Effect of Nickel and Titanium on DNA Methylation in Human Gingival fibroblast cells In Vitro

Metallic dental materials are frequently used in clinics. Cytotoxicity and allergy tests in vitro and in vivo have primarily been used to evaluate their safety. However, whether these dental materials cause genetic modifications leading to pathological conditions in oral tissues has not been shown. Gene mutations and epigenetic alterations are the initial steps of genetic modification. Environmental factors, including chemical components and mechanical stimulations, can cause epigenetic modifications that are often involved in pathogenic changes in humans. Therefore, we hypothesize that dental materials induce specific alterations in DNA methylation. This study aims to demonstrate specific alterations in DNA methylations in human gingival fibroblast cells (HGnF) induced by metal components (Ni and Ti ) of dental materials. The mRNA expression level of IL−6 for 2 weeks was significantly higher in the HGnF cells treated with 50 μM of Ni and 10 μM of Ti compared to the controls. Quantitative methylation − specific PCR ( qMSP) revealed that the DNA methylation percentage levels of IL−6 and IFN−γ in HGnF cells treated with 10 μM of Ti for 2 weeks were significantly lower compared to the controls. In conclusion, this study found hypomethylation of IL−6 and IFN−γ, followed by their upregulated expressions in HGnF cells stimulated with Ti. Methylation levels may serve as a new cytotoxic assessment tool, even for biocompatible materials.departmental bulletin pape

Current management strategies for the pain of elderly patients with burning mouth syndrome : a critical review

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), a chronic intraoral burning sensation or dysesthesia without clinically evident causes, is one of the most common medically unexplained oral symptoms/syndromes. Even though the clinical features of BMS have been astonishingly common and consistent throughout the world for hundreds of years, BMS remains an enigma and has evolved to more intractable condition. In fact, there is a large and growing number of elderly BMS patients for whom the disease is accompanied by systemic diseases, in addition to aging physical change, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of BMS more difficult. Because the biggest barrier preventing us from finding the core pathophysiology and best therapy for BMS seems to be its heterogeneity, this syndrome remains challenging for clinicians. In this review, we discuss currently hopeful management strategies, including central neuromodulators (Tricyclic Antidepressants - TCAs, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors - SNRIs, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - SSRIs, Clonazepam) and solutions for applying non-pharmacology approaches. Moreover, we also emphasize the important role of patient education and anxiety management to improve the patients’ quality of life. A combination of optimized medication with a short-term supportive psychotherapeutic approach might be a useful solution