Atividade antifúngica do a-terpinen sobre Candida albicans / Antifungal activity of a-terpinen on Candida albicans

Objetivo: avaliar a atividade antifúngica do a- terpinen sobre culturas planctonicas e biofilme de Candida albicans. Material e Métodos: Primeiramente, foi determinada a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Fungicida Mínima (CFM) do a-terpinen sobre microrganismos planctônicos. A Nistatina foi utilizada como controle positivo. Biofilme de Candida albicans foi desenvolvido e, após o tratamento com diferentes concentrações de α-terpinen, foi quantificado em UFC/mL, além da atividade metabólica das células ser avaliada por XTT. Resultados: a menor concentração capaz de inibir o crescimento (CIM) foi 0,2 % para o a-terpinen e 4 µg/mL para a Nistatina. Na CIM, os resultados mostraram que a partir da concentração 0,05 % de α-terpinen e 2 µg/mL de Nistatina houve diminuição de C.albicans quando comparado ao controle. A CFM foi para a-terpinen 0,2 % e Nistatina 8 µg/mL. Na quantificação as concentrações eficazes foram de α-terpinen (0,1%) e Nistatina (128µg/mL), e no teste do XTT, observou-se que α -terpinen (0,1%) e Nistatina (256µg/mL) diminuem a viabilidade quando comparado com o controle. Conclusão: Assim, pode-se afirmar que α -terpineol pode ser uma alternativa para tratamento de infecções fúngicas.

Objective: to evaluate the antifungal activity of a-terpinen on planktonic cultures and biofilm of Candida albicans. Material and Methods: first, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (CFM) of a-terpinen were determined. Nystatin was used as a positive control. Biofilm of Candida albicans was developed and, after treatment with different concentrations of a-terpinen, was quantified in CFU/mL, in addition to metabolic activity of the cells being evaluated by XTT. Results: the lowest concentration able to inhibit the growth (MIC) was 0.2% for a-terpinen and 4 µg / mL for Nystatin. Results showed that from the concentration 0.05% of α -terpinen and 2 µg / mL of Nystatin, there was a decrease of Candida albicans when compared to the control, in planktonic culture. CFM was 0.2% for α -terpinen and 8 µg / mL for Nystatin. Regarding the quantification, effective concentrations were α-terpinen (0.1%) and Nystatin (128 µg/mL), and in the XTT test, α-terpinen (0.1%) and Nystatin (256 µg/mL) decreased metabolic activity when compared to control. Conclusion: Thus, it can be stated that a-terpineol may be an alternative for the treatment of fungal infections.

Control of white spot lesion adjacent to orthodontic bracket with use of fluoride varnish or chlorhexidine gel.

The aims of this study were to compare the effectiveness of fluoride varnish and chlorhexidine gel in controlling white spot lesions (WSLs) adjacent to orthodontic brackets and to compare the ability of Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) to measure mineral uptake with that of transverse microradiography (TMR). Thirty premolars with artificially induced WSLs were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) two applications of 5% NaF-varnish (F), with one-week interval, (2) two applications of 2% chlorhexidine gel (CHX), with one-week interval, and (3) control (CO), no treatment. QLF was used to measure changes in fluorescence before and after caries induction, 1 week after each application and 1, 2, and 3 months after the last application of F or CHX. TMR was performed to quantify lesion depth and mineral content after caries induction to evaluate the effects of F, CHX, and CO 3 months after the last application of agents. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test. All treatments increased the mineral content during the experimental period; however, F induced faster remineralization than CHX. The correlation between QLF and TMR was significantly moderate. Two applications of fluoride varnish or 2% chlorhexidine gel at one-week intervals were effective in controlling WSLs.

Expression of the interleukin-10 signaling pathway genes in individuals with Down syndrome and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease, which cannot be explained by poor oral hygiene alone and is related to changes in the immune response. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether DS was associated with differential modulation of expression of genes associated with proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in periodontal disease. METHODS: A total of 51 individuals were evaluated: 19 individuals with DS and periodontal disease (group 1), 20 euploid individuals with periodontal disease (group 2; positive control), and 12 euploid individuals without periodontal disease (group 3; negative control). Clinical periodontal evaluation and gingival biopsies were performed. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine expression levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), the receptors IL-10RA and IL-10RB, intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and the signaling intermediates Janus kinase 1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3). RESULTS: Expression of IL10, SOCS3, IP10, and ICAM1 mRNA in DS patients was significantly lower compared to euploid individuals with periodontal disease, whereas IL-10RB and STAT-3 mRNA levels were higher in individuals with DS. CONCLUSION: Reduced expression of IL-10 coupled with a possible increase of STAT3 activation (increase of STAT3 and reduction of SOCS3 mRNA) indicates an important modulation of the immune response, with attenuation of anti-inflammatory and increase of proinflammatory mediators. This modulation may be related to the increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis in individuals with DS.