The effect of ellagic acid on the repair process of periodontal defects related to experimental periodontitis in rats

Abstract Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) by measuring the levels of alveolar bone resorption and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the periodontal tissues and serum on the periodontal repair process related to experimental periodontitis in rats. Methodology Forty Wistar rats were divided into four study groups as follows: Group 1=healthy control (n=10); Group 2=EA control (15 mg/kg)(n=10); Group 3=periodontitis (n=10); Group 4=periodontitis+EA (15 mg/kg) (n=10). The periodontitis model was established by ligating bilateral mandibular first molars for 14 days. Then, rats were given normal saline or EA for another 14 days by gavage administration. Serum and gingiva myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine(8-OHdG), and glutathione (GSH) levels were analyzed by ELISA. İmmunohistochemical analysis was used to detect Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) immunoreactivities in the periodontal tissues. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) and attachment loss (AL) was evaluated by histomorphometry analysis. Results ABL and AL were statistically higher in group 3 than in groups 1, 2 and 4 and in group 4 than in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). MPO activities in gingival tissue and serum were significantly increased in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). Significantly higher serum GSH levels, lower gingiva, and serum 8-OHdG levels, and MPO activity were observed in group 4 compared to group 3 (p<0.05). Rats with periodontitis (group 3) expressed significantly higher immunoreactivities of IL-6 and TNF-α and lower IL-10 immunoreactivity compared to those other groups (p<0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α immunoreactivities significantly decreased and IL-10 immunoreactivity increased in group 4 after the use of EA compared to group 3 (p<0.001). Conclusions Our findings showed that EA provides significant improvements on gingival oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and alveolar bone resorption in the repair process associated with experimental periodontitis. Therefore, EA may have a therapeutic potential on periodontitis.

Impact of Three Different Education Methods on Oral Hygiene and Theoretical Knowledge of Schoolchildren

Objective: To evaluate the impact of three different education methods on the oral hygiene levels of school children using clinical and theoretical findings. Material and Methods: 144 children (72 males and 72 females), whose ages ranged between 8-13, were divided into 12 equal experimental groups according to their ages and gender. They were all considered to have poor hygiene. Only one out of the three different education methods (brochure, model or video) was applied to each group. The percentage change in PI, GI, BOP and theoretical test points from the baseline to the 6th months were evaluated. The data was statistically analysed by using Kolmogorov- Smirnov and One-way ANOVA tests. Results: Reduction in PI, GI and BOP scores was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the video applied groups compared to the brochure groups in the age of 8-10 groups for both genders and in 11-13-year-old males. In 11- 13-year-old females, all methods showed similar results (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in test points in 8-10 and 11-13-year-old female groups (p>0.05), whereas a significant increase in test points was observed in the video and model applied groups compared to the brochure groups in 8-10 and 11-13-year-old male groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It may be more helpful and effective for children to get the oral hygiene education using the visual methods, especially for those under the age of ten.