Preparation and Characterization of Simvastatin Loaded PLGA Microparticles forTissue Engineering Applications

Simvastatin has been reported to promote osteoblastic activity and inhibit osteoclastic activity. The successful use of simvastatin to promote in vivo bone formation depends on the local concentration, and there have been continuous efforts to find an appropriate delivery system for local delivery. Controlled drug delivery approaches based on microparticles could be a promising approach for sustained-localized delivery of simvastatin. In this study, simvastatin-loaded PLGA microparticles were prepared by using a modified single emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Uniform, spherical simvastatin loaded PLGA microparticles of size below 10μm were produced by adopting three different drug polymer ratios such as 1:40, 1:20 and 1:10 with encapsulation efficiency above 85%w/w irrespective to the drug polymer ratio and maximum simvastatin loading within PLGA microparticles was observed at drug polymer ratio of 1:10. Two stage release of simvastatin from microparticles was observed for 45 days, illustrating a controlled release. Simvastatin loaded PLGA microparticles are compatible with hFOB cells and induced in vitro bio-mineralization during 11 days treatment. These studies illustrate the feasibility of achieving local delivery of simvastatin to induce in vivo bone formation activity by suitably engrafting simvastatin loaded microparticles within porous scaffolds

The Relationship Between Bleeding on Probing and Subgingival Deposits. An Endoscopical Evaluation

none4Background: Bleeding on probing (BOP) is an indicator of tissue inflammatory response to bacterial pathogens. Because anatomical limitations the entity and physical state of microbial aggregations located under the gingival margin and their relations to BOP have been hardly investigated till now. The recent introduction of the endoscopy has allowed clinicians to view the subgingival environment in a non-traumatic way. Aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between BOP and subgingival deposits by using this new technology. Methods: At one-month revaluation of 16 periodontal patients treated with scaling and root planning, 107 teeth (642 individual sites) were evaluated for plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), endoscopic biofilm index (EBI) and endoscopic calculus index (ECI). Results: A linear association between BOP and PD, EBI, and ECI was detected. The BOP provided a high level of specificity but quite low sensitivity values both for ECI (sensitivity 40%, specificity 86%) and EBI (sensitivity 37%, specificity 89%). The BOP sensitivity was directly linked to the amount of subgingival deposits. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a direct relationship between BOP and presence/amount of subgingival deposits. More investigations on larger samples are however needed.noneChecchi l.; Montevecchi M.; Checchi V.; Zappulla F.Checchi l.; Montevecchi M.; Checchi V.; Zappulla F

Mechanical characterization of actomyosin complex by molecular mechanics simulations

Mechanical characterization of actomyosin complex by molecular mechanics simulation