Triclosan antimicrobial activity against dental-caries-related bacteria

Triclosan (TCS) is a chlorinated diphenyl ether and a possible active agent against microorganisms. Due to its probability of reducing dental plaque accumulation, TCS can be added as a substance for oral hygiene. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and antimicrobial capacity of TCS against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans. Methods: This work evaluates the percentage of bacteria inhibition of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and S. mutans (ATCC 25175). TCS concentrations between 2 and 128 µg.mL-1 were tested. Results: An inhibitory potential of TCS was found against S. mutans. No percentage of inhibition was detected against P. aeruginosa (technical and biological triplicate). Conclusion: TCS, an antimicrobial agent used in dentifrices, can reduce S. mutans levels therefore these dentifrices should be indicated for patients with a high risk of caries. However, further study is needed, including antimicrobial analyses against other microbial conditions

Host defense peptides clavanins A and MO reduce in vitro osteoclastogenesis

Aim: Several systemic diseases, such as periodontitis and apical periodontitis, can cause extensive bone resorption. Host defense peptides may have the potential for the development of novel therapies for the bone resorption process. This study evaluated the potential of host defense peptides clavanins A, MO, and LL-37 in in vitro osteoclastogenesis. Methods: RAW 264.7 cultures were stimulated with recombinant of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand in the presence of different tested concentrations of host defense peptides, besides calcium hydroxide and doxycycline. Cellular viability, nitric oxide production, and a number of differentiated osteoclast-like cells were also evaluated. Results: Results showed that none of the substances were cytotoxic, except for 128 µg.mL-1 of doxycycline after 3 days. Host defense peptides, calcium hydroxide, and doxycycline did not interfere in nitric oxide production or downregulated it. An exception was observed in the presence of 2 µg.mL-1 of doxycycline, in which nitric oxide production was up-regulated. All host defense peptides were capable of reducing osteoclast-like cell differentiation. Conclusion: Host defense peptides clavanins A and MO demonstrated to be potential suppressors of osteoclastogenesis in vitro without interfering in cellular viability and nitric oxide production. These promising results need to be further analyzed in in vivo models of bone resorption

Systemic conditions of diabetic patients diagnosed with apical periodontitis / Condições sistêmicas de pacientes diabéticos diagnosticados com periodontite apical

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between glycemic control status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and apical periodontitis. Methods: Twenty-seven patients were involved in this study. The survey was based on anamnesis, intra and extra oral examination and radiographic evaluation. Diabetes mellitus information involved type of diabetes and blood glucose analysis. Patients were divided according to their metabolic control status (glycemic controlled and poorly controlled T2DM patients). Results: A higher fasting blood glucose level (p = 0.004) and a higher percentage of HbA1c (p = 0.0001) were demonstrated in poorly controlled T2DM patients when compared to glycemic controlled T2DM. However, the frequency of apical periodontitis and the elapsed time since diabetes mellitus diagnosis were higher in controlled T2DM patients, reaching 64%. Nevertheless, controlled T2DM patients presented a higher number of apical periodontitis cases (p < 0.05). Findings support that controlled patients T2DM presented higher presence of apical periodontitis than poorly controlled T2DM ones. In these patients, the time elapsed since the diagnosis was higher, which may have provided a longer period of oscillation and/or uncontrolled metabolism. Conclusions: Therefore, it might contribute to the development and maintenance of apical periodontitis in glycemic controlled patients of this study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou avaliar a associação entre o estado de controle glicêmico em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) e a periodontite apical. Métodos: Vinte e sete pacientes foram envolvidos neste estudo. A pesquisa baseou-se na anamnese, exame intra e extraoral e avaliação radiográfica. As informações sobre o diabetes mellitus envolveram o tipo de diabetes e a análise da glicose sanguínea. Os pacientes foram divididos de acordo com seu estado de controle metabólico (pacientes com DM2 com controle glicêmico e pacientes com DM2 mal controlados). Resultados: Um maior nível de glicose em jejum (p = 0,004) e uma maior porcentagem de HbA1c (p = 0,0001) foram demonstrados em pacientes com DM2 mal controlada quando comparados com DM2 com controle glicêmico. Porém, a frequência de periodontite apical e o tempo decorrido desde o diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus foram maiores nos pacientes com DM2 controlado, chegando a 64%. No entanto, os pacientes com DM2 controlada apresentaram um maior número de casos de periodontite apical (p < 0,05). Os achados suportam que pacientes controlados com DM2 apresentam maior presença de periodontite apical do que pacientes com DM2 mal controlada. Nesses pacientes, o tempo decorrido desde o diagnóstico foi maior, o que pode ter proporcionado um período maior de oscilação e/ou metabolismo descontrolado. Conclusão: Portanto, pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento e manutenção da periodontite apical nos pacientes com controle glicêmico deste estudo.

Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureusstimulate nitric oxide production in macrophages and fibroblasts in vitro

Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator related to damage of the pulp tissue and at the same time to regenerative pulp processes. However, it is not clear how common endodontic microorganisms can regulate this mediator. This study aimed to investigate NO production by macrophages and fibroblasts against Enterococcus faecalis- and Staphylococcus aureus-antigens. Methods: RAW 264.7 macrophages and L929 fibroblast cell lines were stimulated with different heat-killed (HK) antigen concentrations (105-108 colony forming units - CFU) from E. faecalis and S. aureus with or without interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Cell viability by MTT colorimetric assay and NO production from the culture supernatants were evaluated after 72 h. Results: Data here reported demonstrated that none of the antigen concentrations decreased cell viability in macrophages and fibroblasts. The presence of HK-S. aureus and HK-E. faecalis antigen- stimulated NO production with or without IFN-γ on RAW 264.7. The HK-S. aureus antigen stimulated NO production in L929 fibroblasts with or without IFN-γ, and the highest concentration of HK-E. faecalis with IFN-γ also stimulated NO production by these cells. Conclusion: The amount of NO produced by macrophages and fibroblasts may be involved in the concentration and type of prevalent endodontic microorganisms, generating new answers for the understanding of pulpal revascularization/regeneration processes

Percepções de pacientes sobre a relação entre diabetes mellitus e saúde oral: um estudo transversal / Patients perceptions towards diabetes mellitus and oral health: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge of diabetic patients towards the connection between diabetes mellitus (DM) and oral diseases. Oral status was also assessed in order to evaluate the correlation among patients' perception and their oral health. Material and Methods: A sample of 132 diabetic subjects answered a questionnaire containing 12 questions addressing their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to oral health. Oral examination accessed the presence of cavity carious lesions, residual roots, dental biofilm, calculus, gingivitis, tooth mobility and gingival recession. Results: Fifty-four percent of the sample had never been instructed by their health professionals that DM could cause oral diseases. However, 66% presumed being more vulnerable to develop oral illnesses and 57.5% answered that they assumed having no oral disturbances at that moment. In contrast, intraoral clinical examination showed that 99% presented at least one oral injury such as caries lesions, plaque/calculus, gingival inflammation, tooth mobility, residual root and xerostomia. Conclusions: Health care professionals usually neglect oral status in diabetic patients. Above all, there is a huge gap between patients' perceptions towards oral health and their real oral status. This study highlights the need of developing new models of prevention that properly address the important clinical relation between oral diseases and DM.(AU)

Experimental Furcal Perforation Treated with MTA: Analysis of the Cytokine Expression

The aim of this study was to evaluate mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-induced cytokine expression in mice after experimental furcal perforation. BALB/c mice (n=5) were subjected to induced furcal drilling of the maxillary first molar followed by MTA sealing in the left side (experimental group) and paraffin sealing in the right side (control group). Animals were euthanized at 7, 14 and 21 days after sealing the perforations. The expression levels of the IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-4, TGF-β and RANKL genes were investigated by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the teeth and surrounding tissues. In the experimental groups, after the 7th day, there was a down-regulation of the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-4 compared to the 14th day (p<0.05). In these groups, the mRNA levels of RANKL, IFN-γ and TNF-α were statistically higher after 14 days compared to 21 days post-MTA sealing (p<0.05). The level of IL-10 mRNA was increased at the 21st day (p<0.05). The mRNA expression of TGF-β did not exhibit any statistically relevant results. There was a statistical down-regulation of IL-4 gene expressions when control and experimental groups were compared at days 7 and 21. In conclusion, MTA sealing favored the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the intermediate phase of the immuno-inflammatory response (14th day). The reduction of these cytokines in later phase of the response was probably due to immunoregulation by IL-10.

O objetivo desse artigo foi avaliar a expressão das citocinas induzidas por MTA após a perfuração experimental de furca, em camundongos. Camundongos Balb/c (n=5) foram submetidos à perfuração induzida da furca do primeiro molar superior, seguido pelo selamento da mesma com MTA no lado esquerdo (grupo experimental) e com parafina no lado direito (grupo controle). Os animais foram sacrificados 7, 14 e 21 dias após o tratamento da perfuração. A expressão gênica dos níveis de IFN-γ, TNF- α, IL-10, IL-4, TGF- β e RANKL foram investigadas por PCR em tempo real nos dentes e tecidos adjacentes. No grupo experimental, após 7 dias, houve uma diminuição da expressão dos níveis de TNF- α e IL-4 comparados ao 14° dia (p<0,05). Nesses mesmos grupos, os níveis de mRNA de RANKL, IFN- γ e TNF- α foram estatisticamente maiores após 14 dias comparados a 21 dias após o tratamento com MTA (p<0,05). Os níveis de IL-10 estavam aumentados no 21^o dia (p<0,05). A expressão de mRNA do TGF- β não apresentou alteração estatisticamente relevante. Houve uma redução estatística da expressão gênica da IL-4 quando os grupos controle e experimental foram comparados nos dias 7 e 21. Em conclusão, o selamento com MTA favoreceu a expressão de citocinas pró-inflamatórias na fase intermediária da resposta imuno-inflamatória (14^o dia). A redução dessas citocinas, na fase tardia da resposta, ocorreu provavelmente devido à imunoregulação da expressão de IL-10.

Agregado de trióxido mineral (MTA) e resposta imune: da imunidade inata à reabsorção óssea periapical / Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and immune response: from innate immunity to periapical bone resorption

O agregado de trióxido mineral (MTA), pode ser um cimento retro-obturador utilizado em regiões inflamadas e/ou infectadas, deve ser biocompatível e não interferir negativamente na resposta imune periapical. Sendo essa resposta imune um papel protetor, prevenindo a disseminação de infecções, as implicações clínicas de suas alterações precisam ser estudadas. Nesse contexto, nosso objetivo foi observar o papel do MTA na imunidade inata, adaptativa e na reabsorção óssea. A atividade de macrófagos M1 e M2 peritoneais, na presença do MTA, foi objeto de nosso estudo na imunidade inata. Foram analisadas a viabilidade e aderência celular, a fagocitose de Saccharomyces boulardii, a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROI) e de nitrogênio (NO), assim como a atividade da arginase. A produção de IgG em resposta ao Fusobacterium nucleatum, a proliferação e produção de citocinas por células T pré-imunes estimuladas por anti-TCR e anti-CD28 e por células T de memória reativas ao F. nucleatum e ao Peptostreptococus anaerobius, na presença do MTA, foram analisadas no estudo da resposta imune adaptativa. Por último, a influência do MTA na osteoclastogênese medida por RANKL e a atividade desses osteoclastos também foram pesquisadas. Observou-se que o MTA não afetou nem a atividade antibacteriana, nem a cicatricial dos macrófagos M1 e M2. A produção de IgG ao F. necleatum em MTA foi estimulada em níveis comparáveis aos grupos imunizados com F. nucleatum em adjuvante de Freund a adjuvante de hidróxido de alumínio. O MTA estimulou a proliferação das células T pré-imunes estimuladas com anti-TCR e anti-CD 28, elevou a produção das citocinas TNF, RANKL e IFN-y, além de diminuir a produção de IL-10, por essas células. O MTA reduziu a proliferação das células T de memória antígeno específica...

Aplicaçöes terapêuticas do iodofórmio em endodontia / Terapeutic aplications of iodoform in Endodontics

Os autores apresentam uma revisäo da literatura sobre emprego do iodofórmio como medicaçäo endodôntica, abordando aspectos referentes às propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas deste material, além de suas indicaçöes, contra-indicaçöes e pontos controversos encontrados na literatura pertinente