A Treat to Xerotes: An Emerging Trend

Xerostomia or dry mouth refers to a condition in which the function of salivary gland to secrete saliva is not enough to keep the mouth wet. Systemic diseases, local factors and various drugs are believed to be the causes. A sticky, dry or burning sensation in the mouth, altered taste or intolerance for spicy, salty or sour foods and cracked lips are believed to be the signs of xerostomia. So, the patients of xerostomia require distinctive care for upkeeping the oral health condition and, it is our obligation to treat such condition which involves multidisciplinary approach. Different approaches used nowadays are sugar free chewing gums, artificial saliva, sucking sugarless candies which provide symptomatic relief but recurrence is probable when treatment ends and drugs like direct acting cholinergic agonists can promote salivation but has various side effects alongside. So, to overcome such limitations,neuroelectrostimulatory devices were introduced in today's world as recent advancements in the management of xerostomia. This review aimed to describe theseneuroelectrostimulatory devices.

Three-dimensional analysis of the heart function and effect cholinergic agonists in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa

Many relevant aspects of mammal’s cardiac physiology have been mainly investigated in insect models such as Drosophila melanogaster and Periplaneta americana. Cardiac function has been poorly studied in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa, which has some advantages for experimental purposes such as an easier culture, bigger organs and a robust physiology. On the other hand, the study of cardiac physiology in insects has been largely improved since the arrival of digital imaging technologies for recording purposes. In the present work, we introduce a methodology of video recording coupled to an isotonic transducer for a three-dimensional analysis of the heart and intracardiac valves of G. portentosa. We used this methodology for assessing the physiological responses of the cockroach heart upon the application of different cholinergic neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, nicotine and muscarine). We recorded in detail the relationship between intracardiac valves movement, hemolymph flow, diastole and systole. Acetylcholine and nicotine induced a biphasic effect on the cardiac frequency. Acetylcholine increased the diastolic opening. Nicotine at high concentration caused paralysis. Muscarine induced no major effects. These findings suggest a combined action of cholinergic agonists for a finely tuned the cardiac frequency, intracardiac valves function and cardiac cycle.

Cholinergic modulation of CRH and non-CRH neurons in Barrington’s nucleus of the mouse

This study investigates the effects of bath-applied cholinergic agonists on Barrington’s nucleus (BarN) neurons in vitro. They were either excitatory, through nicotinic receptors, or inhibitory, through muscarinic receptors. Putative corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in BarN, as well as putative non-CRH-expressing neurons, responded to cholinergic agonists.