Down-regulation of transforming growth factor beta-2 expression is associated with the reduction of cyclosporin induced gingival overgrowth in rats treated with roxithromycin: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gingival overgrowth (GO) is a common side effect of the chronic use of cyclosporine (CsA), an immunosuppressant widely used to prevent rejection in transplant patients. Recent studies have reported elevated levels of specific cytokines in gingival overgrowth tissue, particularly TGF-beta, suggesting that this growth factor plays a role in the accumulation of extracellular matrix materials. The effectiveness of azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, in the regression of this undesirable side effect has also been demonstrated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we created an experimental model for assessing the therapeutic effect of roxithromycin in GO and the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta2) through immunohistochemistry. We used four groups of rats totaling 32 individuals. GO was induced during five weeks and drug treatment was given on the 6th week as follows: group 1 received saline; group 2 received CsA and was treated with saline on the 6th week; group 3 received CsA and, on the 6th week, ampicilin; and group 4 received CsA during 5 weeks and, on the 6th week, was treated with roxithromycin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results demonstrated that roxithromycin treatment was effective in reducing cyclosporine-induced GO in rats. Both epithelial and connective tissue showed a decrease in thickness and a significant reduction in TGF-beta2 expression, with a lower number of fibroblasts, reduction in fibrotic areas and decrease in inflammatory infiltrate.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present data suggest that the down-regulation of TGF-beta2 expression may be an important mechanism of action by which roxithromycin inhibits GO.</p

Efeitos da terapia a laser de baixa intensidade na evolução da cicatrização de lesões em humanos: a contribuição dos estudos experimentais in vitro e in vivo

Low-level laser therapy is an important method for the treatment of healing processes, and several experimental studies have been carried out in search of a greater understanding of its therapeutic possibilities. The objective of this study was to review pathogenetic aspects of soft tissue repair to better understand skin lesion healing and the role of low-intensity laser in the progression of tissue healing. This study consists of a concise review of scientific literature data on the use of low-level laser and its influence on wound healing. Many studies have extensively covered the effects of using laser radiation in tissues, describing its beneficial aspects in tissue healing. However, many unanswered questions demand research on the mechanism of action and on parameters of low-level laser use in different stages of wound repair to clarify how this method acts at a cell level in healing processes.Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaUniversidade Federal FluminenseUFJF Centro de Biologia da Reprodução Laboratory of Immunopathology and Experimental PathologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Waist circumference measured before the 12th week of pregnancy: correlation with serum leptin levels

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between maternal waist circumference measured before the 12th week of gestation and serum leptin levels during pregnancy, as well as to compare the leptin levels of women with and without abdominal obesity diagnosed in early pregnancy. METHODS: Prospective study including 40 pregnant women receiving low-risk prenatal care, older than 20 years, nonsmokers, with singleton pregnancies and without chronic disease. Waist circumference was measured before the 12th week and serum leptin levels were measured between the 9th and 12th, 25th and 28th and 34th and 37th weeks of gestation. According to waist circumference measurement, the cohort was divided into two groups: with and without abdominal obesity. The Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests were used to assess the differences between groups. The Pearson correlation coeffient was used to assess the association between waist circumference and serum leptin levels during pregnancy. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean weight and body mass index of patients with abdominal obesity (74.4±11.0 kg/28.9±4.1) was higher than that of patients without abdominal obesity (55.6±5.9 kg/21.1±2.4) (p=0.001). The mean leptin levels in pregnant patients with abdominal obesity (41.9±3.5 ng/mL) was higher than in patients without abdominal obesity (23.6±2.7 ng/mL) (p<0.0002). A positive correlation was obtained between the waist circumference measured during the same period and the mean serum leptin levels (r=0.7; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference measured before the 12th week of pregnancy is a valid and simple method to predict the serum leptin levels throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women with abdominal obesity diagnosed before 12th week have higher mean serum leptin levels during pregnancy than those without abdominal obesity.OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a correlação entre a circunferência abdominal materna, medida antes da 12ª semana de gestação, e os níveis séricos de leptina durante a gravidez, bem como, comparar os níveis médios de leptina entre gestantes com e sem obesidade abdominal, diagnosticada no início da gestação. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo incluindo 40 gestantes atendidas no pré-natal de baixo risco, superiores a 20 anos, não tabagistas, com gestação única, e sem doenças crônicas intercorrentes. A circunferência abdominal foi medida antes da 12ª semana, e os níveis séricos de leptina dosados entre a 9ª e a 12ª, a 25ª e a 28ª e entre a 34ª e a 37ª semanas de gestação. De acordo com a circunferência abdominal, a coorte foi dividida em dois grupos: com e sem obesidade abdominal. Os testes de Mann-Whitney e do χ2 avaliaram as diferenças entre os grupos. A correlação de Pearson verificou a associação entre a circunferência abdominal e os níveis séricos de leptina durante a gestação. Considerou-se o valor de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A média do peso e do índice de massa corpórea das pacientes com obesidade abdominal (74,4±11,0 kg/28,99±4,1) foi maior do que naquelas sem obesidade abdominal (55,6±5,9 kg/21,1±2,40) (p=0,001). A média dos níveis séricos de leptina no grupo das gestantes com obesidade abdominal (41,9±3,5 ng/mL) foi superior ao grupo das pacientes sem obesidade abdominal (23,6±2,7 ng/mL) (p<0,0002). Verificou-se, também, correlação entre a medida da circunferência abdominal e a média dos níveis séricos de leptina (r=0,7; p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: A circunferência abdominal medida antes da 12ª semana de gestação é um método válido e simples para se predizer os níveis séricos de leptina durante todo o período gestacional. Gestantes com obesidade abdominal diagnosticada antes da 12ª semana apresentam níveis médios de leptina sérica, durante a gravidez, superiores àquelas sem obesidade abdominal

Resumos - Anais do I Fórum Científico e Tecnológico em Odontologia de Juiz de Fora

REVISTA INTERDISCIPLINAR DE ESTUDOS EXPERIMENTAIS Animais e Humanos RESUMOS Anais do I Fórum Científico e Tecnológico em Odontologia de Juiz de For

Bone neoformation induced by low level laser and methylene blue suggest early ossification in rats: Laser and methylene blue induces bone neoformation

Introduction: Bone healing depends on inflammation control and tissue repair time. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been investigated to accelerate this process. Methylene blue (MB), together with LLLT, has been investigated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, however, the effects of photosensitizers (PDT) are controversial. Objective: To verify whether the combination of MB and LLLT changes the course of the consolidation of experimental bone defects. Methods: Sixteen Wistar rats underwent femoral bone defects. In the control group (n = 4), LLLT simulations were performed without MB. The MB group (n = 4) received MB and simulation of LLLT. The LLLT group (n = 4) was exposed to LLLT. The PDT + LLLT group (n = 4) received MB and LLLT. At the end of seven or 14 days, the animals were euthanized, and samples were collected. Results: PDT and LLLT induced osteogenic formation with cellularity (after seven days) and union of bony edges (14 days). On the seventh day, LLLT combined with PDT induced an increase (p &lt;0.05) of 484% in the area of bone neoformation compared to the control. On the fourteenth day, LLLT combined with PDT or alone increased (p &lt;0.05) area of bone neoformation by 214% and 240 %, respectively, compared to the control group. The PDT/LLLT combination was associated with increased radiopacity (p &lt;0.038). Conclusion: The combined use of MB with LLLT initiated during the transoperative phase may stimulate the bone repair process in rats