Salivary concentrations of macrophage activation-related chemokines are influenced by non-surgical periodontal treatment: a 12-week follow-up study.

Background: During periodontal inflammation, bacteria induces chemokine expression and migration of various inflammatory cells. The aim of the study was to learn if periodontal treatment alters salivary concentrations of macrophage activation-related chemokines and if such alterations correlate with abundance of periodontitis-associated bacteria. Methods: Twenty-five patients with periodontitis completed the study (NCT02913248 at clinicaltrials.gov). Periodontal parameters and stimulated saliva samples were obtained at baseline and 2, 6 and 12 weeks after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Salivary concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCP-1-4), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α) and interferon-inducible protein (IP-10) were quantified using the Luminex® xMAP™ technique and abundance of bacteria was quantified using next-generation sequencing. Results: The treatment improved all periodontal parameters and caused an increase in the concentrations of MCP-2, MDC and MIP-1α at week 12 compared to baseline, week 2 and week 6, respectively. Salivary concentrations of MCP-1-2, MDC, MIG, MIP-1α and IP-10 correlated with the abundance of specific periodontitis-associated bacteria. Conclusions: Periodontal treatment impacts salivary concentrations of MCP-2, MDC and MIP-1α, which correlate with the abundance of specific periodontitis-associated bacteria. This indicates that these chemokines reflect periodontal status and possess potential in illustrating a response to treatment.

Binding and potential antibiofilm activities of Amaranthus proteins against Candida albicans.

In the present study evaluation of structural, thermal and antifungal properties of Amaranthus hypochondriacus laboratory protein isolate (ALMA) and commercially available Amaranthus protein dietary antidepressant (APGM) was done by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopy and antibiofilm activities against Candida albicans. The results exhibited thermal stability and antioxidant activity for the isolates. Fluorescence measurements showed that they bind to human serum albumin through a static quenching mechanism, decreasing its fluorescence intensity. FTIR spectra showed amides I, II and III shifts, but it does not modify the structural and bioactive properties against C. albicans despite of its infections which is difficult to treat due to virulence expression and biofilm formation that protects of therapeutic drugs. Both isolates had the potential to assuage two virulence factors such as biofilm formation and yeast to hyphal transition of C. albicans. The biofilm inhibitory concentration of the protein isolates was determined to 10 and 30 µg mL-1 with 50% inhibition, while morphogenic transition of the yeast leads to host tissue damage was significantly inhibited in spider medium and in vivo assay with zebrafish embryo. Inhibition of C. albicans biofilm by protein isolates was well compared with COMSTAT and XTT assay. The conformational changes in the proteins of investigated samples were determined by fluorescence after denaturation with 8 M urea and showed slight differences in comparison with the natural product. This is the first study to envisage the use of amaranth protein isolates to immunocompromised patients in their diet plan that can prevent C. albicans infections and help them in recovery. These isolates can be used as natural polymers in biomedical applications and edible films for health benefits.

In Vitro Screening of Bioactive Compounds in some Gluten-Free Plants.

Electrophoretic, antioxidant, and FTIR profiles of some varieties of amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat seeds and their by products were compared. Water extracts of these products were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteau method in order to determine total phenolic content. The antioxidant activities were determined by 2,2'-azobis-2-methyl-propanimidamide, ferric-reducing/antioxidant power, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity radical scavenging assays. FTIR spectra showed the secondary structure of pseudocereals in the ranges of amides I, II, and III shifts. Results of evaluated methods could be used to control several products (seeds, flours, extracts, flakes, roasting) with high phenolic content and antioxidant activity suitable for supplementation in food applications. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.