Elevated expression of NLRP1 and IPAF are related to oral pemphigus vulgaris pathogenesis.

Oral pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare blistering disorder of the skin and mucous membranes in the mouth. Inflammasome serves as a molecular platform that mediates the autoactivation of caspase-1, which cleaves the pro-forms of IL-1ß and IL-18 to active forms. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of NOD-like receptor-related protein (NLRP)1, NLRP3, and IPAF in the PBMCs of PV patients to determine their effect in PV pathogenesis. This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. We studied mRNA levels of three types of inflammasomes including NLRP1, NLRP3, and IPAF in 43 oral PV patients and 40 healthy controls by real-time PCR technique. Results were analyzed by SPSS software package version 18. Here, we showed that the mRNA levels of NLRP1 and IPAF in patients with active PV remarkably increased compared to those in healthy controls. However, the mRNA level of NLRP3 in PBMC of PV patients was similar to that of the control group. We showed important and emerging relationship of NLRP1 and IPAF mRNAs with PV disease progression. We hypothesize that NLRP1 and IPAF with cytokine activity of IL-1ß are involved in the inflammation in PV patients.

Comparative evaluation of the effect of Er:YAG laser and low level laser irradiation combined with CPP-ACPF cream on treatment of enamel caries.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effectiveness of low power red and infrared lasers and that of Er:YAG laser, in association with CPP-ACPF cream, on remineralization of white spot lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty intact premolars were immersed in a demineralization solution for 10 weeks to induce caries like lesions and then were divided into five groups. In group 1, the teeth were covered with a CPP-ACPF cream for 3 minutes and then irradiated with a low power red laser (660 nm, 200 mW) for 1 minute through the cream. In group 2, the treatment was the same as that in group 1, but an infrared laser (810 nm, 200 mW) was employed. The specimens in group 3 were irradiated with an Er:YAG laser (100 mJ, 10 Hz) combined with CPP-ACPF. In group 4, the CPP-ACPF cream was applied for 4 minutes and group 5 was submitted to neither laser nor CPP-ACPF. The micro Vickers hardness was compared at 20, 60 and 100 µ from the enamel surface among the groups. RESULTS: The highest microhardness was observed in the low power red and Er:YAG laser groups and the lowest one belonged to the CPP-ACPF alone and control groups. However, no significant difference was found in microhardness of the experimental groups at any of the evaluation depths (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With the laser parameters used in this study, neither the combined application of Er:YAG laser with CPP-ACPF nor the combination of low power lasers with CPP-ACPF provided a significant increase in remineralization of enamel caries. Key words:Low level laser, Er:YAG, laser, enamel caries, CPP-ACP, microhardness, white spot lesion.

Clinical Evaluation of Etched Enamel Discoloration following Immediate and Delayed Exposure to Colored Agents.

Introduction. The aim was to evaluate etched enamel discoloration following immediate and delayed exposure to colored agents. Method & Material. 64 premolars were divided into four groups. Buccal surface of the teeth was divided into two halves and baseline color values were measured. One half was covered and the other half was etched and dried. In first and second groups, the patients did not eat any colored agents for the next 24 hours. Both halves were colorimetered after 48 hours and 1 month, respectively. In third and fourth groups, the process was similar, but the patients drank cola and avoid eating any other colored agents and the teeth were colorimetered after 48 hours and 1 month, respectively. Color change values (ΔE) of each half were calculated according to CIE lab system. Sign test was used to compare values of etched and unetched halves. P < 0.08 was set as significant. Results. A significant difference was observed in groups III and IV regarding comparison of ΔE of the etched and control enamel (P = 0.077). Conclusion. Exposure of etched enamel to colored agents in the first 24 hours after etching can affect its color which remains at least for one month.