Periodontal & systemic bone changes in rats with experimental lathyrism.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: It is not clear how lathyrism affects the systemic bone metabolism. We therefore undertook a study to observe periodontal and systemic bone changes by performing radiological, metabolic, and bone densitometric evaluations in rats with experimental lathyrism. METHODS: A total of 30 rats were used. Experimental lathyrism was induced by once daily subcutaneous administration of beta-aminopropionitrile (beta-APN), at a dose of 5 mg beta-APN/0.4 ml per 100 g of body weight for 40 days. After 40 days, vertebral bone mineral density was analyzed by means of dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry in both groups. Blood was drawn by cardiac puncture and the animals were decapitated. Serum calcium levels were measured. Right mandibles were removed and radiographs were obtained. Alveolar bone level was determined in the radiographs. RESULTS: In all lathyritic rats, alveolar bone level was pathologically decreased with visible resorption. Vertebral bone mineral density values of lathyritic rats did not differ significantly from those of the control group. Compared to controls, there was a statistically significant decrease in serum calcium levels in the lathyritic group (P<0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Significant alveolar bone resorption without alterations in vertebral bone mineral density indicated that lathyrogen administration for 40 days presumably has not caused systemic demineralization. This model could be used for studying the role of local and systemic agents on periodontal alveolar bone resorption.

Determination of systemically & locally induced periodontal defects in rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The role of lathyrogens on bone metabolism is unclear, therefore we undertook this study to observe periodontal and systemic alterations in experimental lathyrism in rat and compare these changes to that observed in the locally induced periodontitis group. METHODS: A total of 45 male Wistar rats were equally divided in the lathyritic group (group 1), ligature-induced periodontitis group (group 2), and healthy controls (group 3). Experimental lathyrism was induced by once daily subcutaneous administration of beta-aminoproprionitrile (beta-APN), at a dose of 5 mg/0.4 ml per 100 g of body weight for 40 days. Ligature-induced periodontitis was created by tying silk ligatures on the necks of mandibular molars. After 40 days, blood samples were obtained and the animals were decapitated. Radiographic observations, extraction tests, histologic evaluations were performed, and serum ALP activity and gingival tissue IL-1beta levels were measured. RESULTS: Significant alveolar bone resorption around the mandibular molar teeth (P<0.001); lower extraction force levels (P<0.001); higher numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages (P<0.01) (both in connective tissue and epithelium at the dentogingival junction); decreased ALP activity (P<0.001); and increased gingival tissue IL-1beta levels (P<0.001) were observed in groups 1 and 2, compared to those in group 3. ALP activity was higher in group 1 than in group 2 rats (P<0.05). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Similar radiographical and histopathological findings and comparable increases in gingival tissue IL-1beta levels both in groups 1 and 2 showed that in addition to resorption of alveolar bone, chronic inflammation of periodontium also occurred both in the lathyritic rats as well as in ligature-induced periodontitis group rats.

Knowledge and management of disabling conditions in South Asian histories: implications for leprosy futures.

Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem appears feasible in South Asia in the present decade through multi-drug therapy, but management of disability in cured leprosy patients will continue through the 21st century, probably with some ongoing stigma. This paper provides new perspectives on leprosy-related disabilities by reviewing the historical careers of four disabling conditions sharing some features with leprosy: lathyrism, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), cataract and poliomyelitis. All are targeted for eradication or serious reduction using affordable surgery or preventive measures, yet they have proved unexpectedly resilient. Technical solutions alone bring only partial success. There is a need also for community-based delivery methods, individual and family self-help, and some redeployment of professional expertise.

Posible asociación de algunas enfermedades neurológicas con el consumo excesivo de la yuca mal procesada y de otros vegetales neurotóxicos / Association of some neurologic disorders with excessive consumption of bad processed yucca and others neurotoxic vegetables

El análisis de la epidemiología, toxicología y fisiopatología de algunas polineuropatías periféricas sugiere que puede ser debido al consumo excesivo y al proceso inadecuado de la yuca y de otros vegetales neurotóxicos. El cultivo, proceso y consumo de la yuca y sus derivados deben ser controlados por las entidades de salud pública y de seguridad industrial. Algunos casos de paraparesia espástica tropical podrían estar asociados con el consumo y proceso de la yuca

Consideraçöes acerca da cicatrizaçäo e da biologia do reparo tecidual / Some considerations about wound repair and the biological characteristics of the wounds

Os autores analisam os mecanismos envolvidos na cicatrizaçäo e as possíveis complicaçöes decorrentes desteprocesso. Alguns novos aspectos biológicos envolvidos na cicatrizaçäo säo discutidos. Um destaque especial é dado aos mediadores bioquímicos do processo

Latirismo: comunicación de un caso clínico / Lathyrism: communication of a clinical case

Se presenta un caso de latirismo detectado en la octava región del país. Zona en la que aún se cultiva y se consume el Lathyrus sativus (chícharo). Se resumen algunos hitos históricos de la enfermedad, conocida desde la antigüedad y caracterizada por una paraparesia espástica. Se destaca el probable rol etiológico del aminoácido beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanina (B.O.A.A), como agente neurotóxico, presente en las especies de Lathyrus cuya ingestión produce la afección