Development and Characterization of Curcumin-Silver Nanoparticles as a Promising Formulation to Test on Human Pterygium-Derived Keratinocytes

Pterygium is a progressive disease of the human eye arising from sub-conjunctival tissue and extending onto the cornea. Due to its invasive growth, pterygium can reach the pupil compromising visual function. Currently available medical treatments have limited success in suppressing efficiently the disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that curcumin, polyphenol isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, induces apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner showing promising activity in the treatment of this ophthalmic disease. However, this molecule is not very soluble in water in either neutral or acidic pH and is only slightly more soluble in alkaline conditions, while its dissolving in organic solvents drastically reduces its potential use for biomedical applications. A nanoformulation of curcumin stabilized silver nanoparticles (Cur-AgNPs) seems an effective strategy to increase the bioavailability of curcumin without inducing toxic effects. In fact, silver nitrates have been used safely for the treatment of many ophthalmic conditions and diseases for a long time and the concentration of AgNPs in this formulation is quite low. The synthesis of this new compound was achieved through a modified Bettini's method adapted to improve the quality of the product intended for human use. Indeed, the pH of the reaction was changed to 9, the temperature of the reaction was increased from 90 °C to 100 °C and after the synthesis the Cur-AgNPs were dispersed in Borax buffer using a dialysis step to improve the biocompatibility of the formulation. This new compound will be able to deliver both components (curcumin and silver) at the same time to the affected tissue, representing an alternative and a more sophisticated strategy for the treatment of human pterygium. Further in vitro and in vivo assays will be required to validate this formulation

Microbiocenosis of periodontal pockets of patients with generalized aggressive severe periodontitis according to real time PCR

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of the five most aggressive periopathogens in patients with generalized aggressive severe periodontitis before treatment. A total of 86 systemic healthy people, from 11 to 35 years old, were included in the study. Real time PCR was used for detection of periopathogens. The quantity of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola in patients with aggressive periodontitis was significantly higher than in patients with chronic periodontitis.Целью исследования было изучить содержание пяти наиболее патогенных микроорганизмов у пациентов с агрессивным генерализованным пародонтитом тяжелой степени до лечения. Всего в исследование было включено 86 соматически сохранных пациентов от 11 до 35 лет. Для детекции пародонтопатогенов использовали метод ПЦР в реальном времени. Частота выявления и количество Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis и Treponema denticola у больных агрессивным пародонтитом было статистически значимо выше, чем у пациентов с хроническим пародонтитом

Microbiological evaluation of the effectiveness of complex treatment of aggressive periodontitis with laser curettage of periodontal pockets

The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of complex treatment including curettage using a diode laser in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. A total of 112 systemic healthy people, from 11 to 35 years old, were included in the study. The real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used for detection of periopathogens. The present study showed that the complex treatment may lead to a significant reduction of periopathogens over the 1 - year monitoring period. After the first stage of treatment identifying the most aggressive microorganisms P.g., T.f. and T.d. in an amount of more than 105 decreased from over 60 % to 32 %, 39 % and 34 % respectively. After 1 month of using diode laser incidence of these bacteria has decreased even more and reached 9 %, 19 % and 11 % respectively. Median content of anaerobic microorganisms decreased from more than 106 before treatment to 103 after 1 month of using a diode laser. The results were maintained over one year of observations with regular maintenance therapy.Целью работы было изучение эффективности комплексного лечения, включающего лазерный юоретаж, у больных с генерализованным агрессивным пародонтитом. В общей сложности 112 соматически здоровых людей в возрасте от 11 до 35 лет были включены в исследование. Метод полимеразной цепной реакции в реальном времени (ПЦР-РВ) использовали для обнаружения пародонтопатогенных бактерий. Настоящее исследование показало, что комплексное лечение приводит к существенному сокращению содержания основных пародонтопатогенов в течение 1 года наблюдения. После первого этапа лечения, идентификация наиболее агрессивных микроорганизмов P.g., T.f. и T.d. в количестве, превышающем 105, снизилась с более чем 60% до 32%, 39% и 34% соответственно. Через 1 месяц после использования диодного лазера частота встречаемости этих бактерий еще больше уменьшилась и составила 9 %, 19 % и 11% соответственно. Медианы содержания анаэробных микроорганизмов снижались с более чем 106 до лечения до 103 через 1 месяц после использования диодного лазера. Достигнутые результаты сохранялись в течение одного года наблюдений при регулярном проведении поддерживающей терапии