Carvedilol decrease IL-1ß and TNF-α, inhibits MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and RANKL expression, and up-regulates OPG in a rat model of periodontitis.

Periodontal diseases are initiated primarily by Gram-negative, tooth-associated microbial biofilms that elicit a host response that causes osseous and soft tissue destruction. Carvedilol is a ß-blocker used as a multifunctional neurohormonal antagonist that has been shown to act not only as an anti-oxidant but also as an anti-inflammatory drug. This study evaluated whether Carvedilol exerted a protective role against ligature-induced periodontitis in a rat model and defined how Carvedilol affected metalloproteinases and RANKL/RANK/OPG expression in the context of bone remodeling. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10/group): (1) non-ligated (NL), (2) ligature-only (LO), and (3) ligature plus Carvedilol (1, 5 or 10 mg/kg daily for 10 days). Periodontal tissue was analyzed for histopathlogy and using immunohistochemical analysis characterized the expression profiles of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and RANKL/RANK/OPG and determined the presence of IL-1ß, IL-10 and TNF-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA) and, glutathione (GSH). MPO activity in the group with periodontal disease was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). Rats treated with 10 mg/kg Carvedilol presented with significantly reduced MPO and MDA concentrations (p<0.05) in addition to presenting with reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 ß and TNF-α (p<0.05). IL-10 levels in Carvedilol-treated rats remained unaltered. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, RANK, RANKL, COX-2, and OPG in rats treated with 10 mg/kg Carvedilol. This study demonstrated that Carvedilol affected bone formation/destruction and anti-inflammatory activity in a rat model of periodontitis.

Olmesartan decreases IL-1ß and TNF-α levels; downregulates MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and RANKL; and upregulates OPG in experimental periodontitis.

The objective of this study is to investigate the participation of inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators and the effects on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway in the response to treatment with olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of ten rats each: (1) non-ligature with water, (2) ligature with water, (3) ligature with 1 mg/kg olmesartan, (4) ligature with 6 mg/kg olmesartan, and (5) ligature with 10 mg/kg olmesartan. All groups were treated with olmesartan or the vehicle by gavage daily for 10 days. Following the treatment course, the periodontal tissue of the animals was analyzed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), MMP-2, MMP-9, and members of the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway and by ELISA and spectroscopic assay to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA), and glutathione. The concentrations of MPO and MDA were reduced in the group that received 6 mg/kg olmesartan (p < 0.05). In addition, the group that was treated with 6 mg/kg olmesartan showed a decreased level of IL-1ß (p < 0.05), and all doses of olmesartan resulted in decreased levels of TNF-α. Furthermore, treatment with 6 mg/kg olmesartan led to downregulation of the expression of COX-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, RANKL, and RANK and to upregulation of the expression of OPG. These findings suggest that 6 mg/kg olmesartan reduces the inflammatory process and bone loss by downregulating MMPs and RANKL in osteoblasts and by upregulating OPG.

Quality of life and adverse effects of olanzapine versus risperidone therapy in patients with schizophrenia.

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the effects of treatment with an atypical antipsychotic drug (olanzapine or risperidone) on quality of life (QoL) and to document adverse effects in 115 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who attended the ambulatory service of Hospital Dr. João Machado, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Socioeconomic, sociodemographic, and clinical variables were compared. The QoL Scale validated for Brazil (QLS-BR) was used to evaluate QoL, and adverse effects were assessed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale. Data were analyzed using the χ(2) test and Student's t test, with a significance level of 5 %. Patients in both drug groups showed severe impairment in the occupational domain of the QLS-BR. Global QLS-BR scores indicated impairment among risperidone users and severe impairment among olanzapine users. The most significant side effects were associated with risperidone, including asthenia/lassitude/fatigue, somnolence/sedation, paresthesia, change in visual accommodation, increased salivation, diarrhea, orthostatic posture, palpitations/tachycardia, erythema, photosensitivity, weight loss, galactorrhea, decreased sexual desire, erectile/orgasmic dysfunction, vaginal dryness, headache, and physical dependence. QoL was impaired in patients using olanzapine and in those using risperidone. Risperidone use was associated with psychic, neurological, and autonomous adverse effects and other side effects.

Factors associated with long-term patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with patient satisfaction at least 5 years after orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 209 orthodontic patients were included in the study. All subjects were treated with upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances. Dental casts (n = 627) were examined using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index pretreatment (T1), at the end of treatment (T2) and at a long-term follow-up (mean, 8.5 years; T3). At T3, a Dental Impact on Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess the long-term effects of orthodontic treatment on daily living and satisfaction with the dentition. Multiple regression analyses were used to quantify associations between patient satisfaction and changes produced by the orthodontic treatment (PAR T2-T1), posttreatment stability (PAR T3), age at the start of treatment (T1), treatment duration (T2-T1), gender, and extraction. RESULTS: Orthodontic treatment produced a significant improvement of 94.2% in the PAR Index (T2-T1), but this change was not associated with the level of satisfaction when the patient was questioned at least 5 years after treatment. Regression analysis showed that satisfaction was significantly associated only with the long-term posttreatment PAR index (r(2) = 0.125, P < .0001). No significant association was observed with the severity of malocclusion at the beginning (PAR-T1) or end of the orthodontic treatment (PAR-T2), age at T1, the amount of time taken during orthodontic treatment, gender, or extraction. CONCLUSIONS: Over the long term, patient satisfaction is slightly associated with the stability of the orthodontic treatment regardless of the initial occlusal condition or the final result of the orthodontic treatment.

A construção do conhecimento na odontologia: a produção científica em debate

PURPOSE: Analyze, quantitatively, which odontology magazines are being consulted and read by surgeon-dentists, and evaluate the profiles of the mostly cited. METHODS: 370 polls were made, during the XVII Congresso Pernambucano de Odontologia (Pernambucan Congress of Odontology) and the IX Congresso de Odontologia do Rio Grande do Norte (Congress of Odontology of Rio Grande do Norte), which took place, respectively, in April and September 2004. The participants were volunteering professionals divided among General Practice (37.84%) and ten differing specialties (62.16%); of which 77,02% had up to ten years of graduation. RESULTS: Resulting the researches made, 620 quotes were generated, in which, 35 different magazines, national and international, were quoted. By analyzing the data collected, we observe that three magazines summed more than half of the quota (52.74%), which are: Revista da Associação Paulista de Cirurgiões Dentistas - APCP (Magazine of the Paulista Association of Surgeon-Dentists), Revista da Associação Brasileira de Odontologia - ABO national (Magazine of the Brazilian Association of Odontology) and the Revista Brasileira de Odontologia - RBO (Brazilian Magazine of Odontology). CONCLUSION: Despite the participants of the research being, in their majority, specialists, we observe a tendency of a greater consultation of the magazines of general characteristic. These magazines predominantly tackle clinical and technical subjects and present an expressive circulation, great penetration in the odontologic world, easy accessibility and a long time in the market (two of them are over 50 years-old). According to CAPES - QUALIS, all possess a B national concept. Therefore, it is necessary a deepening of this study, so as to analyze qualitatively what kind of subjects and themes these magazines touch, since they influence the odontologic formation and practice.

OBJETIVO: Analisar, quantitativamente, que revistas odontológicas estão sendo consultadas e lidas por cirurgiões-dentistas, e avaliar os perfis das mais citadas. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas 370 pesquisas de opinião, durante o XVII Congresso Pernambucano de Odontologia e o IX Congresso de Odontologia do Rio Grande do Norte, realizados, respectivamente, em abril e setembro de 2004. Os participantes eram profissionais voluntários divididos entre a clínica geral (37,84%) e dez especialidades distintas (62,16%); onde 77,02% possuíam até 10 anos de formados. RESULTADOS: Proveniente das pesquisas realizadas, 620 citações foram geradas; nas quais, 32 revistas diferentes, nacionais e internacionais, foram citadas. Analisando os dados coletados, observamos que três revistas totalizaram mais da metade das citações (52,74%), quais sejam: Revista da Associação Paulista de Cirurgiões-Dentistas - APCD, Revista da Associação Brasileira de Odontologia - ABO nacional e a Revista Brasileira de Odontologia - RBO. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar dos participantes da pesquisa serem, na maioria, especialistas, observamos uma tendência de maiores consultas às revistas de caráter geral. Essas revistas abordam predominantemente assuntos clínicos e técnicos e apresentam tiragem expressiva, grande penetração no meio odontológico, fácil acessibilidade e muito tempo de mercado (duas delas com mais de 50 anos). Pela avaliação da CAPES - QUALIS, todas possuem conceito B nacional. Dessa forma, faz-se necessário um aprofundamento desse estudo, a fim de analisarmos qualitativamente que tipo de assuntos e temáticas essas revistas abordam, uma vez que influenciam na formação e prática odontológica.