Effect of Cyclosporin A and Angiotensin II on cytosolic calcium levels in primary human gingival fibroblasts

Background: To evaluate the effect of Cyclosporin A (CsA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) on cytosolic calcium levels in cultured human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Materials and Methods: Healthy gingival samples from six volunteers were obtained, and primary HGFs were cultured. Cell viability and proliferation assay were performed to identify the ideal concentrations of CsA and Ang II. Cytosolic calcium levels in cultured gingival fibroblasts treated with CsA and Ang II were studied using colorimetric assay, confocal and fluorescence imaging. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS software and GraphPad Prism. Results: Higher levels of cytosolic levels were evident in cells treated with CsA and Ang II when compared to control group and was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in both colorimetric assay and confocal imaging. Fluorescent images of the cultured HGFs revealed the same. Conclusion: Thus calcium being a key player in major cellular functions, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival overgrowth

Potential uses of Adhatoda Vasica in orthodontics

Plaque control, pain control, and modulation of inflammatory mediators to accelerate or stabilize tooth movements are hot issues in orthodontics. The recent advent of phytochemicals as biological mediators has opened new vistas in the aforementioned areas of orthodontics. Adhatoda vasica has caught the attention of investigators due to multiple properties related to orthodontics. This study addresses the potential areas of use of A. vasica in orthodontics, which provide ideas for further investigations. A. vasica possesses antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, anti-oxidant effect, anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic effect, osteogenic, and osteoclastic activities. A. vasica has huge potential in orthodontics, whereas all these vistas need careful and methodical testing before use in clinical orthodontics. In the future, investigators can focus on these aspects of the use of A. vasica to develop products

Role of CD14+ CD16+ Monocytes in the Pathogenesis of Periodontitis Associated Systemic Diseases

Monocytes are immune cells that form an important bridge between the innate and adaptive immune response. These cells exist in various phenotypes based on cell surface marker expression and participate in the pathobiology of many systemic diseases. Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of the tooth attachment apparatus caused by microbial assault from the dental plaque biofilm. It is noteworthy that monocytes play a key role in mediating tissue destruction in periodontitis. The CD14+ CD16+ monocytes that bear both the surface markers are especially involved and upregulated in periodontitis and produce increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines following microbial challenge. In this context and exploring the available literature, the present chapter aims to unravel the role of CD14+ CD16+ monocytes in periodontitis and systemic disease and also aims to elucidate the possible pathways by which periodontitis could be a key risk factor for systemic disease based on monocyte selection and participation

Influence of heat treated files on conserving the remaining dentin thickness during endodontic retreatment – An invitro CBCT study

Objectives: Non-surgical endodontic retreatment is to be a conservative option over endodontic surgery in case of recurrent infections. Root canal retreatment procedures needs to be initiated faster and proficiently with proper root canal retreatment files. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the remaining root dentin thickness post Gutta Percha (GP) retrieval from the root canal after using two different rotary instruments. Materials and methods: A total of sixty extracted single rooted teeth were chosen. Shaping and Cleaning was done Step Back (Telescopic) technique with apical preparation of size 40 k File. Irrigation was carried out using NaOCl (3 %) and Ethyelenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to clear the smear layer. The canals were dried using paper points and obturation was completed using lateral compaction technique with AH plus resin sealer. Upon completing the obturation, it was categorized into two groups: Group I- ProTaper retreatment files (PTR) and Group II- Solite RS3 (S-RS3) Retreatment files. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) was used to assess the remaining dentin thickness post gutta-percha retrieval at 3,5 and 7 mm respectively. To test the significance between groups independent t test was used. Results: It can be noted from the results that more amount of remaining dentin thickness was seen after using Solite RS3 files at 3 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm on the mesial side compared to ProTaper retreatment files (p  0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that Solite RS3 files have the potential to preserve the remaining dentin thickness. However, more studies including various other parameters should be performed to arrive at a definitive conclusion

Resveratrol and Its Natural Analogues Inhibit RNA Dependant RNA Polymerase (RdRp) of Rhizopus oryzae in Mucormycosis through Computational Investigations

Mucormycosis (or black fungus infection) is a life-threatening, but rare fungal infection with predominant occurrence in immunosuppressed patients following the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rhizopus oryzae (R. O.) causes about 70% of all cases of mucormycosis. RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a key fungal protein implicated in the genome replication and multiplication of R. oryzae. In view of biological significance of resveratrol (RES), rich in grape skin extract, on various microbial infections and inflammatory diseases including gum infections and periodontitis, our present study was aimed at in silico investigation of RES and its two natural analogues, piceatannol (3,5,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene, PIC), and 3,5,4'-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (TMS) for their development as successful antifungal agents targeting the R. O. specific RdRp to combat the deadly mucormycosis. Due to the unavailability of the three-dimensional structure of R. O. RdRp in the Protein Database Bank (PDB), the protein structure of RdRp was modeled using the target sequence of RT/Duplex (Set-Met) (PDB ID: 6AR3, 3.41 angstrom) by homology modeling. Using the modeled structure of R. O. RdRp, docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were carried out in Schrodinger suite version 2021-2 software. The findings of docking, MD simulations and MM-PBSA binding energies conclude that the RES, PIC and TMS possess predictable and stable binding affinity/interactions to the R. O. RdRp. These bioactive compounds could potentially inhibit the activity of R. O. RdRp. Further, density function theory (DFT) analysis (B3LYP, 6-311 G* basis set) was performed, and results of DFT analysis indicate that the compound PIC could be a more potential inhibitor for R. O. RdRp over RES. In in silico drug-likeness and ADMET prediction studies, all of the compounds exhibited acceptable drug-likeness, the Lipinski's rule of five and pharmacokinetic parameters. Finally, it can be concluded that RES and its two natural analogues, PIC and TMS are the potential inhibitors of R. O. RdRp based on docking, MD and DFT studies

The Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined with Single Flap Periodontal Surgery in the Management of Intrabony Periodontal Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed at assessing the clinical outcomes of the Single Flap Approach (SFA) with the additional use of Low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The defects were treated as per the principles of SFA, whereby 20 defects received only SFA (control group) and 20 defects received additional LLLT for bio stimulation/bio modulation (test group). Stable primary closure of the flaps was obtained with vertical internal mattress sutures. Plaque indices (FMPS), clinical attachment levels (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), and gingival bleeding scores (FMBS) were calculated at baseline, and at the 3rd and 6th months in both groups. An EHI score of 1 was observed at all sites except for two, where a score of 2 in the control group at week 2 was observed. In the test group, the PPD reduction at 6 months was 3.60 &plusmn; 0.95 and in the control group it was 3.75 &plusmn; 0.91 mm. CAL gain at 6 months was 2.70 &plusmn; 1.36 mm and 3.45 &plusmn; 1.2 mm in the test group and showed no statistical significance. These data suggested the positive effect of LLLT over CAL gain; thus, LLLT may be combined with SFA to potentially enhance the early wound healing and higher clinical outcomes in terms of increase in CAL and decrease in PPD

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles as Root Canal Irrigant’s: A Systematic Review

Removal of microbes is imperative during endodontic therapy. Due to their antimicrobial property, silver nanoparticles have been used for endodontic irrigation of the root canals. The objective of the present study was to provide a qualitative analysis of the published literature assessing silver nanoparticles as root canal irrigants. A search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Embase databases was done without any time restriction. Articles published in English were included. Data were extracted and the risk of bias was assessed. Of the 154 studies identified, after screening according to the inclusion criteria, five in vitro studies were included. The results indicate that silver nanoparticles have an anti-microbial effect to varying degrees depending on certain factors. Within the limitations of the present studies that have a moderate to low risk of bias, an antimicrobial effect of silver nanoparticles is observed. Silver nanoparticles have the potential to be used as endodontic irrigants, although their efficacy depends on particle size and the duration of contact which require further investigation

The Expression of Allele Changes in NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) Gene Polymorphisms in Periodontitis and Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Inflammasomes have been shown to play a pivotal role in periodontal disease pathogenesis. However, their role in periodontitis subjects with coronary heart disease remains unclear. This study aimed to obtain the expression of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) gene polymorphisms in the subgingival plaque and blood samples of generalized periodontitis (GP) subjects with and without coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: A total of 70 subjects were grouped into two; GP and GP with CHD. Demographic variables and periodontal and cardiac parameters were recorded from both the groups. Subgingival plaque and blood samples were obtained from both the groups and were further subjected to the identification of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) expression and allele change using a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing (Sanger’s method). Results: Amongst the demographic variables, age and monthly income were statistically significant between the two groups. Plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density-lipoprotein (LDL) exhibited statistically significant levels between the two groups. The NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) genes showed a statistically significant association with allele change (frequency) among the groups. The general comparison of all the parameters with the allele change of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) in the subgingival plaque and blood samples showed statistically significant associations among the two groups. Conclusion: The present study highlighted an allele change in IL-1β (+3954) gene polymorphisms which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and coronary heart disease

Dose-Dependent Effects of Melatonin on the Viability, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs)

(1) Background: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are derived from pulp tissue lodged within human teeth and are mesenchymal in origin. These DPSCs have been demonstrated to dissociate into clusters of various cell lineages and are very easy to isolate, culture, and expand. Melatonin, a multifaceted molecule with a spectrum of effects in the human body, is known to influence stem cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation, but little is known about the impact melatonin has on the capacity of DPSCs to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. The primary objective of this research was to explore the impact that melatonin has on proliferation, and the capacity of DPSCs to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. (2) Methodology: DPSCs were extracted from 12 healthy human teeth, cultured, and expanded. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the surface stem cell markers. Further, melatonin was added to the cultured DPSCs in various concentrations, to assess cytotoxicity using an MTT assay. Following this, the DPSCs were tested for their proliferative ability, as well as adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation capabilities under the influence of variable concentrations of melatonin. (3) Results: DPSCs obtained from human teeth demonstrated surface characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells, as shown by the positive expression of CD105, CD90, and CD73 markers. An MTT cytotoxicity assay revealed that melatonin was well tolerated by the cells at low (1 &micro;M) and high (25 &micro;M) concentrations. Assessment of DPSC cell differentiation elucidated that melatonin at 1 &micro;M and 25 &micro;M concentrations with the induction media stimulated DPSCs to differentiate into osteocytes, but did not have much influence on adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. (4) Conclusions: Melatonin could be used in stem cell and tissue engineering applications for osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs and could protect these cells due to its cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant roles, in addition to being an osteopromoter molecule