduced, and this latter effect was counteracted by the antioxidants. The effect of green tea was stronger than that of vitamin C, and green tea also diminished lipid peroxidation induced by As. There was fair correlation between brain As levels, electrophysiological changes, and lipid peroxidation, suggesting a causal relationship. Natural antioxidants might be useful in the protection of the central nervous system against the toxicity of oral As.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease associated with chronic pain. Many patients treat their joint pain at a symptomatic level with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, often without the knowledge of their physicians. The aim of this study was to provide physicians with data about osteoarthritic patients’ habits of pain management and to examine the explanatory factors of various ways of self-treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 189 patients with hip or knee OA and scheduled for joint replacement surgery was carried out. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and questions about their methods of alleviating pain. Results: 2.6% of patients did not use anything to alleviate their pain, while 63% practiced a non-pharmacological method. Diclofenac was the most frequently used drug, followed by ibuprofen. Profession had the greatest impact on medication habits; patients doing manual work were significantly more likely to take OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and use topical analgesics. Conclusions: Patients utilized a wide variety of pain management techniques. They seemed to use well-known painkillers, even if their side effects were less desirable. Such patients require comprehensive pain management, including educational and behavioural interventions, complemented by topical and oral medication.