The Effect of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 on the Mineralization of Human Cementoblasts.

INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) plays an important role in bone mineralization and has been reported to promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. However, there is no report about the effects of TGF-ß1 on human cementoblasts. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of TGF-ß1 on the proliferation and differentiation of the human cementoblast cell line (HCEM) in vitro. METHODS: HCEM cells were stimulated with TGF-ß1 at concentrations of 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 10 ng/mL. A proliferation assay was performed from 24-72 hours. The effect of TGF-ß1 on mineralization was analyzed by quantifying the area stained with alizarin red on days 7 and 14. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the effect of TGF-ß1 on the mineralization-related genes alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and type I collagen on days 3, 7, and 14. RESULTS: TGF-ß1 did not affect cell proliferation. TGF-ß1 together with the mineralization medium (consisting of ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and ß-glycerophosphate) increased the alizarin red-stained area on days 7 and 14. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that alkaline phosphatase messenger RNA expression was increased in TGF-ß1-stimulated HCEM cells in mineralization medium on days 3 and 7, whereas bone sialoprotein and type I collagen messenger RNA expression was increased on day 7. CONCLUSIONS: Although TGF-ß1 does not affect cell proliferation, it does promote cell differentiation and mineralization of HCEM cells.

Effect of salivary secretion with mouthguard use on seasonal allergic rhinitis symptom improvement.

OBJECTIVES: It was shown that mucosal immunity via salivary IgA may be related to the improvement of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms, and improvement of SAR symptoms through saliva flow increase has been reported in patients using mouthguard (MG) in dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of MG use on SAR symptom improvement and to clarify the role of saliva on SAR symptom development. METHODS: We recruited patients from the Kanagawa Dental University Hospital including 38 and 8 patients with SAR and non-SAR symptoms during two seasons from March 2017 to April 2018. We analyzed the saliva flow rate pre- and post-MG use and measured the amount of IgA and IgG4 in the saliva. We assessed the correlation between SAR symptoms and MG use. SAR symptoms were examined according to a specific clinical score. RESULTS: It was revealed that salivary IgA concentration was significantly lower in SAR patients than in controls. SAR symptoms significantly improved with MG use. The saliva flow rate and IgA levels significantly increased with MG use, although the IgG4 levels did not change. CONCLUSIONS: MG use may be beneficial for improving the symptoms of SAR patients by increasing the IgA levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR: UMIN000026428) on 6thMarch 2017.