Increased serum sialic acid levels in primary osteoarthritis and inactive rheumatoid arthritis

Accumulation of oxidized proteins and impaired antioxidant system have been shown to be associated with arthritis. Serum sialic acid (SA) is known as a parameter of inflammation. In the present study, to explore the potential role of SA in arthritis, we measured serum SA levels, plasma protein oxidation, and antioxidant status in patients with primary osteoarthritis (POA) and inactive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inactive RA (iRA) was defined upon the American College of Rheumatology criteria for clinical remission of RA. A total of 40 patients (20 POA patients, including 4 male subjects, and 20 iRA female patients) and 20 healthy female subjects were included in this study. SA, antioxidants, and protein oxidation levels were determined spectrophotometrically in serum or plasma samples. Serum SA levels were significantly increased in POA (3.34 +/- 0.37 mM, p < 0.0001) and iRA (3.11 +/- 0.47 mM, p < 0.05), compared with healthy controls (2.41 +/- 0.16 mM). Plasma total antioxidant activity, plasma superoxide dismutase activity and serum reduced glutathione levels were significantly decreased in patients with POA and those with iRA, whereas plasma carbonyl content and serum total protein were increased in those patients. Moreover, plasma total thiol levels were significantly increased in iRA and decreased in POA. Thus, increased SA and protein oxidation levels are associated with the decreased antioxidant levels in POA and iRA patients. These results suggest that SA may be considered as a potent defense molecule against oxidative damage in arthritis. Antioxidant therapy may halt or ameliorate the progression of arthritis.     

The alterations of whole saliva constituents in patients with diabetes mellitus

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the possible alterations in whole saliva and the periodontal status in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and was conducted on 17 patients with DM and 17 systemically and periodontally healthy subjects. When the subjects were evaluated clinically, significantly increased probing depths were noticed in the DM group when compared with the healthy subjects. In whole saliva samples, sodium, potassium, total protein, amylase, thiocyanate, and secretory IgA levels were determined in both groups. Difference between the two groups regarding the mean salivary potassium levels were found to be statistically significant since the mean salivary potassium levels in the DM and the control groups were 2.470±9.04 mmol/L and 14.30±3.88 mmol/L, respectively. The mean salivary total protein, amylase and secretory IgA levels in the DM group were 2.41±1.0 mg/mL, 124.2±79.7 U/mL and 6.86±3.50 mg/L, all being significantly higher than the control group. However, no significant differences could be shown for the salivary sodium and thiocyanate levels. Nor was there any difference between non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The findings of the present study suggest that, besides the clinical examinations, the determination of the possible alterations in the composition of whole saliva might also be helpful in understanding the increased severity of periodontal disease in diabetic patients.     

Evaluation of periodontal status and cytokine/chemokine profile of GCF in patients with severe congenital neutropenia

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by defect in neutrophil count. Increased risk of infections in addition to periodontal problems, such as ulcerations of oral mucosa, gingival inflammation, and rapid loss of attachment are common in the course of the disease. The aim of the present study is to define the causal relationship between the severity of periodontal inflammation and severe congenital neutropenia through identification of cytokine profile in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). A case–control study was performed in patients diagnosed with SCN and healthy controls. Demographic data, the molecular defect, laboratory work-up were gathered from the hospital registry. Periodontal indices were recorded and GCF samples were analyzed using multiplex analysis for the simultaneous measurements of the particular cytokines and chemokines. The present study included 14 patients and 22 control subjects. Both groups were comparable in terms of age and sex. Severity of gingival inflammation measured by the criteria of Löe was higher in the SCN cases (p < 0.05). Moreover, GCF levels of IFN-α, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IL-2, IL-7, IL-33, IP-10, MIG, MIP-1β were significantly higher in the controls. Decreased cytokine secretion seems to correlate with the decrease in neutrophil counts. The severity of gingival inflammation in SCN patients may be due to the bacterial overgrowth and the change in the content of the oral flora due to the decreased neutrophil counts. Therefore, regular periodontal examinations, the motivation of oral hygiene as well as the compliance with therapy in SCN patients contribute to the periodontal health.

     

Comparison of oxidative stress biomarkers in renal tissues of d-galactose induced, naturally aged and young rats

Ageing of kidneys is a clinical health issue of the society. Age-related renal insufficiency has important implications due to impaired redox homeostasis. We examined protein, DNA and lipid oxidation biomarkers as well as protein-bound sialic acid (SA) in the kidney tissues of D-galactose induced ageing rats, naturally aged rats and their corresponding young control group. Intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (60 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks to young male Sprague-Dawley rats (20-week-old) was used to establish mimetic ageing model. In this study, we investigated the levels of protein carbonyl groups (PCO), various thiol fractions such as total thiol groups (T-SH), protein (P-SH) and non-protein thiol groups (NP-SH), lipid oxidation parameters such as lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) and malondialdehyde (MDA), SA and 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) parameters for comparison of naturally aged, induced aged and young rats. In D-galactose induced aged group, PCO, LHP, MDA, and 8-OHdG concentrations were significantly higher than young control group, whereas T-SH, P-SH levels were significantly lower than the young rats. In addition, NP-SH and SA concentrations were similar between the mimetic ageing and young control groups. In naturally ageing rats, PCO and MDA levels were significantly higher, whereas T-SH, P-SH, NP-SH concentrations were low compared to young controls. On the other hand, SA and 8-OHdG levels were not different between the naturally ageing group and the young control group. Our results demonstrated that the rats in the mimetic ageing group, have significant similarities with the naturally aged rats in terms of impaired redox homeostasis and can be used as a reliable animal model for renal ageing.     

Periodical gingival bleeding as a presenting symptom of periodontitis due to underlying cyclic neutropenia. Case report

A 13-year-old boy presenting with spontaneous and periodical gingival bleeding accompanied by fever was thoroughly examined in order to determine the underlying aetiology of the gingival bleeding. Following repeated blood tests, the patient was diagnosed as having cyclic neutropenia. Thus, it was suggested, gingival bleeding, especially when spontaneous and periodical, should be carefully investigated to eliminate the possibility of cyclic neutropenia.     

Effect of neutrophil apoptosis on monocytic cytokine response to Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil apoptosis may play a critical role in the resolution of inflammation by stimulating anti-inflammatory cytokine generation from monocytes. In this study, we investigated the effect of apoptotic neutrophils on interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-1beta production from monocytes in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide. METHODS: Peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy individuals were isolated by sodium diatrizoate density gradient centrifugation. In order to induce apoptosis, neutrophils were cultured for 24 hours in modified Dulbecco's medium supplemented with 10% autologous serum. Cell apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V positivity and loss of CD16 expression on the cell surface. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from the same subjects; monocytes were purified by magnetic cell sorting and cultured with or without apoptotic or fresh neutrophils. Lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis was used for cell stimulation. IL-1beta and IL-10 levels in supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: IL-10 generation was significantly increased in monocytes cultured with apoptotic neutrophils compared to monocytes alone or cocultured with fresh neutrophils (P <0.05). IL-1beta was suppressed both in resting and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes in the presence of apoptotic neutrophils compared to monocytes alone or monocytes cultured with fresh neutrophils at all time points (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Neutrophil apoptosis provides a signal to monocytes, changing the phenotype of the monocyte resulting in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in response to lipopolysaccharide.     

The gingival crevicular fluid Interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α levels in patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis

Cytokines are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. In the present study, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of two important cytokines, interleukin 1-/3 (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and, in addition, serum IL-1β levels, were determined in patients with severe and rapid periodontal breakdown by use of ELISA. While IL-1β was detected in all of the GCF samples studied, TNF-α could only be detected in about half the samples. The mean GCF IL-1β level was 38.45 ± 13.99 pg/mL, and the mean TNF-α level was 3.20 ± 1.39 pg/mL, respectively. The GCF IL-1β levels also presented a strong positive correlation with the mean pocket depths. Although weak, both of the cytokines also presented correlations with the presence of bleeding on probing. Additionally GCF samples contained increased IL-1β levels when compared with the serum samples suggesting local production mechanisms. The findings of the present study suggest that these cytokines may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases (IL-1β being more significant), and also may help in defining the active phase of periodontal breakdown.     

Comparative clinical evaluation of different treatment approaches using a microfilled resin composite and a compomer in Class III cavities: two-year results

This study evaluated the 24-month clinical performance of a microfilled composite using a one-bottle bonding system and a compomer that uses one-bottle bonding systems, which include a non-rinse conditioner or 36% phosphoric acid gel in Class III cavities. Each patient received three restorations due to primary caries of the anterior teeth, resulting in a total of 96 restorations. Three types of restoration/adhesive combinations were used: a microfilled resin composite (Filtek A110) with a one-bottle bonding system (Single Bond); a polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) (Dyract AP) with a filled one-bottle bonding system (Prime & Bond NT) using 36% phosphoric acid pretreatment and a polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) (Dyract AP) with a filled one-bottle bonding system (Prime & Bond NT) using a non-rinse conditioner (NRC) and a self-priming pretreatment. At baseline and one- and two-year recalls, color match, marginal discoloration, wear or loss of anatomical form, caries, marginal adaptation and surface texture of the restorations were evaluated by two experienced, calibrated examiners using the modified Ryge criteria. After two years, one restoration from each group had a rating of Charlie (C) for both color match and marginal discoloration and needed to be replaced. Therefore, the failure rate was 3.6% (success rate: 96.4%) for each group at the end of two years. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences among the three groups in color match, marginal discoloration, wear or loss of anatomical form, marginal adaptation and surface texture after two years. Also, no statistically significant differences were determined for each group with respect to color match, marginal discoloration, wear or loss of anatomical form, marginal adaptation and surface texture at the end of two years.