The In-Vitro Effects of Sea Cucumber (Stichopus sp1) Extract on Human Osteoblast Cell Line

Despite its claimed therapeutic effects, the action of sea cucumber (known as gamat in the Malay language) on human osteoblast cells is still unknown. We performed in vitro studies utilising extract of Stichopus sp1 (gamat) to elucidate its effects on cell viability and functional activity. We found an inverse relationship between gamat concentration and its effect on osteoblast cell viability (p<0.001). Only gamat concentration at 1mg/ml significantly promoted cell viability at day 3 of incubation. There was a trend towards increased osteoblast cell function in the presence of gamat at 5mg/ml and 10mg/ml but this observation was not consistent at different incubation periods

Sealing ability of hydroxyapatite as a root canal sealer: in vitro study

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the most thermodynamically synthetic calcium phosphate cement, and has indicated useful as a sealer because can seal a furcation perforation, is shown to be biocompatible and also has potential to promote the healing of bone in endodontic therapy. The objective of this study is to determine the sealing ability of HA produced by School of Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) when used as a sealer in root canal obturation, compare with Tubli-seal (Zinc-Oxide base) and Sealapax (Calcium Hydroxyde base) sealers. Forty five single rooted human anterior teeth were instrumented and randomly divided into three experimental groups of 15 teeth each. All teeth in the experimental groups were obturated with laterally condensed gutta percha technique. Teeth in the first group were sealed using Zinc-Oxide (ZnO) based sealer and those of second group using Calcium Hydroxide (CaOH) based root canal sealer. Third experimental group was sealed using HA from School of Engineering USM. Teeth were then suspended in 2% methylene blue. After this, teeth were demineralized dehydrated and cleared. Linear dye penetration was determined under magnifying lense with calibrated eye piece. Statistical analyses of the linear dye penetration were performed with Kruskal Wallis test. The intergroup comparison between HA and ZnO groups and CaOH groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. The dye penetration for group which were sealed with HA exhibited the lowest penetration and it showed that there was a statistically significant difference both between HA and ZnO groups and also between HA and CaOH groups (p < 0.001).In conclusion, it was found that value added HA based endodontic material which were produced by USM can be used as a root canal sealing materials when it used in combination with epoxy resin since it leaked comparatively less as compared to ZnO and CaOH sealers. Before reaching a definitive conclusion, this material requires further extensive exploration both clinically and in vitro

Molecular pathogenicity of 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid, unique metabolites in radicular cysts and periapical granulomas

Recently, 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid were identified as unique metabolites in radicular cysts and periapical granuloma, respectively. However, the biological roles of these metabolites were unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) effects of 1-nonadecene, and the inflammatory and collagen precipitation effects of l-lactic acid on both periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PdLFs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PdLFs and PBMCs were treated with 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid. Cytokines’ expression was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and macrophage polarization markers were measured using flow cytometry. The collagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and released cytokines were measured using collagen assay, western blot, and Luminex assay, respectively. In PdLFs, 1-nonadecene enhances inflammation through the upregulation of some inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12A, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) α. 1-Nonadecene also induced MET through the upregulation of E-cadherin and the downregulation of N-cadherin in PdLFs. 1-Nonadecene polarized macrophages to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and suppressed their cytokines’ release. l-lactic acid exerted a differential impact on the inflammation and proliferation markers. Intriguingly, l-lactic acid induced fibrosis-like effects by enhancing collagen synthesis, while inhibiting MMP-1 release in PdLFs. These results provide a deeper understanding of 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid’s roles in modulating the microenvironment of the periapical area. Consequently, further clinical investigation can be employed for target therapy

Sealing abillity of hydroxyapatite as a root canal sealer: in vitro study

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is the most thermodynamically synthetic calcium phosphate cement, and has indicated useful as a sealer because can seal a furcation perforation, is shown to be biocompatible and also has potential to promote the healing of bone in endodontic therapy. The objective of this study is to determine the sealing ability of HA produced by School of Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) when used as a sealer in root canal obturation, compare with Tubli-seal (Zinc-Oxide base) and Sealapax (Calcium Hydroxyde base) sealers. Forty five single rooted human anterior teeth were instrumented and randomly divided into three experimental groups of 15 teeth each. All teeth in the experimental groups were obturated with laterally condensed gutta percha technique. Teeth in the first group were sealed using Zinc-Oxide (ZnO) based sealer and those of second group using Calcium Hydroxide (CaOH) based root canal sealer. Third experimental group was sealed using HA from School of Engineering USM. Teeth were then suspended in 2% methylene blue. After this, teeth were demineralized dehydrated and cleared. Linear dye penetration was determined under magnifying lense with calibrated eye piece. Statistical analyses of the linear dye penetration were performed with Kruskal Wallis test. The intergroup comparison between HA and ZnO groups and CaOH groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. The dye penetration for group which were sealed with HA exhibited the lowest penetration and it showed that there was a statistically significant difference both between HA and ZnO groups and also between HA and CaOH groups (p < 0.001).In conclusion, it was found that value added HA based endodontic material which were produced by USM can be used as a root canal sealing materials when it used in combination with epoxy resin since it leaked comparatively less as compared to ZnO and CaOH sealers. Before reaching a definitive conclusion, this material requires further extensive exploration both clinically and in vitro