ΒΔΕΛΛΑ AAA Hirudo medicinalis Medical leeches ΒΔΕΛΛΑ ΒΔΕΛΛΕΣ βδέλλα βδέλλες θεραπεία με βδέλλες

2011-11-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

‘Η χρήση ιατρικών βδελλών (Hirudo medicinalis) στις χώρες της Ευρώπης, των ΗΠΑ και στη Ρωσία’.

Το πρώτο και μοναδικό βιβλίο στην ελληνική γλώσσα για θεραπεία με βδέλλες:
με 15€ ΜΟΝΟ

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Με συγγραφή και φροντίδα της Ιατρού κ. Αλεξάνδρας Νοβοτσίδου, κυκλοφόρησε από τις πολύ γνωστές ιατρικές εκδόσεις Γιάννη Β.Παρισιάνου ένα νέο βιβλίο με το πολύ ενδιαφέρον θέμα: ‘Η χρήση ιατρικών βδελλών (Hirudo medicinalis) στις χώρες της Ευρώπης, των ΗΠΑ και στη Ρωσία’.Στην επιμέλεια επιπλέον συμμετείχαν οι: Διευθυντής του Κ.Υ. Κλειτορίας, Δρ.Ν.Χ.Ραζής, Ιατρός κ. Μπονάτσος, Ιατρός κ. Ρέντεσης και η Επισκέπτρια Υγείας κ. Σχορτσιανίτη.
Το θέμα του βιβλίου αποτελεί αιχμή της σύγχρονης Ιατρικής και, επιπρόσθετα, αποσαφηνίζει και επανατοποθετεί σε στέρεη και σαφή βάση τις ενδείξεις, τεχνικές και νομικές πτυχές κατά τη χρήση των ιατρικών βδελλών.
Όπως αναφέρει στον πρόλογό του ο Δρ.Ν.Χ.Ραζής (Συντονιστής Εκπαιδευόμενων Γενικής Ιατρικής). “Συγχαίρω ιδιαίτερα τη νέα συνάδελφο κ. Νοβοτσίδου Αλεξάνδρα και την ομάδα της, για το πολύ αξιόλογο, τεκμηριωμένο και ερμηνευτικό αυτό πόνημά τους, που κατά την εκτίμησή μου θα καλύψει ένα κενό στην υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία”. Είναι πρώτο και μοναδικό βιβλίο στην ελληνική γλώσσα για θεραπεία με βδέλλες.

2010-06-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

Βδέλλες: καλλιέργεια και παραγωγή προϊόντων

Leech therapy for penoscrotal oedema in patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma.

2010-06-07T03:05:00.000-07:00

Philip-J; Armitage-DW; Phillips-KR; Parr-NJ
BJU-International. 2003, 91: 6, 579-580; 4 ref.

Three men (aged 69, 70 and 74 years) with locally advanced prostate adenocarcinoma presented with acute penoscrotal oedema [UK; date not given]. All three patients underwent radical radiotherapy, and were receiving hormonal manipulation. They developed worsening urinary symptoms, with a marked rise in prostate-specific antigen level of 125-200% over 6 months. All three patients developed severe penoscrotal oedema, while two patients also developed unilateral lower limb oedema. Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) application on the penis and scrotum was then considered. The penoscrotal area was cleansed with soap and water, and rinsed clean. A damp gauze with a central hole was used as a site marker. Leeches were applied to the patients, with the gauze hampering migration. The leeches were left "on-site" until they became engorged and released their suckers (normally in 15-40 minutes). The puncture sites continued to ooze serum for the next 6-10 h. The wounds were observed for signs of infection. The process was repeated daily until the oedema subsided. Oedema was markedly decreased in all patients, and had near-normal scrotal size and symptomatic relief. Leech application was repeated for 6, 11 and 15 days, respectively, on each patient. The patients were initially apprehensive about leech application, but this diminished as the benefits became apparent to each. There was no significant decrease in haemoglobin concentration ( <>Leech therapy in penile replantation: a case of recurrent penile self-amputation.
Mineo,-M; Jolley,-T; Rodriguez,-G
Urology. 2004 May; 63(5): 981-3

Penile amputation is a rare urologic trauma for which immediate surgical replantation is indicated. Microsurgical techniques can reduce skin and graft loss complications; nonetheless, such complications are still highly prevalent. We report a case of self-inflicted penile amputation and describe a nonmicrosurgical technique for replantation. To improve postoperative edema due to venous congestion, we applied medicinal leeches to the penis. The edema quickly resolved, but overlying skin loss occurred, which required superficial debridement. At follow-up the patient had glans re-epithelialization with normal voiding, sensation, and erections. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of nonmicrosurgical penile replantation with leech therapy.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Leech Therapy

2010-06-07T02:53:00.000-07:00

Posted by Omid on July 10, 2009 at 12:15am

Cutting-Edge News RoomSince the early days of the 20th century, people have been using leeches to treat cardiovascular diseases because of the Hirudin enzyme in the leeches saliva, a substance which has systemic anticoagulative effects. A physician would usually prescribe the use of leeches when a person suffered a stroke or heart attack. Also, Hirudin stimulates segmental reflex mechanisms and this contributes to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.IT'S TIME TO SHAKE UP YOUR DIET!!
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Hirudin and DrugsIt was only when anticoagulants such as aspirin and heparin were invented that the use of leeches declined. The effects of aspirin which are the inhibition of platelet aggregation and for the dissolving of thrombus or embolus, or thrombolysis, were found to be much more effective in treating cardiovascular conditions. However, scientists began to investigate further uses of Hirudin for cardiovascular conditions and they found Recombinant Hirudin was useful for Myocardial Infarctions (MI) and unlike heparin; hirudin was actually a direct thrombin inhibitor which did not need to have a cofactor like antithrombin III. Also, hirudin could inactivate fibrin-bound thrombins. However, the effects of the drugs derived from hirudin were much too potent and caused quite massive hemorrhagic adverse effects. Because of this, hirudin was not considered a good primary treatment for myocardial infarction; however, they found that it was a good treatment for Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia Type 2.Natural Leech TherapyNatural leech therapy that is, the actual application of live leeches on the skin, was believed to have been an effective treatment for thrombosis and other coronary syndromes and Leeches have also been used to treat hypertension. Because leeches suck a host's blood and its hirudin has anticoagulative properties, it may cause hypovolemic hemodilution which are two of the things that will reduce the pressure of the blood flow on the walls of the blood vessels, thus leading to reduction in blood pressure. However, it should be noted that since there are much more effective treatments for the reduction of blood pressure, such as anti-hypertensive drugs, leech therapy is now mostly considered as an adjuvant therapy rather than an actual first-line treatment.Application of Leech TherapyAside from those mentioned above, there are many conditions where leech therapy is considered useful. Leech therapy is sometimes used for Coronary Heart disease, where atheromatous plaques accumulate within the walls of the arteries that provide the blood supply for the myocardium.It is also used for ischemic heart disease, where the blood supply to the heart is reduced. For this condition, leeches are applied to specific areas. During the first session, only about two to three leeches are used in each area, but as the treatment progresses, as many as 12 leeches can be used. During the first week, leech therapy can be applied every day if possible, leading to three times a week, over a course of approximately three to four weeks, depending on the individual.For cardiovascular diseases, a minimum of three to four leeches can be applied to each specific area during the first session. Thereafter, up to 14 leeches can be applied. This treatment is usually applied three times a week for a total of ten applications, depending on the severity of the disease.For Valvular heart diseases, again, leeches are placed in specific areas twice a week. Treatment is usually applied for a minimum of twelve sessions.Leech therapy is effective against these diseases, including hypertension because of its ability to relieve the stagnation of the blood in the vessels. When a leech is applied over a certain area, the blood flow to that area will increase, leading to better circulation. In fact, there are several cases where the patients’ overall wellbeing is improved after leech therapy and rejuvenation takes place.By TTS Holistic Counselor Mehdi Jaffari

2010-03-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

Βδέλλες: καλλιέργεια και παραγωγή προϊόντων

External decontamination of wild leeches with hypochloric acid

2010-02-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

Atakan Aydin,1 Hasan Nazik,2 Samet Vasfi Kuvat,1 Nezahat Gurler,2 Betigul Ongen,2 Serdar Tuncer,1 Emre Hocaoglu,1 and Sinan Nur Kesim1

1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
Corresponding author.
Atakan Aydin: atakanaydin@yahoo.com
; Hasan Nazik: hasannazik01@yahoo.com
; Samet Vasfi Kuvat: gulerb@netone.com.tr
; Nezahat Gurler: gurlerb@netone.com.tr
; Betigul Ongen: ongenb@istanbul.edu.tr
; Serdar Tuncer: serdartuncer@hotmail.com
; Emre Hocaoglu: emrehocaoglu@hotmail.com
; Sinan Nur Kesim: snkesim@yahoo.com

Received January 19, 2004; Accepted August 25, 2004.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
Background
Medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, to relieve venous congestion and to improve the microrevascularization of flaps. In many countries, wild leeches are still provided from local markets and utilised with antibiotic prophylaxies. In this research, results of identification of bacteria in the transport fluid is reported, oral and intestinal floras and the antibiograms of the identified microorganisms are investigated. Also, to avoid possible infections, the ability of hypochloric acid, a disinfectant, to suppress the relevant microorganisms without changing the life style and behavior of leeches in terms of sucking function, is investigated.
Methods
Bacterial identifications and antibiograms of oral and intestinal flora and transport medium were performed for 10 leeches. The optimum concentration of hypochloric acid which eliminated microorganisms without affecting the viability and sucking function of the leeches were determined by dilution of hypochloric acid to 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm concentrations in different groups of 25 leeches. Finally, 20 leeches were applied atraumatically to the bleeding areas of rats, the duration of suction was determined and compared statistically between the leeches treated and not treated with hypochloric acid solution.
Results
Aeromonas hydrophilia was the most commonly identified microorganism and found to be resistant to first generation cephalosporins, frequently used in prophylaxis at surgical wards. In the next stages of the study, the leeches were subjected to a series of diluted hypochloric acid solutions. Although disinfection of the transport material and suppression of the oral flora of hirudo medicinalis were successful in 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm concentrations; 12.5 ppm solution was the greatest concentration in which hirudo medicinalis could survive and sucking function was not affected significantly.
Conclusions
External decontamination of wild leeches with 12.5 ppm hypochloric acid enables bacterial suppression without causing negative effects on leech sucking function and life.

Background
The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been used with increasing frequency during the past few decades for salvage of venous compromised pedicled flaps, microvascular free-tissue transfers and replantations. Although the therapeutic use of leeches in medicine dates back 50 BC; for centuries they were collected from various water supplies and utilised under septic conditions with the risk of wound infection and infestation. The supply of leeches was modernized by medicinal leech farm set up in the 1970s [1].
Today, leech therapy is indicated in plastic and reconstructive surgery, to relieve venous congestion and to improve the microrevascularization of flaps (Fig (Fig11,,22,,33,,4)4) or replants with an increase in success rate by 60%–83%. However, in the presence of infection as a complication of medicinal use of leeches; the success rate for flap salvage may decrease to ≤ 30% [2]. Aeromonas is the most common microorganism in leech infections and may cause a wide spectrum of deseases such as cellulitis, ocular infections, arthritis, myocarditis, peritonitis, meningitis, bacteremia and sepsis [2-5]. In many countries, wild leeches are still provided from local markets and utilised in many plastic and reconstructive surgery clinics depending on antibiotic prophylaxies.

Late follow up of the salvaged flap.
In the first stage of the study, bacterial content of the transport fluid of leeches that were bought from local markets were studied, also oral and intestinal flora cultures and antibiograms of the identified microorganisms were performed subsequently.
In the next stages hypochloric acid, a disinfectant, was tested on animals that were not bred in specific laboratories, to suppress the relevant microorganisms in order to avoid possible infections, without changing the life style and behavior of leeches in terms of sucking function.

Methods
This study was approved by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee of our institution.
Stage 1
Ten leeches were obtained with their 100 cc original water from different stores. Their sizes varied between 6–10 cm in length and 0, 5 – 1, 5 cm in width. They were transported in sterile boxes immersed in the water which the animals were kept at the market. For 2 days they were observed at room temperature. Specimens were taken and smears from transport fluids were prepared. All leeches were held with sterile gloves and prepared in sterile conditions. Specimens were obtained from their mouth (the smaller and more mobile pole) with the help of sterile cotton – swab. After traction was applied between the mouth and posterior muscular organ, the animal was cleaned with alcoholic solution of povidone-iodine, as described by Hokelek et al. [6]. A longitudinal incision was made on the animal and crop or intestine was exposed (Figure (Figure5).5). Using sterile cotton-swabs, smears were prepared from the intestinal material and they were planted in MacConkey and blood agars in 5 minutes. The growth was observed after 24–48 hours of incubation at 37°C. In addition to classical bacterial identification methods, Analytical Profile Index 32 GN (BioMérieux, France) kit was also used for identification. Further biochemical studies were made on microorganisms that were found to be A. hydro/caviae and A. sobria for definite identification. Since bacterial growth was observed in specimens taken from oral and intestinal flora or transport fluid of all animals except one ; antibiograms for aeromonas isolates were performed.

Intestinal exploration of Hirudo medicinalis and taking specimen with cotton swab.
Stage2
30 leeches from different stores were obtained and transported in different sterile boxes with their 100 cc original water as in stage 1. On the following day, samples were taken from transport fluids and oral region and planted in MacConkey and blood agar. Twenty five leeches, which had bacterial growth in either oral flora or transport water were used for the second stage. 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 ppm solutions were prepared by adding apropriate amounts of hypochloric acid into the transport fluids of 25 leeches seperately with five animals in each concentration group. After 10 minutes of contact with hypochloric acid solutions at 20°C, smears were taken from mouths and transport fluids of each leech under sterile conditions with cotton-swabs. Cotton-swabs were put into a neutralizing media (lecithinized agar media) because they could also contain disinfectant fluid which would prevent microorganism reproduction. Then the neutralized smears were planted into MacConkey and blood agar [7]. The leeches were then put into boxes containing distilled water and observed. Although the leeches which had been left in the 100, 50, 25 ppm solutions lost their muscular activity and died ;the leeches which were treated with 12.5 and 6.25 ppm hypochloric acid solutions were alive. Bacterial growth was not observed in either concentration group for the specimens taken from oral flora and transport fluid, however bacterial cultures were positive for in specimens taken from the intestine or crop. Of these microorganisms, bacterial colonies for Aeromonas spp were counted. To compare the changes in the number of Aeromonas colonies in leech intestinal flora induced with the application of hypochloric acid, the intestine of five new leeches were exposed as described for Stage 1. Based on the findings of Stage 2, a concentration of 12.5 ppm was chosen for Stage 3 studies.
Stage 3
20 leeches were obtained with their 100 cc original water from different stores and equally divided into two groups. One group was treated with hypochloric acid while the others had no treatment at all. After taking specimens from the transport fluids and oral floras, for 10 leeches 12.5 ppm hypochloric acid solution was prepared with the transport fluids. After waiting for 10 min at 20°C temperature, smears were taken from the oral floras and fluids again. All leeches were put into boxes containing distilled water and watched for survival and blood suction function on sedated rats (ketamine 30 mg/kg and xylazine 10 mg/kg). After shaving dorsal region of 20 rats, 2 mm long skin incissions were done in order to produce bleeding. The leeches were applied to the bleeding areas atraumatically and the duration of suction was determined and compared statistically (ANOVA) between the leeches treated and not treated with hypochloric acid solution. Statistical significance was presumed at p < class="first-link" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC516442/#" _sg="true">Other Sections▼
Results
Stage 1
Bacterial growth was observed in specimens taken from the oral flora in 4 animals (40%), intestinal flora in 9 animals (90%) and transport media in 5 animals (50%). In one leech, no growth was observed in either oral, intestinal and transport fluid cultures. In all culture media, 4 different gram (-) bacterial growth (aeromonas species, peudomonas species, acinetobacter species, sphingobacterium species) was observed. In one media, Gram (+) growth was seen :meticilline susceptible coagulase (-) staphylococcus. Dominant microorganisms were aeromonas species, Table 1. This was an expected result. The biochemical characterization and identification of Aeromonas spp. was investigated by using conventional methods and a commercial kit ID 32 GN ATB System (BioMérieux). In this study, with this system the results were obtained as A. hydro/caviae, A. sobria, A. salmonicidia and A. spp, with the latter nomenclature designating all other Aeromonas species. The most commonly encountered agents, A. hydro/caviae and A. sobria underwent further biochemical studies, as suggested by Abbott, et al.[4]. As a result, it was seen that A. hydro/caviae was in fact A. hydrophila, and A. sobria was in fact A. veronii biovar sobria (Table 2) Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion method according to NCCLS (National Commity Clinical Laboratory Standart / American). The Aeromonas spp. were found to be susceptible to third generation cephalosporines, aminoglycosides and co-trimoxazole, and all aeromonas spp. were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam and amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (Table 3). Three Aeoromonas spp. were found to have inducable beta lactamase which meant that although they were susceptible, they might develop resistance to beta lactams other than carbapenems during treatment.
Stage 2
Fluid and oral flora cultures that were prepared before hypochloric acid application showed multiple microorganism growth, as it was in stage 1. After adding hypochloric acid there was no growth in transport fluid and oral media cultures in either concentration so that no identification and antibiogram study could be performed. After 10 minutes in hypochloric acid solution, leeches were taken to sterile containers which contained distilled water. The muscle activity of all leeches that had been treated in 100 ppm solution ended in 3 min, in 50 ppm ended in 7 min, in 25 ppm ended in 21 min and they died eventually. The ones which had been immersed in 12.5 ppm and 6.25 ppm solutions survived. The Aeromonas colonies in the intestinal flora of these last two groups were compared with the control animals'. With respect to colony suppression, while the difference between the control group, 12.5 ppm group was significant, (p < f =" 30.1,"> 0.05, F = 2.6, ANOVA).
In 70 % of cultures that were prepared from transport fluids of leeches and in 50% of cultures that were prepared from oral floras of leeches before hypochloric acid application, bacterial growth (mainly Aeromonas spp) were observed. After hypochloric acid application no growth was observed in any of the specimens taken from animals, therefore no identifications or antibiograms could be performed.

Discussion
Many reports showed that venous compromise is a more common complication than arterial occlusion in free-tissue transfers. Although surgical correction is the first choice for management of venous compromised flaps ; in cases where surgical correction is not feasible or fails, nonsurgical procedures such as exanguination treatments can be used. Among them, medicinal leech therapy has become widely accepted to promote perfusion of venous compromised flaps and to relieve congestion. However there are reports in the literature concerning about infections specially with aeromonas bacteria after leech therapy calling attention for appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis [8,9].
Many species of Aeromonas survive in water. These also can live in materials embedded in water, drainage tubes, fountains and containers for distilled water. Among other aeromonas species A. hydrophilia is the mostly isolated one from the intestines of leeches. Hemoglobin that is sucked by the leech is denaturated by aeromonas. One of the products, heme, is used by aeromonas and the other, globulin, is used by the leech[10]. This shows the endosymbiotic relationship of leeches and aeromonas. Many investigators isolated aeromonas spp as the dominant bacteria in infections related with leech usage [11-13]. Aeromonas spp. can cause infections with contamination through the bite point of the leech or on the macerated skin. The infections caused by these microorganisms can be minimized by easy measures. Leeches should not be handled with the forceps from the containers because these traumas can cause regurgitation of the leech into the wound and eventual contamination. Therefore, leeches should be taken with sterilized gloves without traumatisation of the animal. Same care should be taken while carrying the leech from the wound. When the leech is filled up, it puts itself off. If it is taken before this time, the risk of regurgitation is high. Low amounts of cigarette smoke or a heat source can be used in order to cause the leech to put itself off. During leech application, the routine surgical antibiotic prophylaxis must be changed because aeromonas spp. are resistant to first generation cephalosporins which are widely used at surgical wards. These are usually susceptible to third generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and quinolones. Lineaweaver et al. recommended third generation cephalosporins for the prophylaxis of surgical procedures after which leeches were utilised [10,12].
In countries, where special farms for medicinal leeches do not exist, animals obtained from markets should be studied for their floras and antibiotic susceptibilities. Eroğlu et al. investigated the floras and the antibiotic susceptibility of leeches in Black Sea region. Most commonly A. hydrophila, Ochrobacter antropia, nonfermantating gram (-) rods, Acinetobacter Iwofii and A sobria were isolated. All of the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacine, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, gentamycine and trimetoprim-sulfamethoxasole [14]. Likewise, we aimed to investigate the general flora of leeches we use occasionally and antibiotic susceptibility of these bacteria. Our results correlated with the other studies about this subject in the literature. The interesting observation in our study was there were 3 Aeromonas hydrophylia colonies which produced inducable betalactamase. In case of infections with these species, beta lactam antibiotics except carbapenems should not be used.
In addition, we aimed to supress possible bacterial contamination of the transport media and oral floras of leeches but not intestinal flora because of the endosymbiotic relationship of the aeromonas and leech, with hypochloric acid solutions at disinfectant concentrations that does not affect the life style of leeches.
Investigators have attempted to disinfect the guts of leeches before they are placed on patients by placing the ectoparasites in % 0.02 chlorhexidine for 15 seconds or in antibiotic solutions (tetracycline or cefoperazone solutions) for 12 hours, but these attempts were unsuccessful [2]. Mackay et al. incubated leeches in solutions of antibiotics to which Aeromonas spp. are sensitive for 12 hours but could not eradicate aeromonas from the intestines [11].
We preferred hypochloric acid which is an ideal disinfectant and has a wide antibacterial spectrum for desired purpose. Chlorine in the form of hypochloric acid exhibits rapid microbicidal activity by inhibiting of key enzymatic reactions within the cell and eventual protein denaturation. It has a rapid bactericidal effect and can dissolve in water. However, it has some disadvantages as it irritates mucosal membranes, has interactions with some chemicals and metals [15].
It was showed that bactericidal effect of hypochloric acid of 100 ppm concentrations on pseudomonas was achieved within 10 min exposure [7]. Aeromonas spp. cause similar nosocomial infections and has similar antibiotic susceptibility with pseudomonas spp. Therefore, in the second stage of our study, beginning with 100 ppm, we applied decreasing concentrations of hypochloric acid in transportation fluids, observed bacterial growth by taking specimens from transport material and oral flora of hirudo medicinalis. We tried to find the dilution ratio that was closest to 100 ppm, suppresing oral flora and transfer liquid and also allowing the leech to survive with normal function. As a result of the second stage of the study we found out that concentration to be 12.5 ppm.
In the third stage, we observed that mean sucking duration of the hypochloric acid treated group was shorter than the other group but the difference was not significant (12.2 min & 15.5 min respectively). However hypochloric acid had successful disinfection effect for transport liquid and oral flora. In our opinion, such a decrease in duration of sucking function can be preferable to infection possibility. Since leeches are much cheaper than antibiotics, it is logical to use them once, after treating with hypochloric acid, and never utilise them again.
We do not advise to use "full-up" leeches over and over again by putting them in hypertonic solutions to force them vomitting because if they regurgitate, the intestinal flora can readly contaminate the environment where the leeches are kept and cause infection eventually. Although the oral flora and transport enviroment studies do not really address the problem since excretory contamination is probably the major factor in leech infections ; we believe that to take any measure in order to decrease the infection risk during utilisation of ordinary leeches is valuable.
Conclusions
We can comment that preparation of 12.5 ppm hypochloric acid solution with transport fluids of ordinary leeches obtained from the local market for 10 minutes and then taking the leeches gently from water before application can prevent possible infections caused by contamination from leech oral flora and transport medium.
Competing interest
None declared.
Author's contributions
AA and SVK participated in design of the study, involved in the dissections of leeches. EH and ST participated in the design of the study and writing of the manuscript.HN, NG and BO involved in the antibiogram tests. SNK participated in design of the study.
Pre-publication history
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/4/28/prepub

Table 4
The number of bacterial colonies before and after hypochloric acid applications of 12.5 ppm and 6.25 ppm concentrations and control group.
Other Sections▼
Abstract
Background
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Competing interest
Author's contributions
Pre-publication history
References
References
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Sartor C, Limouzin PL, Legre R, Casanova D, Bongrand MC, Sambuc R, Drancourt M. Nosocomial infections with Aeromonas hydrophila from leeches. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2002;35:1–5. doi: 10.1086/340711. [PubMed]
Fenollar F, Fournier PE, Legre R. Unusual case of Aeromonas sobria cellulitis associated with the use of leeches. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 1999;18:72–73. doi: 10.1007/s100960050232.
Abbott SL, Cheung WKW, Janda JM. The Genus Aeromonas: Biochemical Characteristics, Atypical Reactions, and Phenotypic Identification Schemes. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2003;41:2348–2356. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.6.2348-2357.2003. [PubMed]
Ouderkirk JP, Bekhor D, Turett GS, Murali R. Aeromonas Complicating Medicinal Leech Therapy. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2004;38:36–37. doi: 10.1086/381438.
Hokelek M, Guneren E, Eroglu C. An experimental study to sterilize medicinal leeches. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2002;25:81–85. doi: 10.1007/s00238-002-0348-x.
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Utley DS, Koch RJ, Goode RL. The failing flap in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery:role of the medicinal leech. Laryngoscope. 1998;108:1129–1135. doi: 10.1097/00005537-199808000-00005. [PubMed]
Richerson JT, Davis JA, Meystrik R. Aeromonas, acclimation, and penicillin as complications when leeches are applied to skin flaps in rabbits. Laboratory Animals. 1990;24:147–150. [PubMed]
Mackay DR, Manders EK, Saggers GC, Banducci DR, Prinsloo J, Klugman K. Aeromonas species isolated from medicinal leeches. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2000;45:568–569.
Lineaweaver WC, Hill MK, Buncke GM, Follansbee S, Buncke HJ, Wong RK, Manders EK, Grotting JC, Anthony J, Mathes SJ. Aeromonas hydrophila infections following use of medicinal leeches in replantation and flap surgery. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 1992;29:238–244. [PubMed]
Graf J. Symbiosis of Aeromonas veronii Biovar sobria and Hirudo medicinalis, the Medicinal Leech: a Novel Model for Digestive Tract Associations. Infection and Immunity. 1999;67:1–7. [PubMed]
Eroglu C, Hokelek M, Guneren E, Esen S, Pekbay A, Uysal OA. Bacterial flora of hirudo medicinalis and their antibiotic sensitivities in the Middle Black Sea Region. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2001;47:70–73. doi: 10.1097/00000637-200107000-00013. [PubMed]
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Η ΒΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ των ιατρικών βδελλών

2010-02-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

Α.Νοβοτσιδου
Προστατεύεται από το νόμο περί πνευματικών δικαιωμάτων.
© Δημοσίευση και ανατύπωση των υλικών είναι δυνατή μόνο με αναφορά στο site

Ως φάρμακα χρησιμοποιούνται οι βδέλλες (Hirudo medicinalis), οι οποίες εκπροσωπούμενες από τα δύο υποείδη : Hirudo officinalis medicinalis και Hirudo medicinalis medicinalis, που καλλιεργούνται σε τεχνητές συνθήκες και χρησιμοποιούνται ως αντιθρομβωτικό (αντιπηκτικό), θρομβολυτικό και υποτασικό μέσο.
Οι Βδέλλες Hirudo medicinalis ανήκουν στα σκουλήκια τύπου Annelidia, κατηγορία Hirudinea, υποκλάση – οι πραγματικές βδέλλες Archihirudinea, οικογένεια - Hirudinidae. Το σώμα καταλήγει στα δύο άκρα με βεντούζες . Όπισθεν βεντούζα δεν έχει οπές, χρησιμοποιείται για την κατάσχεση και την κίνηση. Κεφαλική βεντούζα εμφανίζεται κατά τη στιγμή της αναρρόφησης (κόλλησης) στο σώμα η άλλο αντικείμενο. Στο βάθος οι βεντούζες έχουν τη στοματική κοιλότητα.
Η βδέλλα Hirudo medicinalis officinalis έχει μονόχρωμη πράσινη κοιλίτσα και μαύρες και πορτοκαλιές γραμμές στο πίσω μέρος της κατά μήκος. Η βδέλλα Hirudo medicinalis medicinalis έχει πράσινη κοιλίτσα με ακανόνιστες μαύρες δακρυγόνες κηλίδες, και στενές γραμμές καφέ και μαύρο χρώμα στο πίσω μέρος της.
Στοματική κοιλότητα, που βρίσκεται στο βάθος της πρόσθιας βεντούζας , έχει 3 γνάθους (1 ραχιαίο και 2 πλευρικές), κάθε σαγόνι φέρει δοντάκια από χιτίνη. Από κάθε πληγή από δάγκωμα της βδέλλας αντλείται όγκος αίματος 5-15 μλ .Γύρω από το μπροστινό μέρος του φάρυγγα και του εντέρου βρίσκονται μονοκύτταροι σιελογόνοι αδένες.
Οι αγωγοί των αδένων ανοιχτοί στο κανάλι, το οποίο συνδέεται με κάθε μία από τα 90 αιχμηρά δόντια που βρίσκονται σε κάθε μία από τα τρία σαγόνια .
Με αυτά τα δόντια η βδέλλα δαγκώνει το δέρμα σε βάθος 1,5 χιλιοστά, εκκρίνοντας έτσι το υγρό των σιελογόνων αδένων , αυτό εξακολουθεί να γίνεται καθ 'όλη την περίοδο της αναρρόφησης του αίματος .
Ένα μέρος εκκρίματος απορροφάται στο οργανισμό του ασθενή , ένα άλλο μέρος ρέει μαζί με το αίμα από τις πληγές μετά αποστασία τις βδέλλες. Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του σάλιου αναμειγνύεται με το απορροφημένο αίμα, στο εντερικό κανάλι της βδέλλας. Εντερικό κανάλι βρίσκεται κατά μήκος ολόκληρου του σώματος της βδέλλας. Έχει πολλούς αποθηκευτικούς σάκους στο εντερικό σωλήνα . Απορροφώντας το αίμα μία φορά η βδέλλα μπορεί να διατηρήσει τις ζωτικές λειτουργίες της για μεγάλο χρονικό διάστημα, μερικές φορές μέχρι ένα έτος ή περισσότερο.
Η πέψη του αίματος γίνεται στο οπίσθιο τμήμα του πεπτικού καναλιού και είναι εξαιρετικά αργή, Στην πέψη συμμετέχουν έξω- και εντοπεπτιδάσες που εκκρίνονται από τα συμβιωτικά -βακτήρια που ζουν στον εντερικό κανάλι της βδέλλας. Η χαμηλή ταχύτητα της πέψης στο εντερικό κανάλι ρυθμίζεται με αναστολείς πρωτεολυτικών ένζυμων που εκκρίνονται από το εντερικό τοίχωμα του καναλιού και περιλαμβάνονται στο υγρό των σιελογόνων αδένων .
Ιατρικές βδέλλες έχουν οσμή, γεύση και την αφή. Η Βδέλλες είναι ευαίσθητες στο σάκχαρο, στο αίμα, στο χλωριούχο νάτριο και άλλες ουσίες .
Οι πεινασμένες βδέλλες έχουν θετική φωτοταξία, ενώ χορτασμένες αποφεύγουν το φως. Οι βδέλλες αισθάνονται την παραμικρή κίνηση του νερού και κινούνται προς την πηγή των δονήσεων. Το οπτικό σύστημα των βδελλών περιέχει 5 ζευγάρια ματιών που βρίσκονται στην επιφάνεια του πρώτου τμήματος της κεφαλής, με πολλά φωτοευαίσθητα κύτταρα .

Βδελλες: θεραπευτικές Συνεδρίες

2010-01-30T04:49:00.000-08:00

http://www2.mdanderson.org/app/ir/SACSHTML/DocumentAppendix/Appendix%20G/CLN0861.pdf

2009-12-23T04:10:00.000-08:00

Για όλες τις ερωτήσεις σχετικά με τις ιατρικές βδέλλες, βδελλοθεραπεία, σεμινάρια βδελλοθεραπείας θα μπορέσετε να ενημερωθείτε:
στο τηλ. 6946622272
Δρ. Νοβοτσίδου Αλεξάνδρα

e-mail: krommida@yahoo.com

A stomatological approach to leech therapy

2009-11-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Repair of the central nervous system: Lessons from lesions in leeches

2009-11-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

Rommy von Bernhardi 1, Kenneth J. Muller 2 1Department of Pharmacology, Biocenter University of Basel Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
2Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136

Keywords
conditioning lesion • glia • laminin • microglia • nerve regeneration

Abstract
In contrast to the limited repair observed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), injured neurons in the leech reliably regenerate synapses and restore function with remarkable accuracy at the level of individual neurons. New and recent results reveal important roles for microglial cells and extracellular matrix components, including laminin, in repair. Tissue culture experiments have permitted isolation of neurons and manipulation of their environment, providing insights into the influence of substrate, electrical activity, and other cells, including microglia, on axon growth and synapse formation. The results account for distinctive features of successful repair in the adult leech, where axonal sprouting and target selection can be influenced by unequal competition between neurons. Differences between the formation of connections during embryonic development and repair in the adult include dissimilarities in the roles of glia and microglia in adults and embryos, suggesting that axon growth during regeneration in the CNS is not simply a recapitulation of processes observed during embryonic development. It may be possible in the future to improve mammalian CNS regeneration by recruiting cells whose counterparts in the leech have been identified as instrumental in repair. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Effect of leeches therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) in painful osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study

2009-11-16T03:50:00.000-08:00

Leeches therapy was a mainstay in conventional treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases throughout antiquity until the 20th century.1-3 There is now renewed interest in leeches therapy in the field of complementary medicine. Sales of the four principal German traders have increased continuously throughout the past few years and led to an estimated 70 000 treatments (350 000 leeches sold/year, four to five used for each single treatment) yearly in Germany (Roth M, unpublished data). The majority of these treatments aim at pain reduction in regional pain syndromes, mostly for knee osteoarthritis.2 With the exception of its application in plastic surgery to maintain blood flow in congested skin flaps,4 5 treatment with leeches has, however, never been evaluated in clinical studies. We conducted a non-randomised controlled pilot study to assess the onset of action and the impact of leeches therapy as an adjunctive treatment in knee osteoarthritis.

From inpatients whose main diagnosis was severe chronic back pain, we recruited over a period of three months 16 consecutive patients with primary knee osteoarthritis. All patients had had persistent knee pain for more than six months and had definite radiographic signs of knee osteoarthritis without previous injury. Major exclusion criteria were treatment with anticoagulants, secondary osteoarthritis, substantial comorbidity, and intra-articular corticosteroids in the three preceding months. All patients had an in-hospital period of 14 days and received a health education programme, with focus on exercise, physiotherapy, relaxation techniques, and diet. Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was stopped throughout the study period.

After detailed information all patients were offered additional treatment with leeches. Ten patients (eight women, mean (SD) age 69 (9) years, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.0 (4.6) kg/m2) agreed and were treated once with four leeches (Zaug GmbH, Biebertal, Germany). Six controls (five women, mean age 68 (8) years, mean BMI 27.3 (3.0) kg/m2) did not wish to be treated with leeches and were treated only conventionally. The leeches were applied by trained doctors topically at the painful knee joint (fig 1), and monitoring was carried out according to published recommendations.4 The primary outcome measure was a change in total knee pain score, assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 = no pain, 10 = extremely painful) for 10 days daily, starting three days before treatment and, additionally, in a follow up 28 days after treatment.
Figure 1 Treatment with four leeches at typical periarticular sites of the knee joint.
In comparison with the controls, leech application led to rapid relief of knee pain (p<0.05 three days after treatment, Wilcoxon two sample test), with most effect seen within 24 hours after application and sustained and clinical relevant improvement after four weeks (p<0.05, Wilcoxon matched pairs test) in the absence of complications (table 1).

Table 1 Pain ratings (VAS, 0 = no pain, 10 = extremely painful) in patients with leech treatment and in controls; mean score and 95% confidence interval ( x ± 1.96 SEM)

The mean length of treatment was 80 minutes, and the procedure was well accepted. There were no serious adverse effects and no local infections. Patients described the initial leech bite as slightly painful. There are several explanations for the observed treatment effect. The saliva of leeches contains a variety of substances such as hirudin, hyaluronidase, histamine-like vasodilators, collagenase, inhibitors of kallikrein and superoxide production, and poorly characterised anaesthetic and analgesic compounds.6-8 Therefore, a regional analgesic and antiphlogistic effect by these substances enforced by hyaluronidase as well as counter-irritation might be possible. More importantly, we do not know the non-specific (placebo) effects of this unusual treatment. We observed an apparent mood enhancement during leeching which might explain the observed rapid treatment effect, but hardly explains the lasting pain relief after four weeks.

We recognise the limitations of the present study design as the non-random allocation of treatment, no assessment of functional improvement, and the small sample size. However, we regard the observed clear treatment effect as remarkable; treatment with leeches reduced pain significantly after three days and up to four weeks. The efficacy and safety of this traditional treatment in knee osteoarthritis should therefore be tested in larger randomised controlled trials.

Acknowledgments
The study was supported by Karl and Veronika Carstens Foundation, Germany.

A MICHALSEN, U DEUSE, T ESCH, G DOBOS
Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Am Deimelsberg 34a, D-45276 Essen, Germany

S MOEBUS
Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany

Correspondence to: Privat Dozent Dr med G Dobos gustav.dobos@uni-essen.de
References

1. Giacometti L. Leeching in the twentieth century. Am J Cardiol 1987;60:1128-1131[Medline].
2. Müller IW. Handbuch der Blutegeltherapie. Heidelberg: Haug, 2000.
3. Shah S. Why leeches influence my physical examination. Lancet 1998;352:2014-2015[Medline].
4. Kraemer BA, Korber KE, Aquino TI, Engleman A. Use of leeches in plastic and reconstructive surgery: a review. J Reconstr Microsurg 1988;4:381-386[Medline].
5. Weinfeld AB, Yuksel E, Boutros S, Gura DH, Akyurek M, Friedman JD. Clinical and scientific considerations in leech therapy for the management of acute venous congestion: an updated review. Ann Plast Surg 2000;45:207-212[Medline].
6. Sawyer RT. Leech biology and behaviour. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986.
7. Rigbi M, Levy HZ, Iraqi F, Teitelbaum M, Orevi M, Alajoutsijarvi A, et al. The saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis -I. Biochemical characterisation of the high molecular weight fraction. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 1987;87:567-573.
8. Orevi M, Rigbi M, Hy-Am E, Matzner Y, Eldor A. A potent inhibitor of platelet activating factor from the saliva of the leech Hirudo medicinalis. Prostaglandins 1992;43:483-495[Medline].

Γενικές πληροφορίες για τις ιατρικές βδέλλες

2009-10-13T00:24:00.000-07:00

Στη φύση υπάρχουν περίπου 400 είδη βδελλών, αλλά από αυτές μόνο τρία είναι τα είδη Hirudo που χρησιμοποιούνται στην ιατρική. Άνθρωποί χρησιμοποιούν τις βδέλλες στη ιατρική πάνω από 3500 χιλιάδες χρόνια. Πρώτες γραπτές αποδείξεις διασώθηκαν από την εποχή του Ιπποκράτη. Βδέλλες χρησιμοποιούσαν στην αρχαία ινδική αλλά και κινέζικη ιατρική. Ζωγραφιές με την βδελλοθεραπεία βρέθηκαν στους τάφους των Φαραώ. Στα παραμύθια του βασιλιά Σολόμωντα επίσης έχει την περιγραφή της βδελλοθεραπείας . Στην Ελλάδα η βδελλοθεραπεία αναφέρεται στο έργο του Νικάνδρου του Κολοφωνίου (2ος αι. π.Χ.) τα "Αλεξιφάρμακα". Ρωμαίος γιατρός Γαλέων περιγράφει την βδελλοθεραπεία σαν μέθοδο ισορροπίας στον οργανισμό. Ο Αβικέννα χρησιμοποιούσε τις βδέλλες στις πρώτες βοήθειες. Στο παρελθόν οι βδέλλες θεωρούνταν ως πιο αποτελεσματική θεραπεία. Τον 18-19 αιώνα στην Ευρώπη χρησιμοποιούνταν πάνω από 100 εκατομμύρια βδέλλες το χρόνο και τη βασική παραγωγή την είχε η Ρωσία. Τις βδέλλες τις χρησιμοποιούσαν ως ασπιρίνη - σε οποιουδήποτε είδος αδιαθεσία. Οι πλούσιες κυρίες ανώτερων τάξεων πίστευαν ότι οι βδέλλες μπορούν να τους χαρίσουν την νεότητα και ευχάριστη διάθεση.
ΔΑΚΤΥΛΙΟΣΚΩΛΙΚΕΣ (Annelida), ΚΛΑΣΗ : ΒΔΕΛΛΟΕΙΔΗ (Hirudinea). Συγγενικά με τους ολιγόχαιτους από τους οποίους διακρίνονται από το νωτοκοιλιακά πλατυσμένο τους σώμα το οποίο έχει ένα μυζητήρα στο οπίσθιο μέρος και ένα μικρότερο στο πρόσθιο. Μια άλλη διαφοροποίηση είναι ότι δεν φέρουν σμήριγγες. Ερμαφρόδιτα. Τα αυγά αποθέτονται σε βομβύκια . Ζουν στο νερό. Συνολική ζωή μέχρι 10 χρόνια ( σε τεχνητό περιβάλλον). Στη φύση ζουν λιγότερο. Επιβιώνουν τρέφοντας με αίμα ζώων, ψαριών και ανθρώπου. Την φορά πίνουν αίμα 3-4 φορές περισσότερο από το κανονικό τους βάρος, γι αυτό και τρέφονται πολύ σπάνια. Μπορούν να ζουν χωρίς τροφή έως και 2 χρόνια συνεχόμενα. Η μεγαλύτερη βδέλλα που ανακαλύφθηκε έφτανε τις 18 ίντσες. Η θεραπευτική βδέλλα έχει 32 «εγκεφάλους». Το νευρικό σύστημα της βδέλλας είναι παρόμοιο με το ανθρώπινο νευρικό σύστημα και αυτό είναι ένα τεράστιο όφελος για τους ερευνητές για την αναζήτηση των απαντήσεων στα ανθρώπινα προβλήματα.Σήμερα, οι γιατροί χρησιμοποιούν τις βδέλλες για τη μεταχείριση των αποστημάτων, αρθροπάθειες, γλαύκωμα, μυασθένεια, και για να θεραπεύσουν τις φλεβικές ασθένειες και τη θρόμβωση. Οι ιατρικές βδέλλες χρησιμοποιούνται στη πλαστική χειρουργική, για τη βελτίωση της κυκλοφορίας εγκεφάλου και για τη θεραπεία της στειρότητας. Η πρώτη βδέλλα χρησιμοποιήθηκε στην ιατρική πριν από περίπου 4000 χρόνια δηλαδή χρησιμοποιήθηκε για πρώτη φορά περίπου 2000 χρόνια π.χ, πιθανόν στην αρχαία Ινδία . Σήμερα η βδέλλα – Hirudo είναι είδος απειλούμενο με εξαφάνιση. Απαγορεύεται η ιατρική χρήση βδελλών από τις λίμνες.Βδέλλες για ιατρική χρήση εκτρέφονται σε ειδικά βιολογικά εκτροφεία . Πριν από την χρήση η βδέλλα παραμένει σε «καραντίνα», συγκεκριμένα απλά πεινάει από 3 έως 6 μήνες. Σε αυτό το χρονικό περιθώριο η βδέλλα γίνεται πιο επιθετική πεινασμένη και κάνει πολύ καλύτερα την δουλεία της. Ιατρικές βδέλλες χρησιμοποιούνται μόνο μία φορά. Απαγορεύεται να χρησιμοποιηθεί δεύτερη φορά. Σήμερα, εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες βδέλλες πωλούνται στις ΗΠΑ στα νοσοκομεία, τις κλινικές και σε απλούς πολίτες. Η ευρωπαϊκή αγορά είναι πολύ μεγαλύτερη: εκατομμύρια βδέλλες πωλούνται κάθε έτος.
Ξέρατε ότι:Οι βδέλλες έχουν όσφρηση, νόηση και αίσθηση της γεύσης, θερμό–φωτοαισθητήρες. Χορτασμένη βδέλλα χρειάζεται τουλάχιστον έξι μήνες για να χωνέψει το φαγητό, η πεινασμένη βδέλλα αντέχει από 1 έως 3 χρόνια
Η βδέλλα είναι ερμαφρόδιτο (έχει γενετικά όργανα και των δύο φύλων), αλλά αυτό δε σημαίνει ότι γονιμοποιεί τον εαυτό της: ερχόμενη σε επαφή με άλλη βδέλλα, γονιμοποιεί τον σύντροφο της και αυτός με τη σειρά του γονιμοποιεί εκείνη.
Άχρηστες για ιατρική χρήση θεωρούνται οι βδέλλες μονόχρωμες (χωρίς γραμμές στην πλάτη), τριχωτές, κυλινδρικές και με αμβλύ κεφαλάκι.
Βδέλλα –ασυνείδητος βελονοθεραπευτής: έρχεται σε επαφή με το δέρμα στα βιοενεργητικά σημεία .
Ενδιαφέροντα γεγονότα από την ιστορία της βδελλοθεραπείας .
Στη Δύση τις βδέλλες τις έχουν ως φύλακες των παραδόσεων, πηγή ζωής και αθανασίας. Γνωστός μύθος λέει ότι φυλάνε την είσοδο στην σπηλιά, όπου φυλάγεται η σοφία και η δύναμη της ανθρωπότητας.
Στο «Βιβλίο των Νεκρών» οι βδέλλες πρώτες υποδέχονται τον θεό Ρα, όταν αυτός εμφανίζεται πάνω από τα νερά του ποταμού Νουν.
Στη αρχαία Αίγυπτο οι θεές χρησιμοποιούσαν της βδέλλες για να αποκτήσουν μαγνητικές δυνάμεις.
Στην Περσία τη βδέλλα την απεικόνιζαν ως διπλό πλάσμα, που η μία του πλευρά ήταν σκοτεινή και η άλλη φωτεινή.
Κινέζοι ιατροί συμπλήρωναν για το πλάσμα αυτό ότι συνδυάζει την ένωση δύο αρχών –ΗΝ και ΙΑΝ Σε ένα από τα κινέζικα κείμενα μπορεί να δει κανείς την παρακάτω φράση «Αρχαίες βδέλλες ήταν στήριγμα του κόσμου, που παρείχε σε αυτόν ύλη, ενέργεια, υπάρχοντας ως αίτιο και πηγή έμπνευσης, αλλά και κάποια δύναμη του σκότους»
Ο Φίλωνος Αλεξανδρινός θεωρούσε την βδέλλα το πιο πνευματικό όν μεταξύ των άλλων. Κατά την γνώμη του η βδέλλα είναι μορφή της δύναμης αλλά και κύκλος ζωής.
Στα αρχαιοινδικά κείμενα «Αιουρβέντα» λέει, ότι για καλούς και υγιείς απογόνους το ζευγάρι πριν από την σύλληψη πρέπει να περάσει σειρά συνεδριών βδελλοθεραπείας.
Ο τσάρος της Ρωσίας Πέτρος ο 1ος λάτρευε το φαγητό με βδέλλες. Το πιάτο αυτό πολύ εκλεκτό και αγαπημένο από τους τσάρους, ιππείς και την βασιλική αυλή: χήνα ψημένη μαζί με της κολλημένες απάνω βδέλλες.
Πριν από την επανάσταση η Ρωσία εξήγαγε τις βδέλλες σε πολύ μεγάλη ποσότητα. Τα κέρδη από την εξαγωγή των βδελλών ήταν ίσα με την εξαγωγή του σιταριού.
Το 1990 είχε δημιουργηθεί τον παγκόσμιο σύλλογο των βδελλοθεραπευτών, με την πρωτοβουλία του οποίου η ιατρική αλλά και η φαρμακευτική βδέλλα ανάμεσα σε 400 είδη βδελλών αναγνωρίσθηκαν ως φαρμακευτικό προϊόν .
Η χημική σύσταση των ιατρικών βδελλών
Τα ένζυμα των βδελλών είναι πρωτεΐνες ή πρωτεϊνικής βάσης πολύπλοκες χημικές ενώσεις, οι οποίες δρουν ως καταλύτες στις χημικές αντιδράσεις που λαμβάνουν χώρα στους οργανισμούς.
Hirudin - Αναστέλλει την πήξη του αίματος με τη δέσμευση στη θρομβίνηCalin- Αναστέλλει την πήξη του αίματος με το φράξιμο της σύνδεσης του παράγοντα του Von Willebrand στο κολλαγόνο. Ανασταλεί μεσολαβημένη την κολλαγόνο.
Destabilase δραστηριότητα: Θρομβόλυση, διαλύει τη φιβρίνη.
Hirustasin - Αναστέλλει kallikrein, trypsin, chymotrypsin, neutropholic cathepsin Γ
Bdellins - Αντιφλεγμονώδης. Ανασταλεί trypsin, plasmin, acrosinHyaluronidase - δρα ως αντιβιοτικό
Tryptase inhibitor - Αναστέλλει τα πρωτεϊνολυτικά ένζυμα των κυττάρων
Eglins - Αντιφλεγμονώδης. Ανασταλεί τη δραστηριότητα της άλφα- χυμοθρυψινης , chymase, substilisin, elastase, cathepsin ΓFactor Xa inhibitor Αναστέλλει τη δραστηριότητα του παράγοντα πήξης Xa με τη διαμόρφωση των equimolar complexes
Complement inhibitors αντικαθιστά ενδεχομένως τους φυσικούς ανασταλτικούς παράγοντες συμπληρώματος εάν είναι ανεπαρκείς
Carboxypeptidase A inhibitors Αυξάνει την εισροή του αίματος επί του τόπου δαγκωμάτων
Histamine-like-substances Αγγειοδιασταλτικό . Αυξάνει την εισροή του αίματος επί του τόπου δαγκωμάτων
Acetylcholine ΑγγειοδιασταλτικόAnesthetics subsctance - Αναισθητικό

Breast cancer improved after leeches therapy

2009-10-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2009
by mehdi
Since the early days of the 20th century, people have been using leeches to treat cardiovascular & breast cancer diseases because of the Hirudin enzyme in the leeches saliva, a substance which has systemic anticoagulative effects. A physician would usually prescribe the use of leeches when a person suffered a stroke or heart attack. Also, Hirudin stimulates segmental reflex mechanisms and this contributes to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.& breast cancer
Hirudin and Drugs& breast cancer improved after leeches therapy
Leeches shown during treatmentof varied conditionsIt was only when anticoagulants such as aspirin and heparin were invented that the use of leeches declined. The effects of aspirin which are the inhibition of platelet aggregation and for the dissolving of thrombus or embolus, or thrombolysis, were found to be much more effective in treating cardiovascular conditions. breast cancerHowever, scientists began to investigate further uses of Hirudin for cardiovascular conditions& breast cancer and they found Recombinant Hirudin was useful for Myocardial Infarctions (MI) and unlike heparin; hirudin was actually a direct thrombin inhibitor which did not need to have a cofactor like antithrombin III. Also, hirudin could inactivate fibrin-bound thrombins. However, the effects of the drugs derived from hirudin were much too potent and caused quite massive hemorrhagic adverse effects. Because of this, hirudin was not considered a good primary treatment for myocardial infarction; however, they found that it was a good treatment for Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia Type 2.
Leeches shown during treatmentof varied conditionsNatural Leech TherapyNatural leech therapy that is, the actual application of live leeches on the skin, was believed to have been an effective treatment for thrombosis and other coronary syndromes and Leeches have also been used to treat hypertension. Because leeches suck a hosts blood and its hirudin has anticoagulation, it may cause hypovolemic hemodilution which are two of the things that will reduce the pressure of the blood flow on the walls of the blood vessels, thus leading to reduction in blood pressure. However, it should be noted that since there are much more effective treatments for the reduction of blood pressure, such as anti-hypertensive drugs, leech therapy is now mostly considered as an adjuvant therapy rather than an actual first-line treatment.
Application of Leech TherapyAside from those mentioned above, there are many conditions where leech therapy is considered useful. Leech therapy is sometimes used for Coronary Heart disease, where atheromatous plaques accumulate within the walls of the arteries that provide the blood supply for the myocardium.
Leeches shown during treatmentof varied conditionsIt is also used for ischemic heart disease,breast cancer improved after leeches therapy where the blood supply to the heart is reduced. For this condition, leeches are applied to specific areas. During the first session, only about two to three leeches are used in each area, but as the treatment progresses, as many as 15 leeches can be used. During the first week, leech therapy can be applied every day if possible, leading to three times a week, over a course of approximately three to four weeks, depending on the individual.
Blood expelled after different treatmentsFor cardiovascular diseases, a minimum of three to four leeches can be applied to each specific area during the first session. Thereafter, up to 14 leeches can be applied. This treatment is usually applied three times a week for a total of ten applications, depending on the severity of the disease.
For Valvular breast cancer improved after leeches therapy heart diseases, again, leeches are placed in specific areas twice a week. Treatment is usually applied for a minimum of twelve sessions.
Leech therapy is effective against these diseases, including hypertension because of its ability to relieve the stagnation of the blood in the vessels. When a leech is applied over a certain area, the blood flow to that area will increase, leading to better circulation. In fact, there are several cases where the patient’s overall wellbeing is improved after leech therapy and rejuvenation takes placePosted in australia leech therapy Tags: breast cancer improved after leeches therapy

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2009-08-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

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2009-07-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

HM1 OBTAINED FROM LEECHES Hirudo medicinalis IS TOOL FOR ANTITHROMBOTIC AND THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY

ABSTRACT. To create effective medicinal tools aimed at normalisation of haemostasis biologically active substances produced by the medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) have been used. As a result of biochemical purification of homogenates of the whole leeches the preparation HM1 was obtained representing a balanced complex of natural active substances. The principal components of HM1 are hirudin, destabilase, blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor, similar to prostacyclin (PGI2) prostaglandins by the range of their physiological action, hyaluronidase, inhibitors of thrypsin, plasmin, chymothrypsin, elastase, catepsin G, analgetics etc. When orally administered to experimental animals HM1 has antithrombotic, thrombolytic, hypotensive, analgetic actions; improves reological properties of blood, causes DNA supermethylation effect. Multiple oral administration of HM1 into rats does not induce pathological changes in blood microcirculation. HM1 is practically a non-toxic substance.
Clinical trials of HM1(356 patients) have confirmed the results of our experimental research. When orally administered HM1 has preventive antithrombotic, thrombolytic and hypotensive action.
RESULTS1. Characterization of the HM1 preparation.HM1, the preparation obtained as a result of partial biochemical treatment of whole medicinal leeches, presents a balanced complex of BAS produced by the medicinal leeches.Testing of the preparation HM1 has shown (Table 1) that it contains hirudin, blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor, destabilase, leech’s prostaglandins, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors.

Powerful inhibitory potential of HM1 gives us reasons to assume that when orally administered the active components of the preparation will be protected from destruction by proteases in the intestinal system.2. Experimental research.а) Antithrombotic action of HM1.Antithrombotic action of the preparation was analysed with the use of pathophysiological model of venous stasis. 1 ml of the HM1 solution (with the protein concentration of 35 mg. ml-1) was orally administered to a group of the experimental animals (15 rats). The control group of the animals (n=15) received the equal volume of 0,85% NaCl solution. After 4, 10 and 24 hour thromboformation was induced by intravenous injection of human serum activated by glass. The results of this experiment are: after 4 hour the thromboformation degree was 0%, after 10 hour - 15±5% and after 24 hour - 50±5%. Integrally all the differences mentioned were exhibited at lower viscosity of the blood stabilized by HM1 equal to 6,3±0,4 mPa (with relation to heparin 7,3±0,5 mPa; at identical shift voltage values). In the estimation of HM1 influence on the rheological properties of blood of the patients with the ishemic heart disease the same dependence is shown that is the tendency to improve the rheological properties of blood in the presence of HM1 is obvious.The spontaneous aggregation of platelets occurred only in the presence of heparin (55 %), whereas in none of the samples containing HM1 modifications of optical density were observed. In the study of the influence of HM1 and heparin as platelets aggregation “inductors” when they were added to plasma samples obtained from the blood of patients with the ishemic heart disease it was shown that heparin caused platelets aggregation in 6 cases of 8. The presence of HM1 did not result in a change in the optical density of platelets- rich blood plasma.d) Influence of HM1 on blood microcirculation at multiple introductions.The HM1 solution in the doze of 1 ml (with the protein concentration of 35 mg ml-1) was daily introduced into the experimental animals during 14 days. On the 15th day have carried out a histochemical analysis of the condition of blood microcirculation in the skeletal muscle and mesocolon of rats was made. It has been shown that prolonged administration of HM1 does not change the density of microvessels and does not affect the diameter of capillaries.The fact of rapid dissociation of papules in the presence of HM1 (4-5 minutes) in contrast to histamine or physiological solution (over 20 minutes) is of great significance. Duration and mode of Guridon administration actually do not affect the number of marked vessels and the degree of vessels permeability. Taking into account these observations, it can be assumed that under the action of HM1 the permeability of endothelial cells membranes increases which is to some extent demonstrates by the mechanism of penetration of the components of this preparation from the intestinal tract into blood (transmembrane transport).e) Penetration of HM1 into blood at oral administration.A group of animals (50 rats) was orally administered 1 ml of the HM1 solution (with the protein concentration of 50 mg ml-1). After 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 min blood samples to determine antithrombin activity, blood plasma recalcification time and aggregation of platelets were taken. The control group of animals (п=15) received the equal volume of 0,85 % NaCl solution. It is interesting to note that changes in the above factors occurred in two stages. The first peak of blood coagulation time increase

Changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems of blood expressed by lengthening the blood coagulation time, a decrease in prothrombin index, a decrease in fibrinogen concentration have been detected. The most significant alterations occurred in fibrinolytic activity of blood: the time of euglobulin fraction lysis was reduced to 21 % as compared to the reference value

Toxic, allergic side effects or cases of idiosyncrasy were not observed. During research neither clinical, nor laboratory modifications, that could be considered as side effects of HM1 action were detected.The efficiency of prolonged HM1 administration for the prevention of postsurgical thromboformation or blockade of the progress of thromboformation is thus shown at thrombophlebitis.The HM1 preparation in capsules (0,15 g) for oral administration is an effective medicinal tool having antithrombotic and thrombolytic action.
DISCUSSION. Positive effect of leeching is stipulated first of all by salivary gland secretion (Table 1) which is injected into blood by medicinal leeches during bloodsucking. BAS included in the structure of leech saliva present a balanced complex of active substances the effectiveness of which we have tried to retain in the form of the stable preparation obtained from whole leeches. The data obtained both in this research and earlier permit to single out the following peculiarities of HM1. In the case of oral administration HM1 exhibits thrombolytic action which is stipulated by destabilase. This enzyme ensures selective hydrolysis of isopeptide bonds in stabilized fibrin (Baskova and Nikonov 1991). Thus, the thrombolytic action of HM1 is fibrinospecific. Complete lysis of thrombus occurs within a rather long time. Physiologically this is justified as slow thrombolysis is accompanied by reparative processes in the vessel wall. And by the moment of complete thrombolysis this site ceases to represent athrombogenous surface.HM1 as well as destabilase (Baskova and Nikonov 1991) does not affect the fibrinolytic system; accordingly activation of plasminogen to plasmin does not occur (that is there is no system plasminemia).HM1 has pronounced antithrombotic action which is stipulated both by inhibition of the intrinsic mechanism of blood coagulation (Baskova et al. 1987) and by antithrombin activity of hirudin (Markwardt 1989). HM1 reduces arterial pressure, has analgetic effect, does not cause pathological changes in microcirculation, and improves rheological property of blood. HM1 is actually a non-toxic preparation. The presence of the penetration factor hyaluronidase and also inhibitors of proteases in its composition (Fritz et al. 1971, Baskova et al. 1991) ensures its integrity in the intestinal tract and penetration into blood in the case of oral administration.Thus, HM1 presenting a complex of natural biologically active substances meets the basic requirements applied to a hypothetical “ideal” thrombolytic. The results of clinical trials have confirmed our assumption about the effectiveness of HM1 as the preventive antithrombotic and thrombolytic remedy.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL LEECH CENTRE

Evaluation of side effects and complications development risk as a result of hirudotherapyBasheva E.V., Petrenko O.V.Ekaterinburg
The purpose of this work was study of probability of beginnings of complications and responses by results of activity of two hirudotherapy clinics for period from 1998 till 2001. The observable patients have made group of 5099 persons in the age of from 14 till 85 years. The duration of a treatment made from three up to ten procedures; quantity of the leeches on a procedure - from 3 up to 20 pieces. The procedures were made with an interval 2-4 days. The statistical processing of results of treatment is conducted. Main nosological forms were follows: hypertension of I, II, III stages; ICD (angina II, III, IV); osteochondrosis with muscle-tonic syndrome; chronic insufficiency of brain blood circulation; consequences ischemia of brain; a syndrome intracranial hypertension, migraine; varicose veins (I, II, III); chronic lymphovenous insufficiency of I, II, III degrees; Reino syndrome; thrombophlebitis; chronic adnexitis; disturbance of a menstrual cycle; ovary cyst; fibroma; secondary sterility; chronic prostatitis; acute and chronic antritis; chronic neurosensoric deafness; chronic tonsillitis .The greatest frequency of complications and responses (43 %) was observed at the patients which we consider expedient to select in group of risk, in which are referred following nosological form: varicose veins (I, II, III); chronic lymphovenous insufficiency of I, II, III degrees; adiposity of I-III stage; sugar diabetes of 1 and 2 types; chronic cholecystitis; chronic pancreatitis, and combination of listed diseases.The preparatory treatment in main consists in full volume of elimination measures. Preparation begins 1-3 weeks prior to a course of hirudotherapy or in parallel with it. Up to half of all time of a course of treatment is expended on a preparatory stage but the decreasing of frequency of complications and responses pays back loiter efforts. So, it is possible to reduce quantity of complications and responses at the patients of risk group in 1,8 times.By the risk of development of complications and side effects of treatment the hirudotherapy is in a high degree a safe method. The prediction both preventive maintenance of complications and side effects as a result of hirudotherapy at the patients of risk group is necessary. An individual preventive complex and observance of methodical features allow reducing quantity of complications and side effects.

EXPERIMENTAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF EFFICIENCY OF MEDICINAL LEECHES AND DRUGS ON ITS BASISInternational Medical Leech Centre (Moscow, Russia) Rekarimpex (Eysines, France). Nikonov G.I., Latrille J., Titova E.A.
INTRODUCTION
For more than 30 centuries leeches Hirudo medicinalis have been successfully applied in medical practice. Year by year our knowledge of the curative power of these bloodsucking animals in the treatment of various diseases enlarges and becomes more profound (Nikonov 1992).However, the extension of the application area for leeching is based on precise understanding of the mechanisms of action of biologically active substances (BAS), produced by the medicinal leeches. BAS provide not only preventive and medical action on blood coagulation and fibrinolys (Nikonov and Baskova 1987, Baskova and Nikonov 198, they actively interfere with an immune system (Nikonov 1992), govern the processes of protein synthesis and lipids exchange (Nikonov et al. 1994), protect DNA from pathological action of muteness (Nikonov et al. 1989) etc. Powerful inhibitory potential of the leech saliva in relation to enzymes provides anti-inflammatory action (Sawyer 1986), blockade of thromboformation, regress of arteriosclerosis (Nikonov 1992).Medicinal leech is a source of unique biological active substances synthesized only by this species of animals. Basically they are prostaglandin similar to prostacyclin (PGI2) by the range of their physiological actions providing the blockade of the platelet vascular link in the intrinsic mechanism of blood coagulation (Baskova and Nikonov 1987). Hirudin produced by medicinal leeches is a unique highly specific inhibitor of thrombin without any side effects (Markwardt 1989). Destabilase complex, an example of natural liposome with the multifunctional (first of all antithrombotic and thrombolytic) action, is also synthesized only by the leeches (Baskova and Nikonov 1991).And as a result, the blockade of thromboformation is provided both at the earliest stages of the blood coagulation cascade (i.e. adhesion and aggregation of platelets, inhibition of blood plasma kallikrein activity) and at the later stage as well (blockade of thrombin activity). The presence of destabilase fibrinolytic activity ensures selective thrombolysis specific to fibrin.However, medicinal leech is not a suitable medicinal form both for the doctor and for a patient. Therefore, we have made an attempt at the development of a series of medicinal tools with antithrombotic and thrombolytic action on the basis of BAS produced by medicinal leeches. However, we aimed at using the whole medicinal leeches and not their salivary gland secretion as a source of BAS (Nikonov and Baskova 1990) to reduce the cost of the final preparation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The leeches used for this work were bred by the firm "International Medical Leech Centre" in an artificial surrounding at the firm's biofactories. The drug preparation "HM1" produced by the firm "International Medical Leech Centre".Destabilase was obtained by an affinity chromatography method on Lysine-Sepharose (Pharmacia Fine Chemical) (Baskova I.P., Nikonov G.I., 1991). To isolate the blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor we applied an affinity chromatography method on Thrypsin-Silachrom (Biolar).Electrophoresis was performed in the Lemly system (Weber K., Osbome M., 1969) using both 12.5% and 16% polyacrylamide gels in the presence of 2M urea. A destabilase preparation (at protein concentration of 1 mg/ml) dissolved in 50 MM Tris-HCI buffer, pH 8.8, containing 100 mM of mercaptoetanol was held for 15 hours at 20° C and then the mixture of DS-NA, glycine and bromophenol blue was added at the same buffer to the final concentration of 0,1, 10 and 0,025% respectively and incubated 1.5 hours at 45°C . The reactants from Kit LMW (Pharmacia) were used as the molecular mass markers.Antiserum of RIA KIT (Amersham) was used as a source of 6-keto-PGF1a antibodies; antibodies were immobilized on CNBr-activated Agarose. The contact of the solution containing leech prostaglandins with the immobilized antibodies was effected in the recycling system during 2 h. The elution was performed with the buffer containing 0.2 M glycine, 0.15 M HCl, pH3.0.100% methanol was used as an eluating buffer in the chromatography on Silasorb C8. Fat-soluble fractions obtained were dried in a rotor evaporator and a lyophilic drier until dry residue that was subsequently dissolved in 0.05 M Tris-HCl buffer pH 8.9.Platelet aggregation was carried out by the Born method (Born G.V., Cross H., 1963). The protein concentration was determined according to the Lowry method (Lowry et al. 1951). The hirudin activity was analysed by the prolongation of the time of fibrinogen coagulation by thrombin using the set of reagents Test-Thrombin 3O IU/ml ("Behringwerke" Germany). The activity of blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor was determined by the prolongation of blood plasma recalcification time: the two-fold prolongation of this period corresponded to 2 APC units (antiprocoagulant units) of inhibitor. The content of leech prostaglandins was calculated from the amount of 6-keto PGF1a using the set of reagents 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a [125-I] assay system ("Amersham" England).The activity of destabilase was analysed on the plates of stabilised fibrin (Baskova and Nikonov 1991), and also by the spectrophotometric method with the use of the chromogenic substrate L-g-Glu-pNA at the wave length-4O5 nm (Svendsen et al. 1972).Inhibition of enzyme trypsin and chymotrypsin activity was determined with the use of the chromogenic substrate S-23O2 and Succinyl-L-phe-pNA ("Kabi", Sweden).Lipase (triglyceridase) and cholesterolesterase activities were detected with the help of the substrates glycerine-3-[I-14N] oleat and cholesterol-[I-14N] oleat with the specific radio-activity 50 mKu (Baskova IP, Usupova GI, Nikonov GI., 1984).Blood viscosity was measured on a rotational viscosity-metre at the shift voltage of 0,05 and 0,1 Pa. Platelet aggregation was studied by Born’s method. Erythrocytes strainment was estimated by the velocity of cells filtration through a filter with the pores diameter of 5 mc. Mechanical stability was estimated by ultrasonic hemolysis velocity at the supplied power of 0,4 W/sm2 and frequency 800 кHz.The antithrombotic and thrombolytic analyses of drugs action were done with the use of the vein thrombosis model by Wessler et al. (1959) with modifications by Markwardt et al. (1989). Experiments have carried out on white non-linear male rats with a body mass 220±30 g; the animals are anaesthetised by aminazine. Thrombosis was stimulated with human blood serum activated with glass with subsequently stasing of the jugular vein section. The thrombosis degree was estimated with the macroscopic and weight methods (Markwardt et al., 1989). The arterial blood pressure (mm Hg) was registered in the tail vein of SHR line (spontaneous hypertensive rats; body mass about 280±25 g; an initial level of arterial pressure 165±5 mm Hg). The rats were bred by the vivarium of Moscow State University.The condition of the microcirculation system was estimated with the help of histochemical response to alkaline phosphatase. The ratio of the number of micro vessels with the diameter <>ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC ACTION OF THE PREPARATION HM1 CONTAINING THE ACTIVE COMPONENTS PRODUCED BY THE MEDICINAL LEECHES
ABSTRACT. The medicine HM1 for oral administration containing a complex of biologically active substances produced by the medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) has been developed. Alongside with the components acting on the systems of hemostasis and fibrinolysis HM1 contains the substances with cholesterolesterase and triglyceridase activities: 2.9±0.2 and 7.7±0.3 nmol/mg of protein per hour, respectively. Clinical trials on 30 patients with dislipoproteinemia have shown that after taking the medicine during 4 weeks (0.6 g; daily) a statistically reliable reduction in the level of common cholesterol by 6,3% and cholesterol of low density lipoproteins by 5,2%. Hypolipidaemical effect of HM1 does not depend on the patients sex and depends on their age and dislipoproteinemia type. This effect of HM1 is more pronounced in a subgroup patients with dislipoproteinemia II B as compared with types IIA and IV.INTRODUCTIONThe multisecular history of the application of medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) with therapeutically purposes testifies to the effectiveness of these tools for the treatment of a lot of diseases and, first of all, cardio-vascular diseases.It has been shown that the leech saliva has cholesterolesterase and triglyceridase activities (Baskova IP, Ucupova GI, Nikonov GI., 1984). Our experiments have shown that the leech saliva administered intravenously to rats on an atherogenic diet (8 months) reduces fibrinogen level, plasma heparin tolerance and diminishes lipid deposits in the intima of large vessels. Long-term chronic oral administration of leech preparations to rats kept on an atherogenic diet reduced the area of local oedema of large vessels. The saliva reduced the 3H-thymidine incorporation into the human atherosclerotic intimal cell culture (Baskova IP, Nikonov GI, et al, 1989).The combination of these properties of the leech saliva permits a conclusion about antiatherosclerotic action of medicinal leeches. However, the medicinal leech itself is inconvenient tool both for a patient and for the doctor. Therefore, we have developed the preparation HM1 (capsules for oral administration) containing a complete gang of biologically active substances produced by the medicinal leeches. This work is devoted to the results of clinical trials of the HM1 preparation as tool with antiatherosclerotic action.
RESULTS.1. Biochemical characterization of the HM1 preparation.In Table 1 some biochemical parameters of the water extract of the HM1 preparation are represented. Only those components of HM1 that directly influence the hemostasis and fibrinolysis systems and the blood lipids composition were subjected to the analysis. HM1 contains biologically active substances blocking blood coagulation (blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor, stable prostacyclin analogue, hirudin), causing fibrinospecific thrombolysis (destabilase), enzymes inhibitors (bdellins and eglins) and substances with cholesterolesterase and triglyceridase activities.The medicinal form of HM1, i.e. “HM1 in gelatine capsules for oral administration” is offered for clinical trials. One capsule contains 150 mg of the preparation. On the basis of the results of preclinical trials a daily doze of 3-4 capsules of HM1 for the person has been offered.2. Clinical characterization of patients group.During trials 48 patients with ishemic heart disease who were on treatment in stationary cardiology department of the Institute of Therapy of Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences were examined. In total there were 42 men, 6 women; aged from 30 to 72. The second group of patients consisted of 28 patients with nephrogenal hypertension who were on treatment in the nephrology department of the Institute of Therapy of MSA of Ukraine. In total there were 18 men, 10 women; aged from 41 to 53. From this number of patients 30 persons with hyperlipidaemia were selected.The regimen for the preparation administration was 0,6 g per day. All the patients received treatment by other medicinal preparations according to their indications. The control group (20 patients) did not receive HM1.3. Results of clinical trials (antiatherosclerotic action).After four weeks of treatment by HM1 in the doze of 0,6 g a day the level of total blood plasma cholesterol decreased by 6,3% (p<0,05), n="30)." n="22)" n=" Man" n="22)" n=" Total" n="1" i=" Total" n="15)" n="9)" n="6)">0,05), IIB - 6,7% (p<0,05),>

DESTABILASE COMPLEX - NATURAL LIPOSOME PRODUCED BY MEDICINAL LEECHES Hirudo medicinalis
ABSTRACT. Electrophoretic analysis of the destabilase preparation demonstrates presence of protein combinations with MW 12.3, 25 and 50 kD. Fraction (MW 12.3 D) is a monomer of destabilase aggregation having properties of micellar proteins and represents a stable lipid - protein complex, where the role of lipid component is played by the stable analogue of prostacyclin (MW 391 D). The synthesis of low molecular fraction of the destabilase is fulfilled with bacteria - symbiont of Aeromonas hydrophila leeches.When the destabilase (MW 12.3 kD) contacts with blood a process of complexes formation is triggered with hirudin and blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor forming a stable "destabilase complex" (DC; MW 25 kD) possessing also high aggregation capacity. Polymer forms of destabilase complex form a liposome changing its spatial orientation depending on nature of solvent. Such structural organization provides high stability of DC components and a rapid penetration through cellular membrane (transmembrane transfer) and it also provides prophylactic antithrombotic action in case of peroral application to animals due to the blockade of vascular platelet (inhibition of platelet aggregation by prostacyclin analogue) and plasmic (inhibition of thrombin activity and blood plasma kallikrein) links of hemostasis process. Destabilase fraction with MW 50 kD is a dimer of the destabilase complex. As a result of DC destruction (liposome) hirudin, prostacyclin analogue and blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor are released. INTRODUCTION Destabilase e-(g-Glu)-Lys isopeptidase was first discovered in the composition of salivary gland secretion of Hirudo medicinalis in 1986 (Nikonov G.I., Baskova I.P., 1987). The enzyme performs its fibrinolytic (thrombolytic) activity by hydrolysis of isopeptide bonds formed during fibrin stabilization in the presence of factor XIII of blood coagulation (Lorand L., Conrad S.M., 1984) causing a non-traditional mechanism of fibrinolysis.Destabilase at electrophoresis manifests as three strips corresponding to protein fractions with MW 12.3, 25 and 50 kD, and a prostacyclin analogue determined as 6-keto-PGF1a accompanies each of those fractions. Considering the destabilase conduct in aqueous and organic solvents an assumption about mycellar nature of this combination was made, i. e. the capacity for aggregating of destabilase in multiple complexes is realized in the micelle compounding which is capable to change its spatial orientation depending on solvent polarity (Martinek K., Klyachko N.L., et al 1989).The question concerning relationships of destabilase with other biologically active substances produced by the medicinal leeches is not quite clear. Intravenous injections of purified preparation of destabilase lead not only to blood clot destruction but also to sharp increase of antiprocoagulant blood potential in experimental animals: the time period of fibrinogen coagulation with thrombin and the time of blood plasma recalcification (Nikonov G.I., 1992) are prolonged significantly.The present research is devoted to the study of the destabilase mycellar nature and also to its interaction with such biologically active compounds as hirudin and blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor.RESULTS1. Obtaining and characteristics of Destabilase ComplexBased on the revealed capacity of the destabilase protein part to bond lysine, the preparation of destabilase has been obtained from dried medicinal leeches powder (HM1). The electrophoretic analysis fulfilled in polyacrylamide gel demonstrates presence of 3 strips corresponding to MW 12.3, 25 and 50 kD. In the result of the preparational electrophoresis a sufficient number of destabilase fractions with indexed molecular masses was accumulated. Using the radioimmunoassay to determine 6-keto-PGF1a content it was shown that every fraction contained a prostaglandin component (Table 13).Table I3. Content of 6-keto-PGF1a and other substances in destabilase fractions obtained with the preparational electrophoresis.
Fraction of destabilase (MM) kD
6-keto-PGF1a ng/mg
Hirudin ATU/mg
Blood plasma kallikrein inhibitor APC U/mg
12.3
0.87±0.03
0
0
25.0
1.84±0.09
175±10
138±15
50.0
2.20±0.16
190± 12
186±19
The obtained destabilase fraction with MW 25 kD was subjected to repeating electrophoresis in denaturing conditions in polyacrylamide gel. At maximum concentrations of the original protein the strip corresponding to MW 50 kD appeared. During gelfiltration (Sepharose G-50; column size 50x1.5 cm.) of destabilase fraction with MW 25 kD 2 peaks were eluted corresponding to proteins with MW 25 and 50 kD. The prolonged dialysis (24 h; +4°C) of destabilase fraction with MW 25 kD through a membrane with pores penetrable by proteins only with MM not more than 30 kD leads to penetration through a membrane of only 10% of protein from a dialyzed volume. Thus the destabilase possesses the capability to form rather strong aggregates and one of the forms of such the aggregate is the fraction of the destabilase with MW 50 kD.2. Destabilase having the properties of micelleIn the following series of experiments an attempt was taken to obtain protein and lipid components from destabilase complex in a homogeneous state. For this purpose methods of liquid gelfiltration (Sephadex G-50), electrophoresis in denaturing conditions, thermal processing at +80°C during 15 minutes, alkaline hydrolysis (2 M NaOH; 24 h; 37°C) of polypeptide chain and prolonged (72 hours at +4° C) dialysis through pores penetrable by substances with MW not more than 1000 D were used. None of enumerated methods led to disintegration of the bond between protein and lipid components and moreover neither activity nor components content changed. Considering the presence of a strong connection between the destabilase components the methods of prostacyclin purification (PGI2 ) to release it were used: - extraction by organic solvents (ethyl acetate; methanol; ethanol; chloroform), affinity chromatography on antibodies to 6-keto-PGF1a, immobilized on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. At any of these methods a lipid component was accompanied by activity of a protein part of destabilase (isopeptidase activity).The amidolytic destabilase activity in ordinary conditions was determined with the use of aqueous solvents. A specific activity constituted up to 1.6?10-11 mol?mg-1?s-1. In the next experiment a substrate solution in ethyl acetate and 0.6 ml of ethyl acetate were used. A specific amidolytic activity constituted up to 1.6?10-11 mol?mg-1?s-1. The use of substrate and ferment solutions in ethyl acetate did not lead to any changes in the starting destabilase activity.The preparation of destabilase with activity of 7.6?10-11 mol?mg-1?s-1, containing 6-keto-PGF1a in the concentration of 0.85 nanog/ml solution in the dose of 12 mg/kg was applied intravenously (n=20) or orally (gavage; n=20) 48, 24, 12 and 3 hours before stimulation of blood clotting in a jugular vein of rats. The animals of control group (n=30) received equal volume of 0,85% NaCI solution. The results of this experiment showed the degree of blood clotting at the animals of experimental group was 0% (concerning monitoring --100%) for interval 3 hours; for interval 12 hours -- 10±5% (p<0.01); n="40)">

Hirudotherapy in reducing treatment of elderly age patientsRussian University of Peoples Friendship Faculty of traditional medicine (Moscow) Gernov V.A.
Reduction treatment or medical rehabilitation represents a system of measures which purpose is the recovery both infringed functions and health of the patient, and its personal and social status. The reduction treatment becomes now is very actual. It is connected with number of the elderly people all over the world is increased. It is supposed that to 2025 of a people of elderly age will make 15 % from all people living on the world.Use of methods of traditional medicine, including the hirudotherapy in gerontological practice for reaching positive clinical and economic benefit it is represented as perspectively. The examination 24 patients of arterial hypertension are conducted. Is shown that hirudotherapy has a positive effect in reduction treatment of gerontological patients.Hirudotherapy and hirudoreflexotherapy at standard drug treatment of elderly patients suffering by arterial hypertension in combination with HID cause proof reduction of arterial pressure in 1.4-1.7 times. A method of selection is hirudoreflexotherapy. Hirudoreflexotherapy allows reducing standard drug treatment up to a minimum permissible doze to 7 day, hirudotherapy to 9 day of treatment.The more broad application of hirudoreflexotherapy in gerontological practice is expedient.

,Hirudotherapy in gynaecological practiceCentre of aesthetic medicine and hirudotherapy (Moscow) Pankova I.P.
The hirudotherapy method in a combination with hirudoreflexotherapy can be additional, and sometimes basic (at polyvalent medicinal allergy) method of treatment of a broad spectrum of gynaecological diseases. The hirudotherapy medical effect develops of the several factors: reflex, mechanical and biological.Main zones of leeching at gynaecological diseases are - area of a liver, sacrum, perineum, groin, anus, and vagina. Quantity of the leeches put for one session depends from individual features of the women, indexes of haemogramme, accompanying pathology, arterial pressure. Are usually put 2-6 leeches. The frequency of sessions depends from individual portability, usually in 2-4 days. The exposure time depends from portability of a procedure, purpose of statement on this or other zone. At realisation of a session of hirudotherapy the exposure time depends on desirable effect: stimulating or antianxiety. Quantity of sessions on a treatment course from 3 up to 15 is necessary under the control haemogramme, hemostasis, hormone profile, ultrasonic examination.Points for hirudoreflexotherapy are resulted at gynaecological diseases below. Their combination is strictly individual for each patient and requires knowledge of reflexotherapy; it is usual on one session the combination from 2-3 points undertakes.Hirudoreflexotherapy at ovary polycusts: VG-20, TR-20, V-23, V-31, V-60, V-62, RP-6, VB-20, VB-26, MC-5, F-3, F-5, F-11, VC-1, E-25, R-8, GI-11.Hirudoreflexotherapy at barrenness: VG-20, E-36, RP-6, VC-3, R-18, V-31, F-11, VC-4.Hirudoreflexotherapy at climacteric syndrome: VG-20, TR-20, VB-20, RP-6, MC-6, E-36, VC-2, P-2.Hirudoreflexotherapy at endometriosis: VC-2, E-25, E-27, E-29, RP-12, V-28, R-2, R-5, VG-4, VB-29, VC-7.Hirudoreflexotherapy at uterus fibromioma: VC-2, VC-1, E-31, E-29, RP-6, F-8, R-5, VG-4.Hirudoreflexotherapy at mastopathia: VG-20, VB-20, VB-21, E-17, GI-4, VG-14, VC-17, E-31, RP-6.Hirudotherapy has obvious advantages in the plan of the reasonable use on comparison with medicines and sometimes surgical treatment as renders COMPLEX action on an organism, correcting activity of all functional systems practically without negative side effects (that cannot be told about chemotherapy.
Hirudotherapy and manual therapy at diseases gastrointestinal tractMedical-improving "Family Healthy Centre " (Great Novgorod) Shipina A.A.
Pain in a stomach - often reason of patient's reversal to the doctor. The careful analysis of a pain actuates determination of localisation, time of appearance and duration of a pain, and also characteristic of a sharpness of a beginning and frequency of pain attacks. Visceral pain, on practical observations, more often happens is called by inflammations and ischemias, which are the important indication for hirudotherapy treatment.The hirudotherapy offered course consists of five sessions (treatment course is used from 30 up to 50 leeches):Conclusions: at the reversal of the patient in clinic, are carried for him diagnostics by skin, backbone, iris, tongue, pulsating diagnostics on vessels of internal organs and is made the plan of treatment, in which are included:1. Relaxation of a backbone2. Manual therapy of internal organs3. Manual therapy of a backbone4. Hirudotherapy on the above described techniques5. Phytotherapy.Efficiency (effectiveness) of treatment - 86-90 %;Duration of remission - from 5 till 10 years.

THE ANTI-STRESS PROPERTIES OF "TONUS" AND "RELAX", DERIVED FROM MEDICINAL LEECH
Nikonov G. I.1,2, K. G. Seleznev1,2, A. A. Gutsol 3, J. Latrille4 & D. Rudeaux4
1International Centre of Medical Leech (Moscow, Russia), 2BIORICA Company (France), 3State University (Kharkov, Ukraine) and 4Neurosis Clinic "Gravieres" (Bordeaux, France).
NIK is a remedy prepared from biologically active substances extracted from the leech Hirudo medicinalis. Clinical trials were carried out in the Department of Neurology, Internal Medicine, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine of the State University (Kharkov, Ukraine).
Thirty patients (10 males and 20 females, 35-45-years-old) were divided in three groups. The patients did not receive any treatment one month prior to beginning of the study. The patients in the first group received a bath daily for 4 days (38 C?; 15 minutes). The patients of the second and third group were treated as above, however, the water was treated either with "Relax" or "Tonus" tablets.
The level of anxiety of the patient as an indication of his/her personality was measured by the Spielberg technique. A patient was considered suitable for the study, if his level of anxiety was moderate (31-45 points). The vegetative and hormonal tonus of the patient was measured three times with the help of a computer program, i.e., the "Heart-rate-variability" was measured before, immediately after and one hour after having a bath. The differences between the background and hourly measurements of heart rate indexes (HR), the variability of the R-R intervals, the magnitude of the hormonal (Pvlf), sympathetic (Plf) and parasympathetic (Phf) changes were evaluated.
There were no significant differences in the decrease of the HR or K-K interval variability in patients using a regular bath or such with "Relax" or "Tonus". The hormonal changes were 8% with a regular bath and 5-7% with “Tonus” bath. However, a significant change was observed with “Relax” bath. Baths with or without "Tonus" and "Relax" tablets equally diminished the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. A clear effect of the drugs was obtained in the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The regular bath diminished it by 2 %, the “Tonus” by 5% and the "Relax" by 22 %. Patients having a bath with the "Relax" tablets for four days had a decrease in level of anxiety to 25-31 points. No such decrease was observed with "Tonus" tablets.
The following series of trials on "Relax" tablets were conducted in the Neurosis Clinic "Gravieres" (France, Bordeaux). The clinic is specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of people with moderate mental disorders, however, people with marked depressions or neurosis are also treated. Normally the patients are treated with psychopharmaca. Ten patients (21-45 years old) suffering from neuroses (40% of them alcoholics) were included in the study. The patients were treated in water baths (34-36 C?; 20 minutes) once every second day, during two weeks, usually 1 hour before the sleep, and were observed round the clock.
This study has shown that the drugs have a vasodilatory effect. The patient fell asleep easily, they were more relaxed, were sleeping without interruption wake up earlier with a feeling of having a good rest. A reduction of the medication was observed in 65 % of the cases. It should be stressed that the drugs significantly increased the working capacity of the individuals for a long period. It is possible that the drug also increases sexual potency. As a result of these studies new cosmetic preparations with anti-stress properties such as “Aura” and “Madame Latrille” were developed.

Use of biorica relax tablets in functionnal unit of psychiatry in france (bordeaux)Clinique des Gravieres 33310 LORMONT (Bordeaux, France) Oudot D., Soutoul F., Douet M.
This functional Unit is a decentralised Unit with capacity of 24 beds for the treatment of people less than 45 years old, voluntary for the hospitalisation, without any major behaviour disorder and with pathology necessitating full time and brief hospitalisation. The device of care corresponds to traditional line of psychiatry institutions with chemiotherapeutic institutionalised and psychotherapeutic approach.This psychotherapeutic approach is based on individual discussions, taking charge of a group. This approach favours therapy with bodily mediation, relaxation techniques and hydrotherapy.In this way, Biorica relax tablets could be used. A protocol of specify cares was elaborated in accordance with the properties of Biorica relax tablets that were previously studied.Relaxing bath called "tablets care" consists in total immersion, until the nape, of the patient in water with temperature between 34-36°C, in which was put 1 relax tablet. The length of bath is 20 minutes and this care is made every 2 days during 2 weeks. It is taken around 1 hour before sleeping. During this protocol, at each bath, a nurse sits near the patient during immersion.Now we have hindsight on many patients. We have selected them on very strict criterions concerning their pathology:

no psychotic disorder
neurotic anxious disorder
Most of them presented an anxious depressive disorder on the way of improvement thanks to chemical therapy. For some of them, this disorder was due to alcoholic withdrawal.We could note that for all the patients

A feeling of warmth after some minutes probably corresponding to vasodilating effect of Hirudo medicinalis extract.
Follows a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation. During this time, the patient can express himself easier with the nurse near him and he indulges in confiding a little more. In this way care cornes within the scope of bodily mediation.
This state endures some hours after the bath with diminution of anxiety.
The patients benefiting from the care could recover a better quality of asleep and also a diminution of early waking. This could be verified by observation and also because patients did not need the adjuvanthypnotic treatment which was proposed if necessary.
For some of them a diminution of anxiolytic drugs thanks to clinical improvement of their state and development of tablets care.
Some patients who used before alcohol to prevent anxiety had decide to continue at home tablets care as means of substitution, particularly when anxiety happened almost at twilight.Other patients wished also to continue tablets care after leaving the clinic. Most of them to avoid taking drugs, tranquillisers or hypnotic based on benzodiazepine .We would like to specify that use of Biorica relax tablets was based on a protocol of cares and not for an experimentation of product itself because this product was previously tested.The first results are encouraging to continue this care and improve the technique

Effectiveness of hirudotherapy in combination with acupuncture at patiens with ischemia heart diseases at sanatorium stage of rehabilitationMedical prophylactic sanatorium "Podlipki" (Moscow region)Mituhina V.M., Voronova A.J.
The hirudotherapy clinic exists 3 years. In a structure of the patients the majority suffers cardiovascular diseases - 70,3 % (213 patients). On the base of large practice of cardiologist and acupuncture we came to a conclusion that at hirudotherapy more effectively make leeching on biologically active points. It is not necessary completely to identify an action of leeches at hirudotherapy and needle at acupuncture, in spite of the fact that in both methods main is reflexive action. However invaluable action of hirudotherapy in comparison with acupuncture is the gamma of biologically of active substances, which are injected by the leech and which result in normalisation of pathological process (Baskova, Nikonov, 1991; Nikonov, 199.We have found to an expedient combination of both methods at treatment of the patients with various diseases. We mark high effectiveness of combinatory use of hirudotherapy and acupuncture at patients with arthrosis, arthritis and osteochondritis of backbone (21 patients) in comparison with application only of hirudotherapy methods.The group of the patients with ischemia heart disease received a course of treatments consisting of 6-8 hirudotherapy sessions and 9-10 acupuncture sessions. As a rule, the treatment began from acupuncture of distant BAP: Gi 11, МС 6, РР 4,6, Е 36, Tr 5 etc. At majority of patients it is marked expressed antianxiety effect. After 2-3 sessions the area of leeching there was a forward pectoral surface at the left in III-V intercost. As at acupuncture, and at hirudotherapy the following BAP frequently were used: Т 11,13,14, At 11,15,23, Gi 11, МС 6 etc. The combination of procedures per one day was following: in the beginning was made acupuncture and after 15-30 minutes was hirudotherapy.To the end of treatment course all patients marked increase of volume of physical activity: rate and duration of walking, transfer in-group of medical gymnastics with large loads. Thus, analysing our material, it is possible to make the conclusion about the greater effectiveness of methods combination - hirudotherapy and acupuncture in comparison with application only of hirudotherapy techniques. Both methods supplement and exponentiate one another.

The medical leech in treatment of vulva kraurozRegional veneral clinic (Ekaterinburg) Ribakova M.L.
Krauroz of women sexual organs is a chronic disease with unexplored pathogenesis. Oncologists, gynaecologists and dermatologist exhibit the interest to this problem. Majority of the scientists consider that in the basis of disease the shifts in neuroendocrine system take place. The disease, as a rule, begins in climacteric period, menopause period, after undergo gynaecological operation, radial therapy. From existing methods of treatment any does not bring reassuring results and frequently (90,5 %) patients within the first year the aggravation comes.The complex treatment is conducted 13 patients in the age from 45 till 70 years, with duration of disease from 2 till 28 years. The leeching was conducted two times per one week till 4-5 pieces on a session on area of coccyx, sacrum and pubic area sequentially, and it is necessary: 1-2 leeches on area clitoris and leukoplakinal plaque or place greatest local itch. The treatment course consists of 5-7 procedures with corrective therapy of an appropriate pathology.Already after first - second sessions nine from thirteen patients have marked decreasing of itch; five-six procedures it completely has disappeared. The sensation of dryness in vulva area has decreased, the tissue has become more elastic, considerably has decreased hyperemia, and at four - completely has passed. Have smoothed out leukoplakinal stratification at four patients (and after the second course conducted with an interval in one month, completely have disappeared). The common condition of the patients was improved, the local comfort has appeared.Thus, despite of age of the patients, duration of disease, presence of an accompanying pathology, the hirudotherapy clinical effect allow us to forecast to improvement of quality of this patients category life.

Eye Diseases and Leech Therapy

Ever wondered how our ancestors dealt with their medical problems? Many very important medical breakthroughs only occurred during the past century and brings us to question what passed for medicines and curative procedures.Hirudotherapy, popularly known as leech therapy has also been referred to by other names such as bleeding, leeching, and bloodletting, but basically, it refers to the use of leeches for medical treatment and is one of the methods our ancestors used to cure various ailments The European specie of leeches (from which Hirudotherapy gets its name) has long been used for medical purposes. Leech therapy dates back to the 1800s, where leech therapists typically used several leeches in each session. Leeches can consume as much as 10 to 15 ml of blood and expand dramatically in size. Once full, they automatically fall off the body, but can be removed using different methods. One technique used is applying salt or salt water, but this can make the leech vomit up the blood, which creates a higher risk of infection. Leeches shown during treatment of varied conditionsThere are many benefits to Hirudotherapy, therefore making it extremely useful to treat various conditions. When a leech bites, its saliva is injected into the patient’s bloodstream. This saliva contains Hirudin, which has an anticoagulant and hemodilution effect, preventing clot formation, which is very important because a clot can travel through the general circulation and block a blood vessel, thereby depriving organs of the necessary blood flow and the nutrients they need. This will cause ischemia and, eventually, failure of the organ involved. This can be fatal if the organ involved is the brain, heart or lungs as it can cause a stroke, heart attack or lung embolism. Hirudin also helps reduce the blood’s thickness, thereby promoting optimum blood flow and preventing the risks associated with sluggish blood flow. Leeches shown during treatment of varied conditions Leech Therapy for Periorbital Hematoma One of the major features of leech therapy is the ability leeches have of extracting pooled blood. It also has an anti-edematous effect, which is especially helpful as a conservative measure to evacuate pooled blood as in the case of a periorbital hematoma.Periorbital hematoma is hematoma around the eyes – a sac of blood that the body creates to keep internal bleeding to a minimum. In most cases the sac of blood eventually dissolves, however, in some cases they may continue to grow or show no change. If the sac of blood does not disappear, then it may need to be surgically removed. Leeches shown during treatment of varied conditionsIt usually occurs after a large amount of pressure or force has been applied to the area and something that is definitely common among boxers. This is shown by a bluish green discoloration around the eyes, more popularly known as the ‘black eye.’ Disappearance of pooled blood in this area is particularly slow and can take from several days to a few weeks. Not only is it unsightly, but can cause light-headedness and headaches. Leech Therapy can be used to immediately evacuate the pooled blood around the eyes so the bluish-green discoloration can disappear after a mere couple of days. Prevent Progress of Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when there is too much production of vitreous humor or when there’s a very slow reabsorption of vitreous humor. Vitreous humor is a transparent, jelly-like substance that gives nourishment to the eyes. Too much of it however, can be problematic, where the intra-ocular pressure can increase, causing compression of the eye structures. This causes gradual blurring of vision and slow but certain loss of sight. Those at risk of developing glaucoma include diabetics, people over the age of 40, and people with a family history of the disease. If detected and treated in its early stages, glaucoma can be controlled and vision can be saved. Leech Therapy can assist in the progression of this disease. The use of leeches to lessen the rate of blood flow to the eye lessens the production of vitreous humor and thus lessens the pressure inside the eye. Leech therapy can therefore help patients with glaucoma if this procedure is done in regular and frequent intervals and in conjunction with medicines that Ophthalmologists [medical eye specialists] prescribe to lessen the production of vitreous humor and lower the overall blood pressure in the area.Preventing Eye Inflammation Another area where leech therapy can be beneficial is eye inflammation. Chorioretinitis [an inflammation of the choroid and retina of the eye], conjunctivitis [inflammation of the conjunctiva of one or both eyes], Keratitis [a condition in which the eye's cornea, the front part of the eye, becomes inflamed] and schleritis [a serious inflammatory disease that affects the white outer coating of the eye, known as the sclera] are just some of eye inflammation disorders. Eye inflammations are inclined to have blood and other blood components pool in the affected area. This is the body’s natural response, where it’s attempting to fix whatever’s wrong or damage in that area. Unfortunately, the pooling of too much blood causes significant change in the pressure inside the eye and this pressure causes compression and damage to other parts.Blood expelled after different treatmentsDuring Leech Therapy, blood is sucked out, thereby reducing inflammation. This leads to a reduction in pressure and lessens post-inflammatory complications. Hirudotherapy also has a rejuvenating effect, where a feeling of vitality and renewed energy is felt by the patient. This is mainly due to relief from pain in certain treated conditions, as well as cleansing of the blood. There are no real explanations, but rather observations that over the centuries, Leech Therapy has indeed been used as a cure for many eye diseases.

Hirudotherapy for Psoriasis

There are many skin diseases that can be treated with Hirudotherapy and one disease worth mentioning is Psoriasis.Psoriasis is a common skin condition that occurs when the skin cells replace themselves too quickly. There are many different types, but the most common is chronic plaque psoriasis. Example of psoriasisWhat are the symptoms?The extent of the disease can vary from a few tiny lesions here and there on the body, but are most commonly seen on knees, elbows, the chest and scalp, appearing as red, scaly patches that reveal fine silvery scales when scraped or scratched and often itch and feel uncomfortable. This condition can cause sufferers to become withdrawn and uncomfortable in forming relationships because of the way people react to the appearance of their skin. Blood expelled after different treatmentsWhat causes it? Why psoriasis occurs is unknown, which makes it quite impossible to prevent. However, many things are thought to trigger the condition, including skin injury, sore throats/chest infections, some drug treatments, sunburn and even stress. As hopeless as it all may sound, ancient doctors have been using Hirudotherapy to improve the outcome of skin diseases like psoriasis. Not only are leeches useful for sucking pooled blood, their saliva also contains active substances that are bactericidal [fights off bacteria that proliferates over thick layers of excess skin cells]. Other substances in the leech’s saliva also cause gradual slowing of skin cell production, giving noticeable relief for patients

Buergers Disease Leech Therapy

2009-04-07T05:02:00.000-07:00

Buergers Disease Leech Therapy

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Παραγγελία και Τιμές

2009-03-27T03:44:00.000-07:00

Σας προσφέρουμε βδέλλες ιατρικές ευρωπαϊκής βδελλοπαραγωγής .
Στέλνουμε τις βδέλλες σε όλη την Ελλάδα με αντικαταβολή. Η αποστολή γίνεται με την χρέωση του παραλήπτη (πελάτη). Η μικρότερη παραγγελία 10 βδέλλες .

Βδέλλες ιατρικές HIRUDO MEDICINALIS - €10/μια ( για παραγγελία μέχρι 30 βδέλλες )
Βδέλλες ιατρικές HIRUDO MEDICINALIS - € 8 /μια (για παραγγελία 31-80 βδέλλες)
Βδέλλες ιατρικές HIRUDO MEDICINALIS - € 5 /μια (για παραγγελία πάνω από 80 βδέλλες).

Η παραγγελία στέλνεται μέσα σε 4-6 εργάσιμες μέρες με αντικαταβολή με κούριερ ή ταχυδρομικά - «πόρτα-πόρτα» με χρέωση του παραλήπτη. Δεν γίνονται αλλαγές και επιστροφές .

Αποθήκευση και φροντίδα των βδελλών

2009-03-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

Μας κάνουν πολλές ερωτήσεις για το πώς να φροντίζουμε βδέλλες .
Πάρτε ένα γυάλινο βάζο, γεμίστε το στα 2/3 με το μη-χλωριωμένο νερό ( καλύτερο από την φιάλη ), καλύψτε το με ύφασμα και σφίξτε το ύφασμα με λάστιχο (οι βδέλλες μπορούν να συρθούν έξω χωρίς εμφανή τρύπα - η μικρότερη τρύπα είναι αρκετά μεγάλη για αυτές). Η βδέλλα πρέπει να αναπνέει (μπορεί να αναπνέει μέσω του υφάσματος αλλά όχι μέσω μιας πλαστικής κάλυψης).
Να αλλάζετε το νερό κάθε 2-4 ημέρες (εξαρτάται από την ποσότητα ζωών σε ένα βάζο). Υπολογίστε ότι για κάθε βδέλλα χρειάζεται τουλάχιστον 30-40μλ νερού , να πλένεται το βάζο με ζεστό νερό 1 φορά την βδομάδα χωρίς απορρυπαντικά αλλά με βούρτσα. Ιδανική θερμοκρασία για τις βδέλλες είναι 7-30 βαθμούς Κελσίου .
Οι πληροφορίες είναι σωστές για τις βδέλλες που παρέχουμε εμείς . Εάν αγοράζετε τις βδέλλες κάπου αλλού πρέπει να ρωτήσετε τον προμηθευτή σας πώς να τις φροντίζετε.

Αντενδείξεις και επιπλοκές βδελλοθεραπείας

2009-03-27T03:37:00.000-07:00

Η βδελλοθεραπεία μπορεί να γίνει μόνο από ειδικά εκπαιδευμένο ιατρό η νοσηλευτή .
Απόλυτη αντένδειξη είναι μόνο Αιμοφιλία
Η βδελλοθεραπεία σπάνια οδηγεί σε σοβαρές επιπλοκές. Η «Προσθετική αντίδραση» - ειναι ήπιος τοπικός πόνος, κοκκίνισμα, κνησμός και πυρέτιο και είναι κανονική αντίδραση.
Οι περισσότεροι ασθενείς περιγράφουν έναν τοπικό πόνο συρσίματος που εμφανίζεται αμέσως μετά από τα δαγκώματα βδέλλας και εμμένει για περίπου ένα έως πέντε λεπτά. Στη μελέτη της αποτελεσματικότητας της βδελλοθεραπείας στους ασθενείς με την οστεοαρθρίτιδα του γονάτου, κατά προσέγγιση 70% των ασθενών που θεραπεύθηκαν με τις βδέλλες, τους αναπτύχθηκε τοπικός κνησμός που διάρκεσε εν μέσο όρο δύο ημέρες. Μετά από το δάγκωμα οι άκρες της πληγής πρήζονται γενικά για 12-48 ώρες που συνοδεύονται από ένα συναίσθημα της τοπικής έντασης, της θερμότητας, και του κοκκινίσματος. Τα μικρά σημεία αίματος (ecchymoses) αναπτύσσονται κάτω από το δέρμα γύρω από το δάγκωμα της βδέλλας. Οι μεγαλύτερες συλλογές του αίματος αναπτύσσονται σπάνια. Όταν αφήνονται ανενόχλητα, τα σημάδια συνήθως γρήγορα συρρικνώνονται (εξαφανίζονται εντελώς μέσα σε μια έως τρεις εβδομάδες). Εντούτοις, λόγω του γρατσουνίσματος ή της δευτεροβάθμιας μόλυνσης πληγών, τα σημάδια μπορούν να παραμείνουν για αρκετούς μήνες σε απομονωμένες περιπτώσεις.
Υπόταση και αγγειοπαρασυμπαθητικές επιθέσεις.

Οι ασθενείς με ιστορία στην ανάπτυξη των αγγειοπαρασυμπαθητικών αντιδράσεων ή της συγκοπής (λιποθυμία) πριν από άλλες μεθόδους θεραπείας μπορούν επίσης να αναπτύξουν μια τέτοια αντίδραση στην έναρξη ή κατά τη διάρκεια της θεραπείας με βδέλλες. Μια έρευνα έδειξε ότι η αγγειοπαρασυμπαθητική επίθεση εμφανίστηκε στη μια από τις 1000 περιπτώσεις . Η πίεση του αίματος του ασθενή πρέπει να ελεγχθεί και τα αντιυπερτασικά φάρμακα πρέπει να ρυθμιστούν όπως απαιτούνται.

Απώλεια αίματος.
Η βδελλοθεραπεία συνδέεται πάντα με έναν ορισμένο βαθμό απώλειας αίματος, ο οποίος είναι κλινικά άσχετη στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις. Στην κλινική δοκιμή, η μέση απώλεια αιμογλοβίνης ήταν 0.7 mg/dL, και κλινικά η σχετική απώλεια αίματος δεν εμφανίστηκε σε οποιοδήποτε από τους ασθενείς που μελετήθηκαν. Εντούτοις, έχουν υπάρξει απομονωμένες παρατηρήσεις ισχυρότερα με μια αντίστοιχη μείωση στην αιμογλοβίνη, ιδιαίτερα σε περιπτώσεις όπου μια βδέλλα εφαρμόστηκε ακούσια άμεσα σε μια επιφανειακή φλέβα. Κανονικά μια δερματική συρραφή πρέπει να σταματήσει σε διάρκεια 36 ωρών. Τα αντιπηκτικά είναι ταυτόχρονα σημαντικά φάρμακα και πρέπει να ρυθμιστούν όπως απαιτούνται - Αspirin, Clopidogrel, Iscover, Plavix ή Tocoferol , Omacor. Σε αυτές τις περιπτώσεις αρχικά πρέπει να χρησιμοποιηθεί ένας μικρότερος αριθμός βδελλών (τρεις έως τέσσερις). Η πήξη του αίματος πρέπει πάντα να ελέγχεται πριν αρχίσει βδελλοθεραπεία. Για να προφυλάξει την απώλεια αίματος, ο ιατρός δεν πρέπει ποτέ να χρησιμοποιήσει περισσότερες από 12 βδέλλες σε μια συνεδρία .
Φλεγμονώδεις αντιδράσεις.
Ο ανάρμοστος χειρισμός, ειδικά πρόωρη διακοπή από την πληγή, που συμπιέζει το κεφάλι της βδέλλας με τις λαβίδες, ισχυρή αφαίρεση της βδέλλας προτού τελειώσει τη σίτιση, και η αποτυχία το να κρατηθούν τα ζώα στο φρέσκο νερό, έχει αποδεχθεί συχνά ως πιθανές αιτίες φλεγμονωδών αντιδράσεων . Εντούτοις, έχει παρατηρηθεί επίσης σε σπανιότερες περιπτώσεις μετά από τον κατάλληλο χειρισμό βδελλών να εμφανιστεί φλεγμονώδης αντίδραση. Θεωρητικά, η τοπική μόλυνση από τη βδέλλα είναι μια πιθανή αιτία, αλλά δεν έχει υπάρξει κανένα μικροβιολογικό στοιχείο μέχρι τώρα στις εκκρίσεις της βδέλλας στις πληγές των ασθενών. Οι χειρότερες τοπικές αναφλέξεις συνηθέστερα προκαλούνται από τη δευτεροβάθμια μόλυνση ή την ενόχληση πληγών λόγω της μηχανικής ενόχλησης, όπως το γρατσούνισμα και το τρίψιμο. Μερικοί ιατροί χορηγούν τα antihistamines για την επεξεργασία των τοπικών αλλεργικών αντιδράσεων και αντιβιοτικά για προφύλαξη λοίμωξης από Α. hydrophila με καλή επιτυχία. Η σηψαιμία λόγω της συστημικής μόλυνσης με το hydrophila αερομονάδας έχει παρατηρηθεί επανειλημμένα μετά από την εφαρμογή βδέλλας στις επανορθωτικές επεμβάσεις, αλλά όχι σε οποιονδήποτε από τους άλλους σχετικούς τομείς της χρήσης. Αυτό υποστηρίζει το συμπέρασμα ότι ο κίνδυνος σηψαιμίας hydrophila αερομονάδας αυξάνεται μόνο στους ασθενείς με τις ασθένειες καταστολής του ανοσοποιητικού συστήματος, όπως συχνά παρατηρείται στους χειρουργικούς ασθενείς . Προφυλακτικά μπορούν να χορηγούνται–σιπροφλοξασίνη, σεκλορ, κεφοταξίμη, κεφταζιντίμης, γενταμυκίνη, και τριμεθοπρίμη/σουλφαμεθοξαζόλη στα άτομα που ανήκουν σε ομάδες υψηλού κινδύνου για επιπλοκές - μωρά και υπερήλικες, άτομα οποίοι έχουν σαχ. διαβήτη, καρκίνο, αναιμία, χρόνια φλεγμονώδης νόσος, παχυσαρκία, χρόνια χολοκυστίτιδα, ανοσοκαταστολή – χημειοθεραπεία, ακτινοβολία, χρήση κορτικοειδών, υποθρεψια, λοίμωξη δέρματος.
Αλλεργικές αντιδράσεις. Η βδελλοθεραπεία πάρα πολύ σπάνια οδηγεί στις γενικές αλλεργικές επιπλοκές Σε αυτές σπανιότερες περιπτώσεις η αντιμετώπιση της αλλεργίας γίνεται με σύγχρονες θεραπευτικές οδηγίες. Ο ήπιος τοπικός κνησμός είναι κανονική αντίδραση. Προφυλακτικά μπορούν να χορηγούνται αντιϊσταμινικά .

Βασικές ενδείξεις για βδελλοθεραπεία

2009-03-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

Φλεγμονώδεις αντιδράσεις
Καρδιακές παθήσεις
Ρευματικές παθήσεις
Συμφορητικα συμπτωματα
Τενοντοελυτρίτιδα και τενοντίτιδα
Φλεβίτιδα και κιρσοί
Εκφυλιστική αρθροπάθεια
Αρθρίτιδα
Ένταση μυών
Τοξίκωση, ηπατίτιδα, κίρρωση
Θρόμβωση και εμβολή
Σύνδρομο πόνου
Γυναικεία στειρότητα
Προστατίτιδα

Συχνές ερωτήσεις για βδελλοθεραπεία

2009-03-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

1.Σε ποιες περιπτώσεις χρειάζεται να χρησιμοποιήσεις βδέλλες;
Οι βδέλλες έχουν αντιπηκτικές και απορροφητικές ιδιότητες, και είναι καταλληλότερες για αντιμετώπιση προβλημάτων στην κυκλοφορία του αίματος, που εμφανίζονται λόγω θρόμβωσης , αιμορροΐδων, εμφράγματος, ασθενειών φλεβών και αρτηριών. Στα εγκεφαλικά επεισόδια και υπέρταση. Θετικά επίσης αποτελέσματα παρατηρούνται στις ρευματικές ασθένειες , αρθροπάθειες, στους πόνους της σπονδυλικής στήλης,, στους μυείς , στα τραύματα, στις ασθένειες του ήπατος , στις νευραλγίες, γυναικολογικές ασθένειες , στη στειρότητα ,στις φλεγμονώδεις ασθένειες του δέρματος και άλλα. (κοιτάξτε: Βασικές ενδείξεις για βδελλοθεραπεία)

2. Πως προετοιμαζόμαστε για την συνεδρία;
Προετοιμάζοντας για την πρώτη επίσκεψη στον ιατρό, μαζέψτε ότι αποτελέσματα έχετε από εξετάσεις που έχετε κάνει μαζί με το βιβλιάριο υγείας και το συνταγολόγιο, να θυμάστε ότι λαμβάνονται υπόψη και ασθένειες που έχετε ήδη περάσει για να σας χορηγηθεί η βδελλοθεραπεία.
Ενημερώστε τον ιατρό για όλες τις ενοχλήσεις που έχετε, ακόμη και για αυτές που κατά την γνώμη σας δεν έχουν άμεση σχέση με το πρόβλημά σας.
Ενημερώστε τον ιατρό για όλα τα φάρμακα που λαμβάνετε ακόμη και αυτά που λαμβάνετε κατά καιρούς.
Παραμονή της εξέτασης πλυθείτε καλά με παιδικό σαπούνι.
Την ημέρα της εξέτασης και της συνεδρίας μη χρησιμοποιήσετε αρωματικά σαπούνια καλλυντικά και οποιουδήποτε είδους αρώματα. Σε καμία περίπτωση μη καταναλώσετε αλκοόλ. Αποφύγετε την χρήση χημικών προϊόντων( π.χ. υγρό πιάτων, χλωρίνη, βενζίνη, μανό, μπογιά κ.α.) που αφήνουν οποιαδήποτε μυρωδιά στην οποία είναι ευαίσθητές οι βδέλλες.
Γυναίκες που θα χρειαστεί να κάνουν χρήση των βδελλών στα πόδια προτιμότερο να φοράνε παντελόνι .
3-4 ώρες πριν την συνεδρία μην καπνίζετε.
Μετά την συνεδρία
Μην βγάλετε τον επίδεσμο κατά την διάρκεια ενός 24ωρου, εάν έχει βραχεί από πάνω προσθέστε άλλον ένα επίδεσμο. Για κάθε τυχόν αδιαθεσία ενημερώστε τον ιατρό σας. Σε πολλές περιπτώσεις οι αδιαθεσίες αυτές οφείλονται στην φυσιολογική αντίδραση του οργανισμού στη βδέλλα και περνάνε μετά από μερικές ώρες. Μερικές φορές, όμως χρειάζεται να διακοπεί η βδελλοθεραπεία.
Απαγορεύεται να ξύνετε και να πειράζετε τα σημεία των δαγκωμάτων, εάν η ενόχληση είναι έντονη, τότε ο γιατρός, θα σας δώσει απαραίτητα χάπια.

3.Υπάρχει πόνος από το δάγκωμα της βδέλλας;
Το δάγκωμα της βδέλλας θυμίζει τσίμπημα κουνουπιού και αυτό ως γνωστό δεν θεωρείται πόνος. Το δάγκωμα μιας βδέλλας είναι ανώδυνο λόγω του αναισθητικού που εμπεριέχεται στο σάλιο του.

4.Υπάρχουν παρενέργειες από την βδελλοθεραπεία;
Εάν η διαδικασία της εφαρμογής έχει γίνει σωστά τότε οι παρενέργειες είναι πολύ σπάνιες. Πιθανόν να προκαλέσει σημείο αντίδρασης ελαφρύ κοκκίνισμα, ενόχληση, δέκατα.

5.Που αλλού χρησιμοποιούνται οι βδέλλες;
Οι βδέλλες βελτιώνουν την κυκλοφορία στο δέρμα και στα τοιχώματα των οργάνων, χρησιμοποιούνται στην πλαστική χειρουργική και την τραυματολογία για την καλυτέρευση της κυκλοφορίας του αίματος στο μεταμοσχευμένο όργανο.

6.Γιατί χρησιμοποιούνται οι βδέλλες σε αυτές της περιπτώσεις και όχι κάτι άλλο;
Σε μερικές περιπτώσεις οι βδέλλες συντηρούν καλύτερα την κυκλοφορία του αίματος.

7.Πόσο αίμα μπορεί να πιει μια ιατρική βδέλλα;
Βδέλλα (ευρωπαϊκό είδος Hirudo medicinalis) μπορεί να πιει από 5 έως 15 γρ αίματος. Που είναι 4-6 φορές περισσότερο από το κανονικό τους βάρος. Η αμερικάνικη βδέλλα Macrobdella Decora πίνει 10 φορές λιγότερο αίμα από την Hirudo medicinalis. Στην ιατρική χρησιμοποιούνται 3 είδη βδελλών. Σε μία συνεδρία χρησιμοποιούνται πάνω από 10 βδέλλες που σημαίνει ότι ο ασθενής θα χάσει προσεγγιστικά 150γρ αίματος. Συνήθως χρησιμοποιούν 4-12 βδέλλες την φορά.

8.Γιατί κάποιοι άνθρωποι αποφεύγουν την χρήση των βδελλών;
Λόγω αμάθειας ή φόβου.

Η Ιρουδίνη λαμβάνεται από τις βδέλλες Hirudo medicinalis

2009-02-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.mednet.gr/archives/2000-3/273.html

Θ. ΠΑΠΑΛΑΜΠΡΟΣ, Κ. ΚΑΡΜΑΝΙΩΛΑΣΓ' Παθολογική Κλινική, ΝΙΜΤΣ, Αθήνα
"Η αντιθρομβωτική αγωγή, που εφαρμόζεται σε περιπτώσεις ΜΦΘ, περιλαμβάνει τη χορήγηση μη κλασματοποιημένης ηπαρίνης, ηπαρίνες χαμηλού μοριακού βάρους ΗΧΜΒ, αντιβιταμινών Κ, ιρουδίνης και θρομβολυτικών

Ιρουδίνη. Η ιρουδίνη (πρωτεΐνη, που λαμβάνεται από τη βδέλλα Hirudo medicinalis) είναι ένας νέος ειδικός αναστολέας της θρομβίνης (δεν απαιτεί την ύπαρξη συμπαράγοντα στο πλάσμα), που δίνει πολλές υποσχέσεις στον τομέα της προφύλαξης από τη μετεγχειρητικής φλεβικής θρόμβωσης και τη μετεγχειρητική πνευμονική εμβολή. Είναι πολυπεπτίδιο μικρού μοριακού βάρους (7.000 daltons), με μικρότερο χρόνο ημίσειας ζωής από την ηπαρίνη (50 έναντι 90 min). Δεν έχει άμεση δράση στα αιμοπετάλια και δεν προκαλεί θρομβοπενία. Έχει χαμηλή τοξικότητα και δεν προκαλεί αλλεργικές αντιδράσεις ούτε σοβαρές αιμορραγίες, ενώ δεν απαιτεί εξουδετέρωση. Από μελέτες σε ασθενείς που υποβάλλονται σε ΟΑΙ, η ιρουδίνη φαίνεται να είναι περισσότερο αποτελεσματική στην πρόληψη της ΜΦΘ και της μετεγχειρητικής πνευμονικής εμβολής, τόσο από τις ΜΔΗ (μικρές δόσεις ηπαρίνης) όσο και από τις ΗΧΜΒ, ενώ είναι τουλάχιστον εξίσου ασφαλής με τις ΗΧΜΒ..."

Walsmann B, Kaiser B. Biochemical and pharmacological properties of recombinant hirudin. Drugs Today 1989, 25:473–485

Markwardt F, Novak G, Sturzebecher J, Griesbach U, Walsmann B, Vogel G ET AL. Pharmacokinetics and anticoagulant effect of hirudin in man. Thromb Haemost 1984, 52:160–163

Eriksson BI, Jorgensen PW, Kalebo P, Mouret P, Rosencher N, Bosch P ET AL. A comparison of recombinant hirudin with a low molecular weight heparin to prevent thromboembοlic complications after total hip replacement. N Engl J Med 1997, 337: 1329–1335

Refludan - Η λεπιρουδίνη (Φαρμακοθεραπευτική κατηγορία: Αντιθρομβωτικός παράγοντας – άμεσος αναστολέας θρομβίνης) είναι ανασυνδυασμένη ιρουδίνη. Το πολυπεπτίδιο που αποτελείται από 65 αμινοξέα έχει μοριακό βάρος 6979,5 Dalton. Η φυσική ιρουδίνη παράγεται σε ελάχιστα ποσά ως μια οικογένεια υψηλά ομόλογων ισοπολυπεπτιδίων από τις βδέλλες Hirudo medicinalis. Η λεπιρουδίνη είναι ένας υψηλά εξειδικευμένος άμεσος αναστολέας της θρομβίνης.

2009-02-12T06:11:00.001-08:00

H Demi Moore παραδέχτηκε ότι κάνει θεραπεία με βδέλλες

Eνα φάρμακο του Mεσαίωνα αναβιώνει: Θεραπεία Πόνου με βδέλλες

2009-02-12T05:41:00.000-08:00

kathimerini.gr 03/08/2003 The New York Times
Oι βδέλλες χρησιμοποιούνται εδώ και αιώνες για την ανακούφιση του πόνου και των φλεγμονών. Tα τελευταία χρόνια, μάλιστα, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν από τους χειρουργούς, προκειμένου να διατηρήσουν τη ροή του αίματος σε ορισμένες τομές, ενώ επουλώνονται.
Σήμερα
Γερμανοί γιατροί προχώρησαν ακόμη πιο μακριά και κατά τη διάρκεια μικρής μελέτης που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε κλινική του Essen, διαπίστωσαν ότι οι βδέλλες είναι ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματικές και στην ανακούφιση του αθριτικού πόνου στα γόνατα.
Xωρίς παρενέργειες
Kατά τη διάρκεια της μελέτης τους, οι γιατροί θεράπευσαν 10 ασθενείς, τοποθετώντας τέσσερις βδέλλες γύρω από το γόνατό τους για 80 λεπτά. Oι ασθενείς περιέγραψαν ότι ένιωσαν ένα ελαφρό τσίμπημα, αλλά δεν παρουσίασαν άλλες παρενέργειες. Σε μια άλλη ομάδα ελέγχου, οι ερευνητές παρακολούθησαν έξι παρόμοιους ασθενείς, οι οποίοι αρνήθηκαν θεραπεία με βδέλλες.
Tην επόμενη ημέρα μετά τη θεραπευτική αγωγή ο πόνος –μεταξύ αυτών που είχαν υποβληθεί σε θεραπεία με βδέλλες– μειώθηκε στο ήμισυ, ενώ η ομάδα ελέγχου δεν ανέφερε καμιά μεταβολή. H πρώτη ομάδα συνέχισε να παρουσιάζει βελτίωση. Mε κλίμακα μέτρησης από το 0 έως το 10 –όπου στο 10 ήταν τα άτομα που ένιωθαν πολύ πόνο– διαπιστώθηκε μείωση του πόνου στο 1 από 7,4 που ήταν πριν από τη θεραπεία 30 ημερών. Oσο για τη μέτρηση της ομάδας ελέγχου αυτή μειώθηκε μόλις στο 4,8 από το 6,3 που ήταν στην αρχή.
Φυσικό παυσίπονο

Oι ερευνητές εκτιμούν ότι το μυστικό πιθανώς κρύβεται στο σάλιο της βδέλλας, που περιέχει πληθώρα ουσιών, οι οποίες είναι γνωστό ότι δρουν σαν φυσικό παυσίπονο και συμβάλλουν στη μείωση της φλεγμονής. Ωστόσο, οι επιστήμονες άφησαν ανοιχτό και το ενδεχόμενο να έχει παίξει κάποιο ρόλο και το φαινόμενο ψευδοφαρμάκου, κάτι που δεν μπορεί να υπολογιστεί, καθώς δεν υπάρχουν βδέλλες που να παίζουν τον ρόλο του ψευδοφαρμάκου. {{copyright}}

Ανακαλύπτοντας το παρελθόν: Βδέλλες για την αντιμετώπιση της οστεοαρθρίτιδας

2009-02-12T04:42:00.000-08:00

Hμερομηνία : 25-07-2002
Copyright: http://www.kathimerini.gr
Λονδίνο: Η αρχαία πρακτική της χρησιμοποίησης βδελλών για ιατρικούς σκοπούς είναι πιθανό να χρησιμοποιηθεί για την αντιμετώπιση του πόνου της οστεοαρθρίτιδας, σύμφωνα με πειραματική έρευνα Γερμανών επιστημόνων που δημοσιεύεται στην επιστημονική επιθεώρηση Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Επιστήμονες από το νοσοκομείο Essen-Mitte της Γερμανίας υπέβαλλαν σε θεραπεία με βδέλλες 16 ασθενείς με οστεοαρθρίτιδα. Τα αποτελέσματα ήταν θετικά, καθώς σύμφωνα με τα συμπεράσματά τους, ελαττώθηκε τόσο ο πόνος όσο και η φλεγμονή που οφείλονται στην ασθένεια. Οι ασθενείς είχαν μέσο όρο ηλικίας 68 έτη και παρουσίαζαν επίμονους πόνους για διάστημα μεγαλύτερο των έξι μηνών, ενώ ασκήσεις φυσιοθεραπείας, τεχνικές χαλάρωσης και ειδική διατροφή αποτελούσαν ήδη μέρος του θεραπευτικού τους προγράμματος. Οι βδέλλες τοποθετήθηκαν στα γόνατα δέκα ασθενών για 80 λεπτά, ενώ στους υπόλοιπους έξι χορηγήθηκε η κλασική φαρμακευτική αγωγή. Η καταγραφή της έντασης του πόνου ξεκίνησε τρεις ημέρες πριν από την έναρξη των πειραμάτων και συνεχίστηκε καθημερινά επί 28 ημέρες μετά την εφαρμογή της. Η θεραπεία με βδέλλες προκάλεσε γρήγορη μείωση του πόνου μόλις 24 ώρες μετά την έναρξή της, ενώ αυτοί που ακολούθησαν φαρμακευτική αγωγή δεν είχαν παρόμοια ανακούφιση από τους πόνους. Δεν παρουσιάστηκαν παρενέργειες και επιμολύνσεις με μόνο αναφερόμενο πρόβλημα, το πρώτο τσίμπημα της βδέλλας, το οποίο οι ασθενείς χαρακτήρισαν επώδυνο. Η Τζέιν Τάντμαν από το Arthritis Research Campaign εμφανίστηκε ιδιαίτερα επιφυλακτική σχετικά με την έρευνα και τόνισε στο BBC ότι "απαιτούνται περαιτέρω έρευνες για να επιβεβαιωθούν τα θετικά συμπεράσματα των Γερμανών επιστημόνων. Είναι πιθανό, λόγω του μικρού αριθμού των ασθενών, η ελάττωση του πόνου να οφείλεται σε μεγάλο μέρος σε αυθυποβολή. Εάν σκέφτεσαι συνέχεια ότι η θεραπεία σού κάνει καλό, τότε νιώθεις και καλύτερα". Οι συγγραφείς της έρευνας δηλώνουν ότι οι βδέλλες έχουν στο σώμα τους αναλγητικές και αναισθητικές χημικές ουσίες που είναι πιθανό να προκαλούν μείωση του πόνου, αλλά παραδέχονται ότι τα συμπεράσματά τους βασίζονται σε μικρή έρευνα και προτείνουν πειράματα σε μεγαλύτερο αριθμό ασθενών, προτού οι βδέλλες αποτελέσουν και πάλι -μετά το 19ο αιώνα- ιατρικό εργαλείο.
Σχετική ιστοσελίδα: http //www.health.in.gr

Βδέλλες και ιατρική: Σύγχρονες εφαρμογές

2009-02-12T02:54:00.000-08:00

Οι βδέλλες (Hirudo Medicinalis) χρησιμοποιούνται από τους ανθρώπους για ιατρικούς σκοπούς εδώ και χιλιάδες χρόνια.

Στη σύγχρονη ιατρική, οι βδέλλες για πρώτη φορά έχουν πάρει επίσημη έγκριση για χρήση στον άνθρωπο από το Food and Drug Administration των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών που είναι ένας από τους πλέον αυστηρούς οργανισμούς έγκρισης φαρμάκων στον κόσμο...

Περισσότερα διαβάστε στην πηγή :

http://www.medlook.net.cy/article.asp?item_id=1366