Attenuation of radiation‐ and chemoradiation‐induced mucositis using gamma‐d‐glutamyl‐l‐tryptophan (SCV‐07)

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 655–660 Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel immunomodulating peptide (SCV‐07) in attenuating the course of radiation‐induced mucositis in an established animal model of oral mucositis (OM). Material and Methods: In three separate experiments, golden Syrian hamsters received either an acute radiation challenge to the buccal mucosa of eight fractionated doses of 7.5 Gy of radiation over a 2‐week‐period, or a combination of acute radiation and cisplatin. In each experiment, animals were treated with varying doses or schedules of SCV‐07 or placebo. OM was scored in a blinded fashion using digital images obtained during the experimental period. Results: We found that SCV‐07 reduced the severity and duration of both acute and fractionated radiation‐induced OM. Similarly, when radiation and chemotherapy were used to induce OM, treatment with SCV‐07 significantly reduced the duration of ulcerative OM. The therapeutic benefit was dependent on both dose and schedule of administration. Conclusion: Taken together, we found SCV‐07 was able to modify the duration and severity of oral mucositis and was dependent on schedule and dose.     

Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐2 and ‐3 in gingival crevicular fluid

Takenouchi Y, Ohshima M, Yamaguchi Y, Nishida T, Senda N, Idesawa M, Otsuka K, Ito K. Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐2 and ‐3 in gingival crevicular fluid. J Periodont Res 2010; 45: 803–808. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins (IGFBPs) are crucial regulators of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF). They enhance or inhibit IGF functions, but also exhibit IGF‐independent effects. In a previous study, we detected, qualitatively, IGFBP‐2 and ‐3 in gingival crevicular fluid using a cytokine antibody array. Here we extended these results using an ELISA to determine the concentrations of IGFBP‐2 and ‐3 in gingival crevicular fluid. In addition, we explored whether the expression of IGFBP‐2 and IGFBP‐3 correlates with periodontal disease severity. Material and Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid samples from 92 sites of 12 patients affected with periodontal disease and from 100 sites of 19 healthy volunteers, were collected, divided into two groups and analyzed by ELISA for IGFBP‐2 and ‐3 expression. The potential correlation among probing depth, gingival index and the concentrations of IGFBP‐2 and ‐3 was analyzed. Results: Positive correlations were observed between the concentration of IGFBP‐2 and probing depth and gingival index, but not for IGFBP‐3. The IGFBP‐2 concentrations at bleeding on probing‐positive sites and at sites with a probing depth of ≥ 4 mm were higher than at bleeding on probing‐negative sites and at sites with a probing depth of ≤ 3 mm. Conclusion: These results indicate that IGFBP‐2 is a potential novel marker for periodontal disease progression. As IGFBP‐2 modulates bone metabolism and cell migration, IGFBP‐2 in the gingival crevicular fluid may reflect periodontal disease activity.     

The Influences of Periodontal Status and Periodontal Pathogen Quantity on Salivary 8‐Hydroxydeoxyguanosine and Interleukin‐17 Levels

Background: Periodontitis is a biofilm‐initiated disease that is characterized by elevated inflammatory status. 8‐Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) and interleukin (IL)‐17 are highly associated with inflammation and bone resorption and therefore are regarded as potential biomarkers for periodontitis. In this study, the associations between salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 levels and clinical and microbial parameters before and after non‐surgical treatment are investigated. Methods: Forty‐five patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 47 periodontally healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. Clinical parameters, including the probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), sulcular bleeding index, and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S), were examined for each participant. Microbial parameters including the quantities of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola in the subgingival plaque and saliva were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction at baseline and 1 and 3 months after the non‐surgical treatment. Salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 levels were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Compared with healthy volunteers, CP group patients had significantly higher salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 levels at baseline. Baseline salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 levels were positively correlated with all clinical parameters as well as the quantities of T. forsythia and T. denticola. After non‐surgical treatment, baseline levels of salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 were reduced significantly at both the 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐ups. The hierarchical linear model revealed that variations in the PD, CAL, and OHI‐S had significant positive effects on variation in the salivary 8‐OHdG level. However, variations in the PD; quantity of T. forsythia in the subgingival plaque; and quantities of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola in saliva were associated significantly with variation in the salivary IL‐17 levels. Conclusions: There was a strong association between salivary 8‐OHdG and IL‐17 levels and periodontitis. Variation in the salivary 8‐OHdG level was correlated with variations in the clinical parameters, whereas variation in the IL‐17 level was correlated with variation in the microbial parameters.