Response of Ultrasound Therapy and Shortwave Diathermy on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Serum β-endorphins in Dogs Suffering from Hind Quarter Weakness

Abstract

Background: Hind quarter weakness (HQW) is the loss of bilateral motor function of the rear limbs due to dysfunction of neural or muscular system. Animals are mostly presented with focal or generalized pain, varying degrees of paresis, paralysis and inability to urinate. Serum β- endorphin is an endogenous hormone released during stressful and painful events and functions almost exclusively in an inhibitory fashion. Moreover, electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to release endorphins at low frequencies. Methods: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible participation of endogenous opioid i.e. Serum β - endorphins and oxidative stress parameters in pain modulation and its variation in dogs suffering from hind quarter weakness subjected to ultrasound therapy and shortwave diathermy. Dogs were treated using therapeutic ultrasound (group I, n=6) and shortwave diathermy (group II, n=6) in combination with supportive drug therapy continued regularly for one week. Blood was collected on day 0, 3rd and 7th for oxidative stress estimation and regularly from the day of presentation till 7th day of treatment for serum β-endorphin estimation. Result: LPO values decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) from day 0 to 3 in group I and from day 0 to 7 in group II. SOD values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease between day 0 and 7 in group II cases. A continuous progressive increasing trend in GSH was noticed which was significant (P less than 0.05) from day 3 to 7 in both groups. CAT values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase from day 0 to 7 in group II and non-significant (P less than 0.05) increase in group I. Serum β-endorphin values showed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase from day 4th to 6th in group I and between day 0, 1st, 3rd and 5th in group II. The variation in values throughout the treatment was suggestive of reduction in stress response and indicates improvement in dogs suffering from HQW.