Identification of AgNORs and cytopathological changes in oral lichen planus lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cytopathological changes in epithelial cells of the oral mucosa of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) compared with patients without OLP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Swabs were collected from the oral mucosa of 20 patients with OLP (case group) and 20 patients without OLP (control group) using liquid-based cytology. After Papanicolaou staining, the smears were characterized based on Papanicolaou classification and degree of maturation. Nuclear area (NA) measurements, cytoplasmic area (CA) measurements, and the NA/CA ratio were determined from 50 epithelial cells per slide. For quantification of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs), the smears were stained with silver nitrate, and the number of AgNORs was counted in 100 cells. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a predominance of Papanicolaou Class I nucleated cells in the superficial layer. The average values of NA (p>0.05) and CA (p=0.000) were greater in the case group (NA=521.6, CA=22,750.3) compared with the control group (NA=518.9, CA=18,348.0). The NA/CA ratio was 0.025 for the case group and 0.031 for the control group (p=0.004). There was no significant difference between the mean AgNORs values of both groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The oral mucosa of patients with OLP exhibited significant cytomorphometric changes. However, there was no evidence of malignancy.

MMP-1 and MMP-8 expression in giant-cell fibroma and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia.

The aim of this study is to compare the immunoexpression of metalloproteinases 1 and 8 in giant-cell fibroma, inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia and normal mucosa. Twenty-two cases of giant-cell fibroma, inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia and oral mucosa (control) each were subjected to immunohistochemistry using anti-metalloproteinase-1 and anti-metalloproteinase-8 antibodies. Eight images of each case were captured and analysed through the a) application of a count grid to count the number of positive neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, fibroblasts and blood vessels to obtain the percentage of staining and b) semi-automated segmentation quantifying the stained area in square micrometres. Statistical tests included ANOVA Two-way, Kruskal Wallis and Games-Howell, with a significance level of 5%. An increased percentage of metalloproteinase-1-immunopositive blood vessels were observed in giant-cell fibroma (26.6±22.4; p=0.02) and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (34.3±31.5; p=0.01) compared with the control group (19.6±9.2). No significant differences in inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and total area of metalloproteinase-1 and -8 were noted among the three groups. Metalloproteinase-1 apparently acts within the pathogenesis of giant-cell fibroma and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia.

Effect of the Chronic Use of Lithium Carbonate on Induced Tooth Movement in Wistar Rats.

Patients who seek dental treatment may have bipolar disorder, and lithium carbonate (LC) is the drug of choice used in the treatment of this disorder. Taking into consideration the controversial results found in the literature, and the possible influence of LC on induced tooth movement, the objective was to evaluate tooth movement induced in rats after administration of lithium carbonate. One hundred and ninety-two rats were divided into 3 groups. In the L group, the animals received daily 60mg/kg of LC, they were not subjected to orthodontic movement, and they were euthanized after 33, 37, 44 or 51 days. In the LM group, the LC was administered for 30 days and during the subsequent 3, 7, 14 and 21 days, corresponding to the period of induced tooth movement, and they received a spring that produced a 30cN force. In the SM group, saline solution was applied. Measurements were made of tooth displacement, the numbers of osteoclasts and serum lithium phosphate (PO4), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine levels. The tooth displacement was lower in the LM group compared to the SM group at 44 days. A tendency toward reduction in the number of osteoclasts was observed in the LM group compared to the SM group at 44 days. The average lithium were higher in the L and LM groups compared to the SM group. The opposite was observed for the PO4 group. A higher value for the ALP was found in the L group. The average creatinine level was lower in the LM group. LC inhibited tooth movement for 14 days, possibly due to the reduction in the number of osteoclasts.

Histochemical analysis of collagen fibers in giant cell fibroma and inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate collagen fibers in giant cell fibroma, inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia, and oral normal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six cases were stained with picrosirius red. The slides were observed under polarization, followed by the measurement of the area and the percentage of the type I and type III collagens. The age and gender were obtained from the clinical records. RESULTS: No differences could be observed in both the area and percentage of the type I and type III collagens within the categories of lesions and normal mucosa. In the giant cells fibroma, a greater area and percentage of type I collagen could be identified in individuals of less than 41.5 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The distribution of type I and type III collagen fibers in the studied lesions followed a similar pattern to that observed in the normal mucosa, indicating a normal collagen maturation process of type III to I. The study supports that multinucleated and stellate cells of the giant cell fibroma appear to be functional within collagen types III and I turnover. The greater amount of type I collagen identified in giant cell fibroma in individuals of less than 41.5 years reinforce the neoplastic nature of lesion.

Arnica montana does not affect mast cell populations in experimentally induced oral ulcers in rats / Arnica montana não afeta populações de mastócitos em úlceras orais induzidas experimentalmente em ratos

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Arnica montana shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Arnica montana on mast cells during the wound healing of oral ulcers. METHOD: An ulcerated lesion was chemically induced on the tongue of 75 male albino rats and, then, treated topically for seven days using saline solution (control), Arnica montana gel or tincture. The animals were killed after 2nd, 7th, 14th, 21th and 42th day of treatment. The tongues were removed and subjected to routine laboratory (0.2% toluidine blue staining). The numbers of mast cell were determined in two regions: superficial and submucosa. RESULTS: The numbers of mast cells were significantly increased for all groups in the region of the deeper tissue when compared to the superficial region. No statistical difference was observed in mast cell numbers for each group. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that Arnica montana tincture and gel were unable to change mast cell population during wound healing of oral ulcer of rats. According to these results, the anti-inflammatory effects of Arnica montana were not related to inhibition of mast cell degranulation.

OBJETIVO: Sabe-se que a Arnica montana mostra atividade anti-inflamatória e anti-oxidante e tem sido usada em medicina tradicional para o tratamento de vários distúrbios. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito da Arnica montana em mastócitos durante a cicatrização de feridas de úlceras orais. MÉTODO: Uma úlcera foi quimicamente induzida na língua de 75 ratos albinos machos e, em seguida, tratada topicamente durante sete dias, utilizando solução salina (controle), gel ou tintura de Arnica montana. Os animais foram sacrificados após 2, 7, 14, 21 e 42º dia de tratamento. As línguas foram removidas e submetidas a rotina de laboratório (coloração com 0,2% de azul de toluidina). A densidade de mastócitos foi determinada em duas regiões: superficial e submucosa. RESULTADOS: O número de mastócitos aumentou nitidamente para todos os grupos na região mais profunda do tecido peri-ulceroso, quando comparada à região superficial. Nenhuma diferença estatística foi observada no número de mastócitos entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo revelou que a tintura ou o gel de Arnica montana foram incapazes de interferir na população de mastócitos durante a cicatrização da úlcera oral de ratos. De acordo com estes resultados, os efeitos anti-inflamatórios de Arnica montana não foram relacionados à inibição da degranulação dos mastócitos.

Orthodontic intervention combined with myofunctional therapy increases electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in patients with skeletal unilateral posterior crossbite.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic activity of both the temporalis and masseter muscles and the mastication type of patients with skeletal unilateral posterior crossbite before and after orthodontic treatment and speech therapy. METHODS: A total of 14 patients with skeletal unilateral posterior crossbite (eight females and six males), between 6-13 years of age, underwent electromyographic evaluation of their masseter and temporalis muscles in mandibular rest, habitual mastication and isometry. The subjects were assessed with regard to mastication type before and after orthodontic treatment and speech therapy. The data obtained during mandibular rest and habitual mastication were normalized in terms of the mean values of isometry. The Student's t-test was used for paired samples to compare the mean values of electromyographic activity (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The masseters during habitual mastication presented higher electromyographic activity after both treatments (p = 0.0458). There was no significant difference between the contralateral masseters in terms of mandibular rest or habitual mastication before or after either treatment (p > 0.05). During habitual mastication, after the treatments, the temporalis muscle on the malocclusion side showed higher electromyographic activity than the contralateral side (p = 0.0263). Prior to therapy, all of the patients exhibited chronic unilateral mastication (n = 14) and 13 patients exhibited bilateral mastication after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic intervention combined with myofunctional therapy in patients with skeletal unilateral posterior crossbite provided an increase in the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles during mandibular rest and habitual mastication, with predominantly bilateral mastication.

Bixin action in the healing process of rats mouth wounds.

Oral lesions that manifest as ulcer lesions are quite common and can cause discomfort to the patient. Searching for drugs to accelerate the healing of these lesions is nonstop process. Bixin is a molecule found in annatto (urucum) seeds and is considered a viable therapeutic option to treat such lesions due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and healing properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the bixin solution in the ulcer healing process in the oral mucosa of rats. Ulcers were induced with punches of 0.5 cm in the middle of the dorsum of the tongue of 64 Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 8 groups, in which 4 groups were treated with saline solution, while the other 4 were treated with the bixin solution. The animals were sacrificed in the periods 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after the beginning of the treatment. The species were histologically processed and stained with hematoxylin/eosin and picrosirius. Fibroblasts, reepithelialization, and wound contraction could be observed, as could the quantification of neutrophils, macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and mature and immature collagen. On the seventh day, the experimental group, when compared to the control group, presented a higher proliferation of fibroblasts, more advanced reepithelialization, and a higher contraction in the wounds. A reduction in the average number of neutrophils in the experimental group, when compared to the control group, could be observed in all periods (p=0.000). Up to two days, the total collagen area was higher (p=0.044) in the experimental group (4139.60±3047.51t han in the control group (1564.81±918.47). The deposition of mature collagen, on the 14(th) day, was higher (p=0.048) in the experimental group (5802.40±3578.18) than in the control group (1737.26±1439.97). The results found in the present study indicate that the bixin solution inhibits the acute inflammatory response with a minor average number of neutrophils and accelerates reepithelialization, wound contraction and collagen maturation, thus illustrating that this solution does in fact represent an important adjuvant in the treatment of ulcers.

Effect of Growth Hormone in Experimental Tooth Movement

The aim of this study was to evaluate, by histological analysis, the effect of growth hormone (GH) on periodontal ligament and alveolar bone during experimental tooth movement in rats. Eighty male Wistar rats divided into control (C) and experimental (E) groups were examined after 3, 7, 14 and 21 days under controlled climate conditions. Orthodontic force (30 cN) was applied on the maxillary first molar by an orthodontic appliance. Group E received 0.1 IU/kg/day of GH and Group C received 0.5 mL/kg/day of saline. The samples were processed and evaluated under optical microscopy and polarized light microscopy. The Kruskal Wallis test was applied to compare the intergroup variables at 5% significance level. Group E presented a larger number of osteoclasts on the 3rd and 7th days and Howship lacunae on the 3 rd day, a smaller number of blood vessels and greater amount of mature collagen on the 3 rd and 7 th days than Group C (p<0.05). It was concluded that GH accelerated and intensified bone resorption and produced delay in immature collagen formation during experimental tooth movement.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar histologicamente o efeito do hormônio de crescimento (HC) no ligamento periodontal e osso alveolar, durante a movimentação dentária induzida em ratos. Oitenta ratos Wistar, machos, divididos nos grupos controle e experimental, foram observados nos dias 3, 7, 14 e 21. Foi aplicada força ortodôntica (30 cN) sobre o primeiro molar superior por meio de um dispositivo ortodôntico. No grupo experimental foi administrada 0,1 UI/kg/dia de HC e, no grupo controle, 0,5 mL/kg/dia de solução salina. As amostras foram processadas e avaliadas por microscopia de luz e luz polarizada. O teste de Kruskal Wallis foi utilizado para a comparação das variáveis intergrupos. Verificou-se que o grupo experimental apresentou maior quantidade de osteoclastos nos 3° e 7° dias e de lacunas de Howship no 3° dia, menor quantidade de vasos sanguíneos e maior quantidade de colágeno maduro nos 3° e 7° dias do que no grupo controle (p<0,05). Concluiu-se que o HC acelerou e intensificou a reabsorção óssea e produziu atraso na formação de colágeno imaturo, durante o movimento ortodôntico induzido.

Anaerobic enhancement of protease secretion by periodontal Candida albicans strains / Aumento anaeróbio da secreção de protease pelas cepas de Candida albicans periodontal

Among other non-bacterial organisms, yeasts have been isolated from subgingival sites with relative frequency. Candida albicans is the species most commonly isolated although its role in periodontal disease has not been established. Objective: This study evaluated the secretion patterns of aspartyl-protease (Sap) by periodontal and nonperiodontal Candida albicans strains in normoxic and anoxic conditions. Material and methods: Periodontal strains (n=10; periodontal pockets ≥3.00 mm) and nonperiodontal Candida albicans strains (n=10) were grown under normoxic and anoxic conditions in protease-inducible broth. Sap activities were quantified in supernatants using azocasein as substrate. Whole-protein contents in supernatants were determined by Bradford’s method. Specific protease activities (Sap activity.protein-1) were assessed and compared. Results: While nonperiodontal strains secrete similar amounts of Sap under both atmospheric conditions, periodontal strains secrete reduced amounts in the presence of molecular oxygen. Conclusion: Despite the limited number of assayed isolates, the possibilities of adaptation or selection of candidal strains to periodontal microenvironment may be considered...

Entre organismos não bacterianos, as leveduras têm sido isoladas de sítios subgengivais com relativa frequência. Candida albicans é a espécie mais comumente isolada, embora seu papel na doença periodontal não esteja estabelecido. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou os padrões de secreção de aspartil-protease (Sap) por cepas periodontais e não periodontais de Candida albicans em situações de normóxia e anóxia. Material e métodos: Cepas periodontais (n=10; bolsas periodontais ≥3,00 milímetros) e cepas de não periodontais (n=10) Candida albicans foram cultivadas sob condições normóxicas e anóxicas em caldo de protease-induzida. A atividade Sap foi quantificada em sobrenadantes utilizando azocaseína como substrato. O conteúdo de proteínas totais nos sobrenadantes foi determinado pelo método de Bradford. Atividades de protease específica (atividade de proteína Sap-1) foram avaliadas e comparadas. Resultados: Apesar das cepas não periodontais secre¬tarem quantidades semelhantes de Sap em ambas as condições atmosféricas, as cepas periodontais secretam quantidades reduzidas na presença de oxigênio molecular. Conclusão: Apesar do número limitado de amostras analisadas, as possibilidades de adaptação ou seleção de cepas de Candida no microambiente periodontal pode ser considerada...

Virulence modulation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms by metal ions released from orthodontic appliances.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of metal ions commonly shed from orthodontic appliances on the virulence of Streptococcus mutans ATCC®25175™ biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biofilms were grown in the presence of Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), Co(2+), and a metal ion pool at concentrations similar to those released in saliva of orthodontic patients for 72 hours. Once mature, biofilms were treated for up to 12 hours with 5% glucose. RESULTS: Ions interfered with the growth of S mutans by reducing its biomass (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), raising its rates of sugar metabolism (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), and raising its secretion of lactate (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), pool). CONCLUSION: The laboratory data presented here point to the possibility of virulence increase of S mutans by metal ions commonly released during orthodontic therapy.

Nucleolar organizer regions of oral epithelial cells in crack cocaine users.

BACKGROUND: The health risks of crack cocaine smoking on the oral mucosa has not been widely researched and documented. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the proliferative activity of oral epithelial cells exposed to crack cocaine smoke using silver nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining. METHODS: Oral smears were collected from clinically normal-appearing buccal mucosa by liquid-based exfoliative cytology of 60 individuals (30 crack cocaine users and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender) and analyzed for cytomorphologic and cytomorphometric techniques. RESULTS: Crack cocaine users consumed about 13.3 heat-stable rocks per day and the time consumption of the drug was of 5.2 (± 3.3) years. Mean values of AgNOR counting for case and control groups were 5.18 ± 1.83 and 3.38 ± 1.02 (P<0.05), respectively. AgNOR area and percentage of AgNOR-occupied nuclear area were increased in comparison with the control (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of the nuclear area between the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that crack cocaine smoke increases the rate of cellular proliferation in cells of normal buccal mucosa.

Effect of growth hormone in experimental tooth movement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, by histological analysis, the effect of growth hormone (GH) on periodontal ligament and alveolar bone during experimental tooth movement in rats. Eighty male Wistar rats divided into control (C) and experimental (E) groups were examined after 3, 7, 14 and 21 days under controlled climate conditions. Orthodontic force (30 cN) was applied on the maxillary first molar by an orthodontic appliance. Group E received 0.1 IU/kg/day of GH and Group C received 0.5 mL/kg/day of saline. The samples were processed and evaluated under optical microscopy and polarized light microscopy. The Kruskal Wallis test was applied to compare the intergroup variables at 5% significance level. Group E presented a larger number of osteoclasts on the 3rd and 7th days and Howship lacunae on the 3 rd day, a smaller number of blood vessels and greater amount of mature collagen on the 3 rd and 7 th days than Group C (p<0.05). It was concluded that GH accelerated and intensified bone resorption and produced delay in immature collagen formation during experimental tooth movement.

The action of corticosteroids on orthodontic tooth movement: a literature review

INTRODUCTION: Tooth movement is initially characterized by an acute sterile inflammation, followed by sequential multiple reactions in the periodontal ligament in response to biomechanical forces. Pharmacological agents such as corticosteroids may affect the course of orthodontic movement. Scientific studies show antagonistic actions of these drugs on bone resorption during tooth movement. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the effect of corticosteroids on orthodontic tooth movement. CONCLUSION: Patients should be questioned regarding the use of these drugs in the orthodontic practice and for those who use them, the orthodontic treatment should be differentiated, with longer intervals between visits and periodic X-rays due to the delay in bone formation observed in some scientific studies.

INTRODUÇÃO: a movimentação dentária é caracterizada, inicialmente, por uma inflamação aguda estéril, seguida por reações múltiplas sequenciais no ligamento periodontal em resposta às forças biomecânicas. Agentes farmacológicos, como os corticosteroides, podem alterar o curso da movimentação ortodôntica. Os estudos científicos demonstram ações antagonistas dessas drogas sobre a reabsorção óssea durante a movimentação dentária. OBJETIVO: realizar revisão de literatura sobre a ação dos corticosteroides no movimento dentário ortodôntico. CONCLUSÃO: os pacientes devem ser questionados quanto ao uso dessas drogas na clínica ortodôntica e, para aqueles que fazem uso, o tratamento ortodôntico deve ser diferenciado, com intervalos maiores entre as consultas e solicitação periódica de radiografias devido ao atraso na neoformação óssea observado em alguns estudos científicos.

The effects of antidepressants and pilocarpine on rat parotid glands: an immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of antidepressants and pilocarpine on the quantity of myoepithelial cells and on the proliferation index of the epithelial cells of rat parotid glands. INTRODUCTION: Hyposalivation, xerostomia, and alterations in saliva composition are important clinical side effects related to the use of antidepressants. METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats were allocated to nine groups. The control groups received saline for 30 (group C30) or 60 days (group C60) or pilocarpine for 60 days (group Pilo). The experimental groups were administered fluoxetine (group F30) or venlafaxine for 30 days (group V30); fluoxetine (group FS60) or venlafaxine (group VS60) with saline for 60 days; or fluoxetine (group FP60) or venlafaxine (group VP60) with pilocarpine for 60 days. Parotid gland specimens were processed, and the immunohistochemical expression of calponin and proliferating cell nuclear anti-antigen on the myoepithelial and parenchymal cells, respectively, was evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey HSD and Games-Howell tests were applied to detect differences among groups (p<0.05). RESULTS: Compared with the controls, chronic exposure to antidepressants was associated with an increase in the number of positively stained cells for calponin. In addition, venlafaxine administration for 30 days was associated with an increase in the number of positively stained cells for proliferating cell nuclear anti-antigen. Fluoxetine and pilocarpine (group FP60) induced a significant decrease in the number of positively stained cells for calponin compared with all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The number of positively stained cells for calponin increased after chronic administration of antidepressants. The proliferation index of the epithelial cells of rat parotid glands was not altered by the use of antidepressants for 60 days.

Utilização de brocas trefina para a confecção de tissue microarray / Use of trephine drills for the production of tissue microarray

Objetivos: Descrever e validar uma técnica alternativa econômica e eficiente para a confecção de amostras teciduais com arranjo matricial (tissue microarrays, TMA). Materiais e métodos: Utilizou-se um motor, um micromotor, um contra-ângulo redutor 16:1 e brocas trefina de aço inoxidável para osso. Análise histomorfométrica do volume das células acinares de glândulas parótidas foi realizada. Para testar marcadores imunoistoquímicos para células mioepiteliais, acinares e ductais das parótidas foram utilizados calponina e PCNA. Resultados: Na análise macroscópica e microscópica das lâminas, não foi encontrada perda total do tissue e nem mesmo deslocamento (parcial e/ou total) deste, sendo as perdas teciduais observadas apenas parciais. Das 90 lâminas analisadas, 59 (65%) obtiveram de 50% a 100% do tissue com ausência de artefato, deslocamento ou perda de tecido. Conclusão: O equipamento proposto pelos autores para a confecção deamostras teciduais com arranjo matricial representa uma alternativa econômica e eficiente.

Objectives: To describe and validate an inexpensive and efficient alternative for the production of tissue microarrays (TMA). Materials and methods: An electric-motor, a hand-piece, a reducing contra-angle hand-piece 16:1 and trephine stainless steel drills for bones were used in this study. A histomorphometric assessment of the volume of the acinar cells of parotid glands was performed. Calponin and PCNA were used to test the immunohistochemical markers for myoepithelial, acinar and ductal cells of parotid glands. Results: During the macroscopic and microscopic analysis, total loss of sections was not observed in any slide as well as artifactual ungluing (total and/or partial) of the sections. The loss of sections was partial. Fifty nine (65%) out of 90 slides showed 50%-100% of the tissue without technical artifact, artifactual ungluing or loss of the section. Conclusion: The equipment proposed by the authors for the production of arrays represents an inexpensive and efficient alternative.

Fitoterapia: dos canteiros ao balcão da farmácia / Phytotherapy: from greenhouses to drugstore’s bench

Introdução: Com a recente instituição do Programa Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos dentro do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) (Portaria interministerial 2.960/2008), foi confirmado o reconhecimento da eficácia de fármacos fitoterápicos na prática clínica, sobretudo no tratamento e na prevenção de afecções de menor severidade. Como em outros campos das ciências médicas, a odontologia também deve se apropriar desse recurso para o tratamento de populações, para as quais o acesso aos medicamentos industrializados é dificultado pela condição socioeconômica desfavorável. Diferente do senso comum que permeia a sociedade urbana, a fitoterapia é uma modalidade terapêutica com fundamentação científica e com reconhecida aplicabilidade. Conclusão: Esta revisão busca trazer ao cirurgião-dentista informações que lhe permitam conhecer melhor a fitoterapia.

Introduction: Recently, with the institution of the National Program of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapywithin the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) (interministerial directive 2960/2008), the efficacy ofphytotherapics in the clinical practice was recognized, mainly for the treatment and prophylaxis of lesssevere diseases. As well as in other medical fields, Dentistry must exploit this tool for the treatment of poorpopulations, which has no access to industrialized medication. Unlike the common sense that permeatesthe urban society, phytotherapy is a therapeutic modality based on scientific comprobation and recognizedapplicability. Conclusion: This review intends to bring some new data to dental surgeons, favoringa better accepting of the phytotherapy.

Clinical oral findings in dialysis and kidney-transplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: Oral lesions secondary to chronic renal failure or related to immunosuppressive therapy after transplant are reported in the literature, but their prevalence is still obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate oral clinical findings in patients undergoing renal dialysis and renal transplant recipients. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Forty-six patients treated with dialysis (DL), 33 kidney-transplant (KT) patients, and 37 control (C) patients were examined intraorally. Oral clinical findings were diagnosed and treated. RESULTS: The results showed that 95.6% (44/46) of the DL group, 93.9% (31/33) of KT patients, and 56.7% (21/37) of the control group presented at least one pathological entity in the oral mucosa. A high prevalence of oral lesions, such as saburral tongue and xerostomia, was found in the DL and KT groups. Certain oral lesions demonstrated a predisposition toward one type of group, such as a higher prevalence of metallic taste in the DL group and gingival overgrowth in the KT group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral lesions was significantly higher in renal patients (DL and KT groups). The most prevalent oral clinical findings were saburral tongue and xerostomia for both groups. Metallic taste was more prevalent in the DL group. Although geographic tongue was more frequent in KT patients and melanin pigmentation in the control group, the number of lesions was low for all groups. In addition, gingival overgrowth was more prevalent in the KT group; however, the difference was not significant (P = .06).

Cytological analysis of the epithelial cells in patients with oral candidiasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate oral epithelial cells of the oral mucosa infected by Candida albicans using exfoliative cytology. Oral smears were collected from clinically normal-appearing mucosa by liquid-based exfoliative cytology of 60 individuals (30 patients with oral candidiasis and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender) and analysed for morphologic and cytomorphometric technique. Morphologically, candida-infected epithelial cells exhibited nuclear enlargement, perinuclear rings, discrete orangeophilia, and cytoplasmic vacuoles. The cytomorphometric analysis demonstrated that the cytoplasmic area (CA) of the epithelial cells was diminished in patients undergoing candidiasis as compared to the non-infected controls. In addition, there was an augmentation in nuclear area (NA) and NA/CA area ratio. This study revealed that oral mucosa of patients undergoing candidal infection exhibited significant changes in the size and shape of the oral epithelial cells.

Exfoliative cytology of the oral mucosa in burning mouth syndrome: a cytomorphological and cytomorphometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate oral epithelial cells by exfoliative cytology in burning mouth syndrome (BMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oral smears were collected from clinically normal-appearing mucosa by liquid-based exfoliative cytology in 40 individuals (20 BMS patients and 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender) and analysed for cytological and cytomorphometric techniques. RESULTS: Mean values of nuclear area (NA) for experimental and control groups were, respectively, 67.52 and 55.64 µm² (p < 0.05). Cytoplasmic area (CA) showed the following mean values: 1258.0 (experimental) and 2069.0 µm² (control). Nucleus-to-cytoplasm area ratio for the experimental group was 0.07, besides the control group was 0.03 (p < 0.05). Morphologically, oral smears exhibited normal epithelial cells in both experimental and control groups. There was a significant predominance of nucleated cells of the superficial layer in the smears of BMS patients (p = 0.00001). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that oral mucosa of BMS patients exhibited significant cytomorphometric changes in the oral epithelial cells. These changes probably are associated with epithelial atrophy and a deregulated maturation process that may contribute to the oral symptoms of pain and discomfort in BMS.