MicroRNAs as Salivary Markers for Periodontal Diseases: A New Diagnostic Approach?

The aim of this review is to discuss current findings regarding the roles of miRNAs in periodontal diseases and the potential use of saliva as a diagnostic medium for corresponding miRNA investigations. For periodontal disease, investigations have been restricted to tissue samples and five miRNAs, that is, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-203, and miR-223, were repeatedly validated in vivo and in vitro by different validation methods. Particularly noticeable are the small sample sizes, different internal controls, and different case definitions of periodontitis in in vivo studies. Beside of that, the validated miRNAs are associated with inflammation and therefore with various diseases. Furthermore, several studies successfully explored the use of salivary miRNA species for the diagnosis of oral cancer. Different cancer types were investigated and heterogeneous methodology was used; moreover, no overlap of results was found. In conclusion, five miRNAs have consistently been reported for periodontitis; however, their disease specificity, detectability, and expression in saliva and their importance as noninvasive markers are questionable. In principle, a salivary miRNA diagnostic method seems feasible. However, standardized criteria and protocols for preanalytics, measurements, and analysis should be established to obtain comparable results across different studies.

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The Immunomodulatory Effects of Honey and Associated Flavonoids in Cancer

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041269 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1269

Author(s):

Razan J. Masad ◽

Shoja M. Haneefa ◽

Yassir A. Mohamed ◽

Ashraf Al-Sbiei ◽

Ghada Bashir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Immunomodulatory Effects ◽

Bioactive Constituents ◽

Cancer Cell Growth ◽

Cancer Types ◽

Immunomodulatory Properties

Honey has exerted a high impact in the field of alternative medicine over many centuries. In addition to its wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, several lines of evidence have highlighted the efficiency of honey and associated bioactive constituents as anti-tumor agents against a range of cancer types. Mechanistically, honey was shown to inhibit cancer cell growth through its pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects. However, the potential of honey to regulate anti-tumor immune responses is relatively unexplored. A small number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of honey to modulate the immune system by inducing immunostimulatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, we summarize the findings from different studies that aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of honey and its flavonoid components in relation to cancer. While these studies provide promising data, additional research is needed to further elucidate the immunomodulatory properties of honey, and to enable its utilization as an adjuvant therapy in cancer.

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Folate-Targeted Transgenic Activity of Dendrimer Functionalized Selenium Nanoparticles In Vitro

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21197177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (19) ◽

pp. 7177

Author(s):

Nikita Simone Pillay ◽

Aliscia Daniels ◽

Moganavelli Singh

Keyword(s):

Transgene Expression ◽

In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽

Selenium Nanoparticles ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Cellular Interaction ◽

Nucleic Acid Binding ◽

Specific Targeting ◽

Cancer Types

Current chemotherapeutic drugs, although effective, lack cell-specific targeting, instigate adverse side effects in healthy tissue, exhibit unfavourable bio-circulation and can generate drug-resistant cancers. The synergistic use of nanotechnology and gene therapy, using nanoparticles (NPs) for therapeutic gene delivery to cancer cells is hereby proposed. This includes the benefit of cell-specific targeting and exploitation of receptors overexpressed in specific cancer types. The aim of this study was to formulate dendrimer-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (PAMAM-SeNPs) containing the targeting moiety, folic acid (FA), for delivery of pCMV-Luc-DNA (pDNA) in vitro. These NPs and their gene-loaded nanocomplexes were physicochemically and morphologically characterized. Nucleic acid-binding, compaction and pDNA protection were assessed, followed by cell-based in vitro cytotoxicity, transgene expression and apoptotic assays. Nanocomplexes possessed favourable sizes (<150 nm) and ζ-potentials (>25 mV), crucial for cellular interaction, and protected the pDNA from degradation in an in vivo simulation. PAMAM-SeNP nanocomplexes exhibited higher cell viability (>85%) compared to selenium-free nanocomplexes (approximately 75%), confirming the important role of selenium in these nanocomplexes. FA-conjugated PAMAM-SeNPs displayed higher overall transgene expression (HeLa cells) compared to their non-targeting counterparts, suggesting enhanced receptor-mediated cellular uptake. Overall, our results bode well for the use of these nano-delivery vehicles in future in vivo studies.

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Review- The periodontal pathogen Treponema denticola: an atherosclerosis risk factor

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11637 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e25810111637

Author(s):

Pâmela Beatriz do Rosário Estevam dos Santos ◽

Patrícia Michelle Nagai de Lima ◽

Ana Luiza do Rosário Palma ◽

Amjad Abu Hasna ◽

Rodnei Dennis Rossoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Periodontal Disease ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Periodontal Pathogen ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Treponema Denticola ◽

Periodontal Pathogens ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk Factor

Objective: Treponema denticola “T. denticola” is a pathogen associated with periodontal diseases that exhibits capacity for adherence, invasion, and colonization of host tissues, which allows alternating its location and damage in different sites of human body. This review aimed to discuss different studies that detected T. denticola in atherosclerotic plaques, demonstrating the importance of periodontal disease on the systemic health and the necessity of exploring the outcome of this colonization apart from the oral cavity. Methodology: Fifty-five studies were identified and gathered in this review according to the following topics: Periodontal disease, atherosclerosis and T. denticola. In vitro and in vivo studies published between 2002 and 2020 were searched on PubMed, raising relevant insights about the role of T. denticola and its association with the systemic disease, atherosclerosis, focusing on the bacterial tissue invasion and development of atherosclerosis. Results: After bibliographic review, it was possible to identify studies demonstrating the presence of T. denticola and other oral pathogens in cardiac or vascular tissues and in blood serum, as well, there is research in which other evidence of a relationship with atherosclerosis is shown. Conclusion: The invasion of periodontal pathogens and its toxins associated to the host’s immune and inflammatory response may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

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Pharmacokinetics of Darolutamide, its Diastereomers and Active Metabolite in the Mouse: Response to Saini NK et al. (2020)

Drug Metabolism Letters ◽

10.2174/1872312814666201112121129 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Pirjo Nykänen ◽

Timo Korjamo ◽

Hille Gieschen ◽

Christian Zurth ◽

Mikko Koskinen

Keyword(s):

Protein Binding ◽

Equilibrium Dialysis ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

High Protein Binding ◽

Mouse Hepatocytes ◽

Mouse Response

Background: Saini et al. recently investigated the pharmacokinetics of darolutamide and its diastereomers in vitro and in vivo in Balb/c mice, reporting higher levels of (S,S)-darolutamide than (S,R)-darolutamide following intravenous or oral dosing, and interconversion of (S,R)-darolutamide to (S,S)-darolutamide. Objective: To present our in vitro and in vivo studies of darolutamide pharmacokinetics in mice, which contrast with the findings of Saini et al. Methods: Nude male Balb/c mice were orally dosed for 7 days with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of darolutamide twice daily. Pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma and tissue samples were assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolism and interconversion of darolutamide and diastereomers was investigated in cryopreserved Balb/c mouse hepatocytes. Protein binding was determined in plasma samples by equilibrium dialysis. Results and Discussion: At day 7, Cmax was reached 30 min after last dose. Rapid formation and greater exposure of ketodarolutamide versus darolutamide were observed. Plasma exposure of (S,R)-darolutamide was 3–5-fold higher than that of (S,S)-darolutamide. The fraction of unbound keto-darolutamide was almost 6-fold lower than for darolutamide. In mouse hepatocytes, conversion of (S,S)- to (S,R)-darolutamide was observed but conversion of (S,R)- to (S,S)- darolutamide was not detectable. Back-formation of keto-darolutamide to both diastereomers occurred at low levels. Conclusion: The darolutamide diastereomer ratio changes upon administration in mice and other species, due to interconversion through keto-darolutamide. This is not considered clinically relevant since both diastereomers and ketodarolutamide are pharmacologically similar in vitro. Based on the high protein binding of keto-darolutamide, its contribution in vivo in humans is considered low.

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Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Pine Tar on Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria: An In Vitro Study

Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ejhs.v30i6.17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Eman Ali Alqahtani ◽

Mohamed Fadul. A. Elagib ◽

Rawan Hamad Al-Yami ◽

Alanoud Saeed Abu Hatlah ◽

Amel I. Faragalla

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Periodontal Pathogens ◽

Diffusion Analysis ◽

Tar Oil

BACKGROUND: Periodontal pathogens play an important role in etiology and pathogenesis of periodontitis. Microbiological examination of sub gingival plaque is used at the present time in etiological research as well as in clinical treatment of periodontitis to select the appropriate antibiotic agent if indicated. Pine tar has been used for the treatment of various skin diseases. So the study was done to evaluate the effect of Pine Tar oil on bacteria isolated from periodontitis patients.METHODS: Plaque samples from volunteer patients were collected using sterile paper points. Robertson's Cooked Meat (RCM) medium was used for the transportation and cultivation of aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic microorganisms.RESULTS: The result suggests the use of Pine tar oil for topical application in periodontal diseases. Disc diffusion analysis was sufficient enough to illustrate that 75 μl tar oil solution produced growth inhibition of microbial strains.CONCLUSION: Pine tar oil has become one of the important areas of research both in pharmaceutical and periodontal research, hence in vivo studies has to be carried out with various form of pine tar.

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The Effect of N-acetylcysteine on Periodontitis: A mini-review of literature

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i5.15134 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e42610515134

Author(s):

André dos Santos Carvalho ◽

Even Herlany Pereira Alves ◽

Mateus Cardoso do Amaral ◽

Hélio Mateus Silva Nascimento ◽

Ayane Araújo Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Resorption ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Google Scholar ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Experimental Periodontitis ◽

New Research ◽

Mucolytic Agent

Recently, there is strong evidence for the beneficial role of antioxidants in the treatment of periodontal diseases. A drug that is gaining more and more focus in new research is N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant that contributes to the increase in glutathione (GSH), used as a mucolytic agent, however, recent studies have shown its significant role in decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species and in the bone resorption process in experimental periodontitis, therefore, this review sought to elucidate whether N-acetylcysteine is effective in the treatment of periodontitis and also in the involved mechanisms already mentioned in the literature. The present study is a mini-review, in which a search was performed on Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science and databases for the collection of studies published in the last 10 years (2009-2020). The mini-review included studies that addressed a direct or indirect link between the effects of N-acetylcysteine on periodontitis, studies published in recent years, and in vitro and in vivo studies (animal and / or human models). Seven articles were selected from the following databases: PubMed (03) and Google Scholar (04) were subsequently analyzed. As for the language and the journal, all were published in international Journals and in English. It was concluded that N-acetylcysteine was effective in bone resorption in experimental periodontitis, but further studies are suggested in order to elucidate all the mechanisms involved in the observed results.

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Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100076408 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 552-555

Author(s):

Conly L. Rieder ◽

S. Bowser ◽

R. Nowogrodzki ◽

K. Ross ◽

G. Sluder

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Meiotic Spindle ◽

Serial Sections ◽

Mitotic Apparatus ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Cell Cycles ◽

Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

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