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Physiotherapeutic Protocol and ZnO Nanoparticles: A Combined Novel Treatment Program against Bacterial Pyomyositis
Hesham El-Shaer1, Bassma H Elwakil2, Basant A Bakr3
1Faculty of Physical Therapy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria 21500, Egypt.
Abstract:
Myositis tropicans or pyomyositis is a muscle inflammation resulting from a bacterial infection of skeletal muscle (commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus) that usually leads to hematogenous muscle seeding. The present study was designed to estimate the role of ZnO-NPs and a physiotherapeutic program in the management of induced biceps femoris atrophy in rats through histological, biochemical, and radiological examinations at different time intervals. At the beginning, several bacterial strains were evaluated through a proteolytic enzyme activity assay and the highest activity was recorded with the Staphylococcus aureus strain. ZnO-NPs were synthesized with the arc discharge method with an average size of 19.4 nm. The antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs was investigated and it was revealed that the prepared ZnO-NPs showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 µg/mL against the tested bacterium. The cytotoxicity of the prepared ZnO-NPs was tested in C2C12 myoblast cells, and it was elaborated that CC50 was 344.16 µg/mL. Biceps femoris pyomyositis was induced with a potent strain (Staphylococcus aureus); then, a physiotherapeutic program combined with the prepared ZnO-NPs treatment protocol was applied and evaluated. The combined program claimed antibacterial properties, preventing muscle atrophy, and resulted in the most comparable value of muscle mass.
Insights
This study shows that combining zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with physiotherapy effectively manages bacterial muscle infections and prevents atrophy. The treatment preserved muscle mass in rats with induced pyomyositis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Nanotechnology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Pyomyositis, or tropical myositis, is a bacterial skeletal muscle infection, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Muscle atrophy is a common complication of pyomyositis, impacting recovery and function.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to manage bacterial muscle infections and prevent associated atrophy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) combined with a physiotherapy program in managing induced biceps femoris pyomyositis and atrophy in rats.
- To assess the histological, biochemical, and radiological changes in affected muscles.
- To determine the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of synthesized ZnO-NPs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized ZnO-NPs using the arc discharge method and characterized their size and antibacterial activity.
- Induced biceps femoris pyomyositis in rats using Staphylococcus aureus.
- Administered a combined treatment of ZnO-NPs and a physiotherapy program, followed by various examinations at different time points.
Main Results:
- Synthesized ZnO-NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 µg/mL.
- The combined ZnO-NP and physiotherapy treatment effectively prevented muscle atrophy and preserved muscle mass compared to control groups.
- Histological, biochemical, and radiological assessments indicated positive effects of the combined therapy on muscle regeneration and inflammation reduction.
Conclusions:
- The combination of ZnO-NPs and physiotherapy presents a promising therapeutic approach for managing pyomyositis and mitigating muscle atrophy.
- ZnO-NPs exhibit favorable antibacterial and safety profiles for potential therapeutic applications in muscle infections.
- Further research is warranted to translate these findings into clinical practice for human and animal pyomyositis management.
