Apigenin reduce lipoteichoic acid-induced inflammatory response in rat cardiomyoblast cells.

Infective endocarditis is caused by Streptococcus sanguinis present in dental plaque, which can induce inflammatory responses in the endocardium. The present study depicts research on the properties of apigenin in embryonic mouse heart cells (H9c2) treated with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) obtained from S. sanguinis. Interleukin-1ß and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In addition, western blot assays and immuno-fluorescence staining were used to assess translocation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), degradation of IκB, as well as activity of the mitogen activated protein kinases: extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Effect of apigenin on cell viability was equally assessed in other experimental series. Our results showed that apigenin blocked activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 in cardiomyocytes treated with LTA in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, apigenin showed no cytotoxic effects; it blocked NF-κB translocation and IκB degradation. Our findings suggested that apigenin possessed potential value in the treatment of infectious endocarditis.

Caries dental y microorganismos asociados a la caries en la saliva de los alumnos del primer año de la Facultad de Odontología, UNAM / Dental caries and caries-associated mechanisms found in the saliva of first year students at the School of Dentistry, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)

Se estudiaron 380 alumnos del primer año en la Facultad de Odontología (n = 380) (periodo 2012-2013) a fin de determinar el índice CPOD y relacionar si la caries está asociada con los microorganismos Streptococcus y Lactobacillus. El índice CPOD (cariado, perdido y obturado) se registró usando los parámetros de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se tomaron muestras de saliva de cada alumno y se determinaron las unidades formadoras de colonias de Streptococcus y Lactobacillus. La media de los índices CPOD fue de 7.25 ± 4.59. Las mujeres (n = 278) y hombres (n = 102) presentaron una media de índices CPOD de 7.11 ± 4.66 y 7.29 ± 4.57, respectivamente. Encontramos que los alumnos de 19 años presentaron menos caries que los estudiantes de otras edades. Tanto Streptococcus y Lactobacillus se correlacionaron significativamente entre sí, así como en la incidencia de caries. Un incremento en el número de estos microorganismos, especialmente de Streptococcus mutans, se asociaron con el incremento en CPOD.

Three hundred and eighty first year students of the National School of Dentistry (UNAM) (n = 380) (academic year 2012-2013), were assessed targeting determination of DMFT (decayed, missing, lost teeth) index as well as to establish a relationship of whether caries is associated to Lactobacillus and Streptococcus microorganisms. DMFT index was recorded using World Health Organization (WHO) parameters. Samples of all students were taken and colony-forming units of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus were determined. DMFT indexes mean was established at 7.25 ± 4.59. Females (n = 278) and males (n = 102) exhibited mean DMFT indexes of 7.11 ± 4.66 and 7.29 ± 4.57 respectively. Results revealed that 19 year old students exhibited lesser amounts of caries than students of other ages. Both Streptococcus and Lactobacillus were significantly correlated to each other as well as to caries incidence. Increase in the number of the aforementioned micro-organisms, especially Streptococcus mutans, were associated to DMFT increase.