Raloxifene and Selective Cell Cycle Specific Agents: A Case for the Inclusion of Raloxifene in Current Breast Cancer Treatment Therapies

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Contributing factors include age and/or chemotherapy. The selective estrogen modulator, raloxifene (RAL), effective in the prevention of breast cancer and approved for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, may prove beneficial in current breast cancer treatment modules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate RAL in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and trimetrexate (TMX) to determine the most effective sequence in which to administer these cell cycle specific agents while taking into consideration the cellular mechanism of action. The goal was to maintain cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells and capitalize on the selective estrogen receptor modulatory effects of RAL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCF-7 cells were exposed to (i) TMX, 5-FU or RAL alone, or (ii) RAL 24 h prior to 5-FU followed 2 h later by TMX, or (iii) 5-FU 2 h prior to TMX followed 24 h later by RAL. The cell viability was determined using the Quick Cell Proliferation Assay. RESULTS: The growth rate of MCF- 7 cells exposed to early RAL was 68.25 +/- 4.11% that of the control, however, late RAL exposure produced a growth of 34.75 +/- 4.79% that of the control. Late RAL maintained the cytotoxicity of the regimen. The findings were further supported by cell flow cytometry and Western blot analysis data. CONCLUSION: RAL given prior to 5-FU/TMX significantly compromised cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells

Statin use is associated with fewer periodontal lesions: A retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammatory processes are considered to participate in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins have been used successfully in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease. Chronic periodontitis has been suggested to contribute to CVD. The aim of this study was to examine the association of statin use and clinical markers of chronic periodontitis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Periodontal probing pocket depth (PPD) values were collected from dental records of 100 consecutive adult patients referred to a university dental clinic for treatment of advanced chronic periodontitis. A novel index, Periodontal Inflammatory Burden Index (PIBI), was derived from the PPD values to estimate systemic effects of periodontitis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Periodontitis patients taking statins had a 37% lower number of pathological periodontal pockets than those without statin medication (P = 0.00043). PIBI, which combines and unifies the data on PPD, was 40% smaller in statin using patients than in patients without statin (P = 0.00069). PIBI of subjects on simvastatin and atorvastatin both differed significantly from patients without statin and were on the same level. The subjects' number of teeth had no effect on the results</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients on statin medication exhibit fewer signs of periodontal inflammatory injury than subjects without the statin regimen. PIBI provides a tool for monitoring inflammatory load of chronic periodontitis. The apparent beneficial effects of statins may in part be mediated by their pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effect on periodontal tissue.</p

Dental management in patients with hypertension: challenges and solutions

Janet H Southerland,1 Danielle G Gill,1 Pandu R Gangula,2&ndash;4 Leslie R Halpern,1 Cesar Y Cardona,5 Charles P Mouton6 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2Department of Oral Biology and Research, 3Department of Physiology, 4Center for Women&#39;s Health Research, 5Department of Internal Medicine, 6Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA Abstract: Hypertension is a chronic illness affecting more than a billion people worldwide. The high prevalence of the disease among the American population is concerning and must be considered when treating dental patients. Its lack of symptoms until more serious problems occur makes the disease deadly. Dental practitioners can often be on the frontlines of prevention of hypertension by evaluating preoperative blood pressure readings, performing risk assessments, and knowing when to consider medical consultation of a hypertensive patient in a dental setting. In addition, routine follow-up appointments and patients seen on an emergent basis, who may otherwise not be seen routinely, allow the oral health provider an opportunity to diagnose and refer for any unknown disease. It is imperative to understand the risk factors that may predispose patients to hypertension and to be able to educate them about their condition. Most importantly, the oral health care provider is in a pivotal position to play an active role in the management of patients presenting with a history of hypertension because many antihypertensive agents interact with pharmacologic agents used in the dental practice. The purpose of this review is to provide strategies for managing and preventing complications when treating the patient with hypertension who presents to the dental office. Keywords: high blood pressure, dental, guidelines, inflammation, metabolic disease, blood pressure medicine