Secondary prevention of WMSD in a rat model

描述(申请人提供)：劳工统计局报告说，2001年因反复创伤引起的疾病占新报告的职业病病例的65%，占失去工作时间疾病的三分之一。与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病(WMSD)继续造成工人的严重不适、残疾和生产力损失。动物模型提供了在受控实验条件下检查组织效应的机会。我们已经在大鼠身上使用了这样的模型来研究WMSD的发展，现在建议使用我们的模型来测试二级预防干预的有效性。在这项拟议的五年研究中，我们将使用定性和定量的组织学、免疫化学、分子和神经生理学技术以及运动和感觉功能的行为测试来解决与二级预防干预相关的两个具体目标。1.确定人体工效学修改在减轻组织损伤的急性和慢性炎症阶段以及修复伴随高度重复性、强力任务的表现方面的有效性。执行高重复-高作用力(HRHF)到达和拉动任务方案的大鼠将被转移到轻负荷、低重复-可忽略力(LRNF)任务方案，从开始出现不适的行为证据开始。他们将在以后的时间点接受检查，并与不执行任务方案的训练有素的对照组以及执行HRHF或LRNF任务方案的对照组进行比较。2.确定抗炎药物在改善组织损伤的急性和慢性炎症阶段和修复伴随的重复性、强迫性任务的有效性。执行HRHF到达和拉动任务方案的大鼠将被给予治疗剂量的布洛芬，从出现不适的行为证据开始。他们将在以后的时间点进行检查，并与不执行任务方案的训练有素的对照组和执行HRHF任务方案的药物对照组进行比较。使用该模型来检查受伤和炎症组织对二级预防干预的反应将对职业健康实践做出重要贡献，因为我们将测试基于假设的治疗对临床相关生理和行为现象的有效性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Bureau of Labor statistics reports that illnesses due to repeated trauma accounted for 65 percent of the newly reported cases of occupational illnesses and for one in three lost work time illnesses in 2001. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) continue to cause substantial worker discomfort, disability and loss of productivity. Animal models provide an opportunity to examine tissue effects under controlled experimental conditions. We have used such a model in the rat to study the development of WMSDs and now propose to test the effectiveness of secondary prevention interventions using our model. In this proposed five-year study, we will use qualitative and quantitative histological, immunochemical, molecular and neurophysiological techniques as well as behavioral testing of motor and sensory function to address two specific aims related to secondary prevention interventions in a rat model of WMSD. 1. To determine the effectiveness of an ergonomic work modification in attenuating the acute and chronic inflammatory phases of tissue injury and repair accompanying performance of a highly repetitive, forceful task. Rats performing a high repetition-high force (HRHF) reaching and pulling task regimen will be transferred to a light duty, low repetition-negligible force (LRNF) task regimen beginning at the onset of behavioral evidence of discomfort. They will be examined at later time points and compared to trained controls that do not perform the task regimen and to controls that perform either the HRHF or LRNF task regimen. 2. To determine the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medication in ameliorating the acute and chronic inflammatory phases of tissue injury and repair accompanying performance of a repetitive, forceful task. Rats performing a HRHF reaching and pulling task regimen will be given therapeutic doses of ibuprofen beginning at the onset of behavioral evidence of discomfort. They will be examined at later time points and compared to trained controls and medicated controls that do not perform the task regimen and to controls that perform the HRHF task regimen.The use of this model to examine the response of injured and inflamed tissues to secondary prevention interventions will make important contributions to occupational health practice, because we will be testing the effectiveness of hypothesis-based treatments on clinically relevant physiological and behavioral phenomena.