Assessment of Cytokine Release against Oral Mucosal Cell Line Culture (TR146) Stimulated by Neutrophil Elastase Associated with Behcet's Disease.

AIM: Cytokines and chemokines may be involved in the onset of oral ulcer in Behcet's disease. The aim of our study is to assess the cytotoxic effects of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines on reconstructed oral mucosal cell line (TR146) when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase (NE). OBJECTIVE: For this purpose, a culture of the oral mucosal model (OMM) prepared from a cell line derived from an oral squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa (TR146) is treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase. The cultures were incubated for 4- and 24-hour intervals and designed as follows: culture + artificial saliva served as the negative control; culture + 0.01% SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) served as the positive control; and culture + NE (10, 50, 100, and 200 nM) served as the treated group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used sandwich ELISA technique to isolate IL-1ß (interleukin 1ß), IL-8, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor). RESULTS: We found no significant level of IL-8 and TNF-α when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase after 4- and 24-hour incubation. The IL-1ß level was slightly higher when treated with 100 and 200 nM NE after 24 hours of incubation although a significantly high level was observed at 100 nM NE after 4 hours of incubation. Hence, we found an increase in the level of IL-1ß when stimulating the reconstructed oral mucosal model (OMM) with different concentrations of NE. This is a preliminary in vitro study; however, further research is required to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of cytokines and chemokines released when treated with NE. Moreover, high concentrations of NE are recommended to stimulate the release of cytokines and chemokines against the OMM.

Efficacy of lycopene on modulation of renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE and ACE gene expression in hyperlipidaemic rats.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lycopene on renal tissue antioxidant enzymes and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression and serum activity in diet-induced hyperlipidaemia. METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats (200-250 g weight), 5-6 months of age, were randomly selected and divided into four groups. Group I received normal diet; group II received 24 g high fat diet/100 g of daily diet; group III received 24 g high fat diet/100 g daily diet and 200 ml of lycopene extract (twice a week) for 8 weeks; and group IV received 200 ml oral lycopene extract twice a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: A marked increase was observed in plasma urea and creatinine levels, serum C-reactive protein, kidney weight, tissue renal malonyldialdehyde level, ACE gene expression and serum level, while a decrease catalase level among hyperlipidaemic rats was observed. Histologically, interstitial inflammation and proliferation was seen. Lycopene supplementation significantly decreased plasma urea and creatinine, serum ACE, renal tissue malonyldialdehyde level and C-reactive protein level, while it increased tissue antioxidant enzymes level and total protein. Tissue inflammation and proliferation was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that supplementation of lycopene is effective for renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE gene expression and ACE serum level in hyperlipidaemic rats.

Spectrophotometric assessment of different surface coating materials on conventional glass ionomer cement.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyse the absorbance of dye material in conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) by applying various commercially available surface protecting layers on GIC. 90 disc-shaped specimens were made using brass mold measuring 7mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness. 30 specimens were selected for each week testing having 6 groups (n=5). The groups were: G1 (Control group), G2 (Nail polish coated GIC), G3 (Master bond coated GIC), G4 (Copal varnish coated GIC), G5 (Varnal coated GIC), G6 (Cold mold seal coated GIC). The specimens of each group were immersed in a separate test tube filled with methylene blue dye, and placed in an incubator (37°C±2°C) for 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks' time. After required time period, the specimens were rinsed under distal water for 1 minute and air dried for 1 hour. Next, the specimens of each group were put into new test tubes containing 1ml absolute alcohol and again stored at (37°C±2°C) for 24 hours. Absorbance were recorded in ultravoilet spectrophotometer. Results were analysed by Student t-test and Pearson's correlation. The results suggest that varnal and copal varnish are effective protecting materials with significant difference (P<0.01) after 3 weeks time. Our results conclude that the application of suitable protecting material may lead to longevity of GIC restorative biomaterial in a complexed oral environment.

Role of electrolytes disturbances and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in cisplatin - induced renal toxicity and effects of ethanolic extract of Cichorium intybus.

Cisplatin is known by its toxicity by disturbing electrolytes homeostasis. Thus we aimed to find out the role of herbal plant Cichorium intybus on Cisplatin - induced toxicity. 24 male Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I is termed as untreated control; Group II is Cisplatin control and received 3 mg/ kg b.w.; i.p.; Group III received C. intybus ethanolic extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. orally for 10 consecutive days and Group IV is Cisplatin + C. intybus pretreated group. C. intybus is given 30 minutes prior to Cisplatin. Cisplatin - induced electrolytes disturbances is indicated by increase Intra - erythrocyte sodium content, decreased plasma magnesium, calcium and Intra-erythrocyte Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase which implicates the renal toxicity. At a dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. of C. Intybus pretreatment showed partial counter action on the electrolytes imbalances and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity.

Sodium selenite attenuated cisplatin-induced toxicity in rats: role of electrolytes homeostasis.

Sodium selenite (1 mg/kg body weight, ip) for 10 consecutive days treatment showed marked increase in intra-erythrocytes K+ and plasma Na+ level while slight increase in Na+ K+ ATPase level. No mortality was observed at this dose of sodium selenite. However, sodium selenite pretreatment partially restored the Na+ K+ ATPase and intra-erythorcytes and plasma sodium level, while completely restored the intra-erythrocytes K+ and plasma Mg2+ level. No change was observed in plasma Ca2+ level. Thus sodium selenite successively attenuated the Cisplatin-induced electrolytes alterations and toxicity by exerting the stress response of sodium.