In vivo evaluation of a metronidazole-containing gel for the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis: preliminary results.

The present study developed an experimental metronidazole-based gel and evaluated its efficacy for the adjuvant treatment of chronic periodontitis. Sixteen patients were randomly allocated into two groups of eight subjects according to the following proposed treatments: (1) scaling and root planing (active control) or (2) scaling and root planing and direct periodontal intrapocket application of 15% metronidazole-based gel in two sites (≥5 mm in depth) (experimental group). Potential changes in the subgingival microbiota were assessed using a DNA Checkerboard method at three proposed times: baseline and following 7 or 30 days of drug administration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) monitored metronidazole concentrations in the crevicular fluid during treatment. The metronidazole experimental group presented lower bacterial counts than the control group at the three evaluated times (p<0.01 for baseline, p<0.001 for 7 or 30 days) when the target species were analyzed as a pool of bacteria. Samples revealed significantly lower counts 7 days after drug administration compared with baseline or after 30 days (p<0.05). HPLC analysis detected gel 1 h after application. The metronidazole-based gel significantly decreased the total bacterial count at the three evaluated times. Periodontopathogenic species were not different after gel administration.

[Cardiovascular diseases. Comments on early mortality in Brazil]. / Doenças cardiovasculares. Comentários sobre a mortalidade precoce no Brasil.

PURPOSE: To compare age specific mortality rates from acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular diseases in Brazilian cities with equivalent death rates in other countries. METHODS: Data on Brazilian deaths were obtained from the Health Ministry's Mortality Information System. Data for other countries were obtained from a World Health Organization specialized publication. RESULTS: Nearly 50% of ischemic heart disease deaths among males occurred in men under 65. The equivalent proportion in other countries was 25%. The acute myocardial infarction death rate among men aged 35-44 was 3 times greater than in North America. The Brazilian cardiovascular disease death rates were also higher then in other countries. CONCLUSION: Contrary to what is usually believed, it is not only among old people that cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of death. This suggests that there is a need for specifically designed investigations that take account of the peculiarities of the Brazilian situation, as well as for urgent implementation of targetted risk factor control programs.

Influence of the carboxyl terminus of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and bradykinin on hydrolysis by brain endo-oligopeptidases.

A homogeneous preparation of endo-oligopeptidase A from rabbit brain cleaves luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (less than Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2) at the Tyr-Gly bond only after the removal of Gly-NH2 from the COOH-terminal position of the molecule. The influence of the carboxyl terminus on hydrolysis by brain endo-oligopeptidases was studied using bradykinin as a model substrate. The substitution of the carboxyl group of bradykinin by the amide reduces by 2.5-fold the rate of Phe-Ser bond hydrolysis by endo-oligopeptidase A but has no effect on the rate of hydrolysis of the Pro-Phe bond by endo-oligopeptidase B. On the other hand, the deletion of Phe-Arg from the COOH-terminal portion of bradykinin makes the peptide resistant to hydrolysis by endo-oligopeptidase A whereas it increases by 5-fold the rate of hydrolysis of the Pro-Gly bond by endo-oligopeptidase B.