Effects of a cyclic NSAID regimen on levels of gingival crevicular fluid prostaglandin E2and Interleukin-1ß: A 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for inflammation control and pain relief. However, while the adjunct use of NSAIDs is avoided for periodontal therapy because of related side effects, cyclic administration of NSAIDs may reduce or eliminate these effects. We evaluated the effect of a cyclic diclofenac potassium (DP) regimen on clinical parameters and levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of individuals with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee (2000/071). Forty-one individuals with chronic periodontitis (33 men, 8 women) were divided into two groups (test and control) after initial periodontal therapy. During this 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, test (n = 28) and control (n = 13) groups were administered a cyclic regimen of DP (50 mg, twice daily) or placebo. Clinical measurements and GCF sample collections were made at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months. GCF levels of PGE2and IL-1ß were determined using enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay kits, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant differences existed between groups for plaque indices, gingival indices, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), or attachment levels (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, cyclic regimen in the test group suppressed increased levels of PGE2found in GCF at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Significant differences for PD and relative attachment gain were also noted in favor of the test group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a cyclic regimen of DP may be efficacious in the management of chronic periodontitis in adults.

The relationship among vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin A, progesterone and oestradiol 17-beta concentrations in plasma and cyst fluid of Holstein cows with ovarian cyst.

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of the progesterone, oestradiol-17-beta, vitamin A, C and beta-carotene in plasma and cyst fluid and to relate these values with cystic diameter and membrane thickness of Holstein cattle with ovarian luteal cyst. 1650 Holstein cows were examined for the presence of the ovarian cyst and luteal and follicular cystic ovaries were obtained following slaughtering in personal slaughterhouse in Konya-Turkey. 15 Luteal and 15 follicular cystic ovaries were distinguished by rectal palpation and by post mortem ultrasonographic examination. Plasma and cyst fluid, hormone and vitamin analyses were carried out by EIA method and spectrophotometric measurement respectively. Although there was no relationship between beta-carotene and vitamin A in plasma and cyst fluid of both cyst type and hormone concentrations, the vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid was found significantly higher in luteal cyst than in follicular cyst. Moreover, there is a positive correlation among values of the vitamin C concentrations of cyst fluid and cystic membrane thickness, plasma and the cyst fluid progesterone concentrations, but there is a negative correlation among the vitamin C concentrations of cystic fluid and oestradiol 17beta levels of plasma and cyst fluid. In conclusion, vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid supported ultrasonographic and endocrinologic findings. Also, it can be postulated that vitamin C is probably effective on progesterone synthesis in the luteal tissue of cyst.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene levels in plasma, corpus luteum and follicular fluid of cyclic and pregnant cattle.

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between the corpus luteum (CL) weight, CL and follicle diameters and progesterone, beta-carotene and vitamin A levels in reproductive organs of cattle obtained from the slaughterhouse. The beta-carotene and vitamin A levels were determined in plasma, CL and follicular fluid (FF) using a spectrophotometric method at different stages of the oestrous cycle (n=40) and at 3-6 months of pregnancy (n=10). The diameters of the CL and follicle were measured using ultrasonography. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method. The vitamin A levels of the plasma, CL and FF were not related to each other. The highest plasma vitamin A levels were observed in the proestrus and oestrus, at which periods follicular activity dominates. The vitamin A levels in the CL and FF were negatively related to the weight and diameter of the CL and the diameter of follicle, respectively. In contrast to vitamin A, beta-carotene concentrations of plasma, CL and FF were significantly correlated with each other. The highest beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were found during pregnancy when there is maximal luteal function, and the beta-carotene level of the CL was significantly correlated with the weight and diameter of CL. Furthermore, the intrafollicular beta-carotene level was negatively correlated with the follicle diameter. There was a positive correlation between plasma progesterone level and the weight and diameter of the CL, but a negative correlation between plasma progesterone level and follicle diameter. Moreover, plasma, FF and CL beta-carotene levels were positively correlated with plasma progesterone levels. This study revealed that beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were influenced by the stage of the oestrous cycle or the pregnancy and were related to bovine luteal function without depending on vitamin A.

Interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in periapical exudates.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with clinical and radiological findings. METHODOLOGY: Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 35 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of clinical signs including swelling and/or fistula, pain on palpation and/or percussion, and pus discharge from canals. Periapical exudate samples were divided into two groups according to size of periapical radiolucent area. RESULTS: The mean concentration of IL-1beta (72.79 ng mL-1) in periapical exudates was approximately 12-fold higher than TNF-alpha(6.17 ng mL-1). There was no significant correlation between these cytokines (P > 0.05). IL-1beta levels in canals with larger radiolucent areas (long axis > or =1 cm) were significantly higher than those with small areas (P < 0.05). There was a tendency toward higher levels of IL-1beta in groups with clinical signs, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periapical exudate levels of both cytokines failed to reflect periapical disease state.

Effects on the clinical indices and gingival crevicular fluid enzyme activities of the cyclical regimen of low-dose doxycycline therapy for adult periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cyclic regimen of low dose doxycycline (20 mg) or placebo therapy following scaling and root planing on clinical parameters and crevicular fluid alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and elastase activities. Fifteen adults (13 males, 2 females) with moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were recruited for the study. The LDD-treated group (n = 8 subjects) self administered low dose doxycycline b.i.d. (20 mg, p.o.) from time (treatment) to 2 months and then no drug from 2 to 4 months and finally low-dose doxycycline b.i.d. from 4 to 6 months (i.e. "cyclical" regimen). The placebo-treated group (n = 7 subjects) was asked to take placebo capsules (containing inactive filler; i.e. starchflour) b.i.d. according to the same "cyclical" regimen. No differences were found between LDD- and placebo-treated groups regarding any of the clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid enzyme activities. The relative attachment gain was significantly improved in both groups. The "cyclical" regimen of low-dose doxycycline was not found to reduce alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and elastase activities in gingival crevicular fluid of the adult periodontitis patients over a 6-month time period.