Stanozolol promotes lipid deposition in the aorta through an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines and oxidative status in LDLr knockout mice fed a normal diet

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an anabolic steroid, stanozolol, in a model of atherosclerosis and to investigate the involvement of the modulation of the inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in vascular lipid deposition. Low‐density lipid receptor‐deficient (LDLr?/?) mice were fed a standard chow diet and were each week injected subcutaneously either saline (control C group) or 20 mg/kg stanozolol (S group). After 8 weeks, the levels of cholesterol, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and cytokines were measured in plasma, lipid deposition in aorta was evaluated by en face analysis, and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and oxidation protein were determined in liver. The S group demonstrated increases in vascular lipid deposition, triglycerides and non‐HDL cholesterol levels. Stanozolol increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and decreased interleukin‐10 as well as increased the TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratio. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the S group, as indicated by an increase in the plasma OxLDL, as well as by lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins in the liver. Chronic treatment with stanozolol promoted lipid deposition in the LDLr^?/? mice that could be attributed to a modification of the circulating cytokine levels and systemic oxidative stress. Our results suggest that the anabolic steroid stanozolol in the absence of functional LDL receptors by increasing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may increase the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis.     

Peel bond strength of resilient liner modified by the addition of antimicrobial agents to denture base acrylic resin

In order to prolong the clinical longevity of resilient denture relining materials and reduce plaque accumulation, incorporation of antimicrobial agents into these materials has been proposed. However, this addition may affect their properties.

Objective

This study evaluated the effect of the addition of antimicrobial agents into one soft liner (Soft Confort, Dencril) on its peel bond strength to one denture base (QC 20, Dentsply).

Material and Methods

Acrylic specimens (n=9) were made (75x10x3 mm) and stored in distilled water at 37ºC for 48 h. The drug powder concentrations (nystatin 500,000U - G2; nystatin 1,000,000U - G3; miconazole 125 mg - G4; miconazole 250 mg - G5; ketoconazole 100 mg - G6; ketoconazole 200 mg - G7; chlorhexidine diacetate 5% - G8; and 10% chlorhexidine diacetate - G9) were blended with the soft liner powder before the addition of the soft liner liquid. A group (G1) without any drug incorporation was used as control. Specimens (n=9) (75x10x6 mm) were plasticized according to the manufacturers'' instructions and stored in distilled water at 37ºC for 24 h. Relined specimens were then submitted to a 180-degree peel test at a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min. Data (MPa) were analyzed by analysis of variance (α=0.05) and the failure modes were visually classified.

Results

No significant difference was found among experimental groups (p=0.148). Cohesive failure located within the resilient material was predominantly observed in all tested groups.

Conclusions

Peel bond strength between the denture base and the modified soft liner was not affected by the addition of antimicrobial agents.     

Prediabetes: diagnosis, evaluation of chronic complications, and treatment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with macro- and microvascular complications of high morbidity and mortality. Individuals with increased risk for type 2 diabetes include those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and especially those with combined IFG and IGT. These individuals are part of a group known as prediabetes patients. Approximately 25% of individuals with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in three to five years. Hyperglycemia, in the absence of diabetes, is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that changes in lifestyle and drug interventions are effective in delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes in patients with prediabetes. Metformin is the drug of choice when medical treatment is warranted. IGT and IFG are associated with type 2 diabetes and, despite controversy, most studies reinforce the importance of these conditions in the development of micro- and macrovascular disease. Thus, therapeutic interventions in patients with prediabetes are important in primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications.     

Can fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels predict oral complications following invasive dental procedures in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus? A preliminary case-control study

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effects of the levels of glycemic control on the frequency of clinical complications following invasive dental treatments in type 2 diabetic patients and suggest appropriate levels of fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin considered to be safe to avoid these complications.

METHOD:

Type 2 diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients were selected and divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 13 type 2 diabetic patients with adequate glycemic control (fasting blood glucose levels <140 mg/dl and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels <7%). Group II consisted of 15 type 2 diabetic patients with inadequate glycemic control (fasting blood glucose levels >140 mg/dl and HbA1c levels >7%). Group III consisted of 18 non-diabetic patients (no symptoms and fasting blood glucose levels <100 mg/dl). The levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated HbA1c, and fingerstick capillary glycemia were evaluated in diabetic patients prior to performing dental procedures. Seven days after the dental procedure, the frequency of clinical complications (surgery site infections and systemic infections) was examined and compared between the three study groups. In addition, correlations between the occurrence of these outcomes and the glycemic control of diabetes mellitus were evaluated.

RESULTS:

The frequency of clinical outcomes was low (4/43; 8.6%), and no significant differences between the outcome frequencies of the various study groups were observed (p>0.05). However, a significant association was observed between clinical complications and dental extractions (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS:

Because of the low frequency of clinical outcomes, it was not possible to determine whether fasting blood glucose or glycated HbA1c levels are important for these clinical outcomes.     

An epidemiological scoring system for tooth wear and dental erosive wear

Background: The prevalence and severity of tooth wear and dental erosion is rising in children and there is no consensus about an index to be employed. Aim: To assess the reliability of an epidemiological scoring system dental wear index (DWI) to measure tooth wear and dental erosive wear. Design: An epidemiological cross‐sectional survey was conducted to evaluate and compare tooth wear and dental erosion using the dental wear index and erosion wear index (EWI). The study was conducted with randomised samples of 2,371 children aged between 4 years and 12 years selected from the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Records were used for calculating tooth wear and dental erosion; the incisal edge and canine cusp were excluded. Results: As the schoolchildren's ages increased the severity of primary tooth wear increased in canines (P = 0.0001, OR = 0.34) and molars (P = 0.0001, OR = 2.47) and erosion wear increased in incisal/occlusal (P = 0.0001, OR = 5.18) and molars (P = 0.0001, OR = 2.47). There was an increased prevalence of wear in the permanent teeth of older schoolchildren, particularly on the incisal/occlusal surfaces (P = 0.0001, OR = 7.03). Conclusion: The prevalence of tooth wear and dental erosion increased as age increased in children. The epidemiological scoring system Dental Wear Index is able to measure both tooth wear and dental erosive wear. This index should be used to monitor the progression of non‐carious lesions and to evaluate the levels of disease in the population.     

Negative correlation between D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels is absent in obese women

Obesity is characterized by alterations in haemostatic processes that lead to a prothrombotic state. D-dimer (D-Di) is the last product of the fibrinolysis and may reflect the haemostatic balance. As the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis and it is elevated in obese, we hypothesize that negative correlation exists between PAI-1 and D-Di. In addition, we evaluated if plasma levels of PAI-1 and D-Di may be correlated with clinical parameters of adiposity [waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)]. We measured plasma PAI-1 and D-Di concentrations using ELISA in 60 women: 21 lean women without comorbidities and 39 obese women. We found higher levels of D-Di and PAI-1 in obese groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed between obese and obese untreated hypertensives. PAI-1 levels, but not of D-Di, are positively correlated with BMI (control, r = 0.44) and WHR (all obese, r = 0.40). Negative correlation was found between PAI-1 and D-Di in control (r = -0.56), no association was observed in obese, signalizing to a particular attention regarding the clinical use of D-Di. Our results indicate the magnitude of central obesity as a risk factor for development of disorders related to prothrombotic states.