Effect of sodium fluoride on the morphological picture of the rat liver exposed to NaF in drinking water.

PURPOSE: Due to its efficacy in caries prophylaxis and easy application, sodium fluoride (NaF) is still used for caries prevention in the form of fluoridated drinking water, fluoride tablets, fluoridated salt or milk. Effect of fluorides on various metabolic levels in hard and soft tissues, namely respiration as well as carbohydrate, protein, enzymatic and vascular metabolism, can disturb detoxication of fluorine compounds administered orally. The study objective was morphological examination of the liver of young and mature rats exposed to NaF in drinking water from conception till maturity, as well as after its withdrawal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the initial stage of the experiment, 30 female Wistar rats, 180-200 g body weight, were divided into 3 groups: one control and two experimental groups (I, II). Female rats in the experimental groups received fluorine in aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride (NaF) at a concentration of 10.6 mg NaF/dm3 (group I) and 32.0 mg NaF/dm3 (group II). RESULTS: The pathomorphological changes observed in the liver, particularly of young rats exposed,to fluorides at superoptimal doses can help determine to what degree oral fluoride caries prevention is safe and whether it should be implemented. The transitory nature of pathomorphological changes in hepatocytes indicates adaptive potentials or defence mechanisms against orally administered sodium fluoride.

Effect of chlorhexidine mouthrinse on cathepsin C activity in human saliva.

UNLABELLED: Chlorhexidine is an active agent commonly used against dental plaque in the mouth apart from fluorides applied to prevent caries. It is contained in toothpastes and mouthrinses. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine digluconate on the activity of cathepsin C in human saliva. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material for analyses contained mixed saliva samples collected at rest, directly into test tubes (Z PS type, Medlab) at least 2 hours after meal from 40 subjects (dentistry students; 30 women and 10 men), aged 19-24. Saliva was collected before the preparations were applied after rinsing the mouth with distilled water and following a single use of the preparations according to the producer's instructions, 8 samples for each preparation. RESULTS: The decrease of cathepsin C was observed for each preparation, but was the greatest after mouth rinsing with Kin Gingival (65.08%) and Corsodyl (58.00%). CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms this assumption by finding a decrease in cathepsin C activity after the use of chlorhexidine mouth rinses.

Assessment of dentition status and oral hygiene in first year dental students, Medical University of Bialystok.

PURPOSE: Caries, a social ailment, is one of the diseases of civilization of the 20th century. In Poland, the incidence rate of caries is very high both in the young and adults. The major etiological factors of caries are: improper oral hygiene, diet based on carbohydrate-rich and highly processed food products, neglect of prophylaxis and dental check-up. The aim of the study was to assess dental status and oral hygiene of the first year dental students, Medical University of Bialystok, through the analysis of the chosen caries and dental plaque indices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 70 first year dentistry students, including 50 women and 20 men, aged 19-23 years. Dentition status and oral hygiene were assessed using basic dental instruments, in artificial light, in clinical settings of the Department of Social Dentistry and Prophylaxis, Medical University of Bialystok. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The record analysis showed a very high caries frequency index and a low treatment index. However, proper oral hygiene was observed, which may indicate greater health-promoting awareness among future dentists. Poor dentition status found in the study group of dental students may be due to neglect of oral hygiene, prophylaxis and lack of systematic dental control in the earlier age periods.

Effect of fluoride preparations on the activity of human salivary cathepsin C.

Preparations containing organic and inorganic fluorine compounds are used for oral hygiene. Fluoride ions contained in these preparations display high bioactivity and can alter the environment of the mouth. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of preparations containing aminofluorides, commonly used in oral hygiene, on the activity of salivary cathepsin C (EC 3.4.14.1). The research material included mixed saliva, collected at rest before and after the application of the following preparations: Elmex gelee, Elmex red fluid, Elmex green fluid, Fluormex rinse. The salivary pH, concentration of fluoride ions and activity of cathepsin C were determined. Fluoride preparations inhibit the activity of cathepsin C and cause changes in human salivary pH. Saliva can serve as a diagnostic material in the examination of the environmental exposure to fluorides.

Ultrastructural study of the mitochondria in the submandibular gland, the pancreas and the liver of young rats, exposed to NaF in drinking water.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effect of fluoride on ultrastructural changes in the submandibular gland, the pancreas and the liver. The experimental rats received fluoride in aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride at concentrations of 10.6 NaF/dm3 and 32.0 NaF/dm3. In the ultrastructural examination, mitochondria were most damaged.