Applications of Titanium Dioxide Nanostructure in Stomatology

Breakthroughs in the field of nanotechnology, especially in nanochemistry and nanofabrication technologies, have been attracting much attention, and various nanomaterials have recently been developed for biomedical applications. Among these nanomaterials, nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) has been widely valued in stomatology due to the fact of its excellent biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and photocatalytic activity as well as its potential use for applications such as dental implant surface modification, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, drug delivery carrier, dental material additives, and oral tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, the biosafety of nano-TiO2 is controversial and has become a key constraint in the development of nano-TiO2 applications in stomatology. Therefore, in this review, we summarize recent research regarding the applications of nano-TiO2 in stomatology, with an emphasis on its performance characteristics in different fields, and evaluations of the biological security of nano-TiO2 applications. In addition, we discuss the challenges, prospects, and future research directions regarding applications of nano-TiO2 in stomatology that are significant and worthy of further exploration

Expression and functional role of Rho-kinase in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle

1. The involvement of Rho-kinase (ROCK) in the contractile mechanisms mediating smooth muscle contraction of the rat urinary bladder was investigated using expression studies and the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. 2. Both isoforms of ROCK (ROCK I and ROCK II) were detected in high levels in rat urinary bladder. 3. Y-27632 (10 μM) significantly attenuated contractions of rat urinary bladder strips evoked by the G-protein coupled receptor agonists carbachol (58.1±10.5% at 0.3 μM) and neurokinin A (68.6±12.7% at 1 μM) without affecting contractions to potassium chloride (10–100 mM). In addition, basal tone was reduced by 47.8±2.0% by 10 μM Y-27632 in the absence of stimulation. 4. Contractions of urinary bladder strips evoked by the P2X receptor agonist α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-mATP; 10 μM) were also attenuated by Y-27632 (30.0±7.2% at 10 μM). 5. Y-27632 (10 μM) significantly attenuated contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (2–16 Hz). The effect of Y-27632 on the tonic portion of the neurogenic response (4–16 Hz) was not significantly different from the effect of atropine (1 μM) alone. 6. While the mechanism underlying the ability of Y-27632 to inhibit α,β-mATP-evoked contractions remains undetermined, the results of the present study clearly demonstrate a role for ROCK in the regulation of rat urinary bladder smooth muscle contraction and tone