Oral resveratrol supplementation improves Metabolic Syndrome features in obese patients submitted to a lifestyle-changing program.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral resveratrol effects associated with diet and physical training changes on anthropometric and biochemical parameters. MAIN METHODS: 25 individuals aged from 30 to 60 years old; with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 were included in the study. Following the primary evaluation (anthropometric and clinical), the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) Placebo: Physical activity program + Diet + Placebo; (2) Resveratrol: Physical activity program + Diet + Resveratrol (RVS) (250 mg/day) for three months. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated at baseline and after the treatment period. KEY FINDINGS: The main findings showed that the resveratrol supplementation improved total cholesterol (TC), High-density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), Very-low density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), urea, creatinine and albumin serum levels. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that this polyphenol may be an option to potentiate the beneficial effects induced by dietary and physical activity programs in the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) treatment.

Efficacy and safety assessment of different dosage of benznidazol for the treatment of Chagas disease in chronic phase in adults (MULTIBENZ study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized Phase II non-inferiority clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD) continues to be a neglected infectious disease with one of the largest burdens globally. Despite the modest cure rates in adult chronic patients and its safety profile, benznidazole (BNZ) is still the drug of choice. Its current recommended dose is based on nonrandomized studies, and efficacy and safety of the optimal dose of BNZ have been scarcely analyzed in clinical trials. METHODS/DESIGN: MULTIBENZ is a phase II, randomized, noninferiority, double-blind, multicenter international clinical trial. A total of 240 patients with Trypanosoma CD in the chronic phase will be recruited in four different countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Spain). Patients will be randomized to receive BNZ 150 mg/day for 60 days, 400 mg/day for 15 days, or 300 mg/day for 60 days (comparator arm). The primary outcome is the efficacy of three different BNZ therapeutic schemes in terms of dose and duration. Efficacy will be assessed according to the proportion of patients with sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood measured by polymerase chain reaction. The secondary outcomes are related to pharmacokinetics and drug tolerability. The follow-up will be 12 months from randomization to end of study participation. Recruitment was started in April 2018. CONCLUSION: This is a clinical trial conducted for the assessment of different dose schemes of BNZ compared with the standard treatment regimen for the treatment of CD in the chronic phase. MULTIBENZ may help to clarify which is the most adequate BNZ regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, predicated on sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03191162. Registered on 19 June 2017.

Fluoxetine reduces periodontal disease progression in a conditioned fear stress model in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that the use of fluoxetine could reduce periodontal disease severity. However, the effect of fluoxetine on periodontal disease has not been tested in the context of conditioned fear stress (CFS). We hypothesized that inhibition of chronic stress by fluoxetine might decrease the levels of bone loss in periodontal disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of fluoxetine on bone loss in chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen Wistar rats were submitted to ligature-induced periodontal disease and divided into four groups (A-D). Groups A (n = 3) and B (n = 4) were not stressed, while Groups C (n = 3) and D (n = 4) were submitted to a CFS paradigm for 38 d. Daily fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) was administered to Groups B and D from day 20 to day 39, at which point the rats were submitted to an open field test and killed on day 40. Mandibles were removed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Stress was associated with a higher level of bone loss in Group C compared with Group A. Additionally, no differences in bone loss were observed among Groups A, B and D. CONCLUSION: We showed that stress is associated with the progression of bone loss in a CFS model in rats and that fluoxetine treatment reduces the bone loss.

Diazepam reverses the alveolar bone loss and hippocampal interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 enhanced by conditioned fear stress in ligature-induced periodontal disease in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stress and anxiety have been associated with chronic periodontitis, but few studies examining the effects of psychotropic drugs on periodontal health have been performed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of diazepam on the progression of periodontitis in chronically stressed rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen Wistar rats were submitted to ligature-induced periodontal disease and were divided into four groups . Two groups were not stressed, whereas two groups were submitted to a conditioned fear stress paradigm for 38 d. Daily diazepam treatment (2 mg/kg, orally) was administered to one unstressed group and to one group submitted to a conditioned fear stress paradigm from day 2 to the day 39, at which point the rats were submitted to an open field test and were killed on day 40. Brains and mandibles were removed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Animals exposed to conditioned fear stress presented an increase in freezing behavior, a decrease in locomotor activity, enhanced alveolar bone loss and higher levels of hippocampal interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), compared with the control group. Diazepam, at the dose used in the current study, had no effect on freezing behavior but reversed the decrease in locomotor activity provoked by stress. Additionally, the treatment reduced the levels of hippocampal IL-1ß and IL-6 and alveolar bone loss in Wistar rats. Neither conditioned fear stress nor diazepam treatment had an effect on periodontal IL-1ß or IL-6 levels in animals. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that diazepam treatment reduces bone loss in rats submitted to conditioned fear stress. In addition, diazepam treatment led to decreased IL-1ß and IL-6 levels in the hippocampus.

Detection and quantification of mast cell, vascular endothelial growth factor, and microvessel density in human inflammatory periapical cysts and granulomas.

AIM: To identify and quantify mast cell (MC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) in human periapical cysts and granulomas. METHODOLOGY: Archived samples of cysts (n = 40) and granulomas (n = 28) were sectioned and stained with toluidine blue. MCs were identified and counted. Immunohistochemical reactions were employed to evaluate the tissue expression of VEGF and vessels. MVD was estimated by determining the areas of tissue labelled with CD31 antibody. The data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: MCs were observed in the peripheral regions of both lesion types, whilst VEGF and MVD were distributed in the stroma. The presence of MCs was higher in cysts than in granulomas (P < 0.05). VEGF and MVD expression were similar in these lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The highest number of MCs was observed in cysts. Moreover, the identification of VEGF and MVD was consistent with the immune mechanisms involved in the lesions.

Lip squamous cell carcinoma in a Brazilian population: epidemiological study and clinicopathological associations.

OBJECTIVES: It was evaluated epidemiological aspects of primary lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and its associations with clinicopathological factors. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analysed a socio-demographic, clinical, and morphological data of HNSCC in a Brazilian population (n=30). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses using the chi-square and Fisher 's exact tests to compare the variables. RESULTS: The LSCC represented 10.8% of all oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Lip malignant disease was more prevalent in elderly men, with male-to-female ratio of 5:1. Lower lip was more affected. It was observed high rates of chronic solar exposure, and tobacco and alcohol drinking habits. Clinically, early TNM staging, small tumour lesions, and non-metastatic disease were predominant findings. It was identified a high frequency of well differentiated tumor samples. Worse Karnofsky performance status was associated with cervical metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that LSCC patients exhibited similar epidemiological and clinical profiles as noted in other studies. Still, the occurrence of metastatic disease was associated with a worse physical performance status of the LSCC patients during diagnosis.

Analysis of 724 cases of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with a focus on young patients and p53 immunolocalization.

This study evaluated 724 primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in young and old patients, with regard to clinical profile and immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein. Associations among age, epidemiological and clinicopathological parameters, and survival analysis were evaluated. HNSCC in young people occurred in 14.5% (median age 40.7years; male-to-female ratio 5.9:1). A statistical association was demonstrated between age and family history of cancer, and between age and anatomical site. Among older patients, a higher presence of disease was noted in posterior sites. Expression of p53 was found in 71.7% of the samples and a higher expression was noted in lesions of young patients. Survival analysis showed that the age parameter is not a reliable prognostic factor for HNSCC. Among young patients, cervical metastasis was associated with worse survival. The presence of a family history of cancer in young patients could indicate genetic susceptibility and molecular disturbances in the p53 pathway in HNSCC of young and older patients seem to be distinct.

Peripheral odontogenic fibroma (WHO type) of the newborn: a case report.

AIM: The present paper reports a case of peripheral odontogenic fibroma (POF) (WHO type) in a newborn. The differential diagnosis and treatment were discussed. BACKGROUND: POF is well described in the literature, but this is the first report in a newborn. PATIENT: A 4-month-old female newborn was referred to our department because of an exophytic, sessile, firm, and well-delimited lesion on the right upper alveolar ridge. The covering mucosa was apparently normal. The lesion measuring 10 x 3 mm was present since birth. The clinical diagnosis of congenital granular cell tumour (congenital epulis) or dental lamina cyst of the newborn was made. A conservative excisional biopsy was performed under local anaesthesia, and the specimen was submitted to histopathological examination. RESULTS: The microscopic examination revealed a pattern of POF (WHO type). Normal primary incisors teeth eruption, and no signs of recurrence were noted on 16 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Despite the rarity of POF in a newborn, this lesion should be included as a possible diagnosis to focal gingival growth.

Cutaneous horn occurring on the lip of a child.

Cutaneous horn is a relatively uncommon lesion consisting of keratotic material resembling that of an animal horn. This kind of lesion is more common in Caucasians and in older age groups. The primary lesion underlying the horny material may be benign, premalignant or malignant. The treatment of choice is an excisional biopsy with a narrow margin, because of the possibility of malignancy. The material must be submitted for histopathological evaluation. The first reported case of cutaneous horn arising on the vermillion border of the lower lip in a black child is presented.