Preventive effects of thymoquinone in a rat periodontitis model: a morphometric and histopathological study

Ozdemir H, Kara MI, Erciyas K, Ozer H, Ay S. Preventive effects of thymoquinone in a rat periodontitis model: a morphometric and histopathological study. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 74–80. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Thymoquinone has a variety of pharmacologic properties, including antihistaminic, antibacterial, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative activities. Through its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, thymoquinone may play an important role in preventing periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thymoquinone in preventing the initiation and progression of periodontitis in a rat periodontitis model. Material and Methods: Twenty‐four rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: a nonligated (NL) treatment group (n = 8), a ligature‐only (LO) treatment group (n = 8) and a ligature plus thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, daily for 11 d) (TQ) treatment group. In order to induce experimental periodontitis, a 4/0 silk suture was placed at the gingival margin of the right‐mandibular first molars of the rats. Thymoquinone was administered by gastric feeding until the animals were killed on day 11. Changes in the alveolar bone levels of rats in each group were measured clinically, and tissues of rats in each group were examined histopathologically to determine inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI), osteoblast and osteoclast activities, and osteoclast morphology. Results: Alveolar bone loss around the mandibular molar tooth was significantly higher in the LO group compared with NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). The ratio of the presence of ICI and osteoclast numbers was significantly higher in the LO group than in the NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). Osteoblastic activity was significantly lower in the LO group than in the NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that the oral administration of thymoquinone diminishes alveolar bone resorption in a rat periodontitis model.     

Design,synthesis, and in vitro biological evaluation of novel thiazolopyrimidine derivatives as antileishmanial compounds

A series of thiazolopyrimidine derivatives was designed and synthesized as a Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 (LmPTR1) enzyme inhibitor. Their LmPTR1 inhibitor activities were evaluated using the enzyme produced by Escherichia coli in a recombinant way. The antileishmanial activity of the selected compounds was tested in vitro against Leishmania sp. Additionally, the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. According to the results, four compounds displayed not only a potent in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms but also low cytotoxicity. Among them, compound L16 exhibited an antileishmanial activity for both the promastigote and amastigote forms of L. tropica, with IC₅₀ values of 7.5 and 2.69 µM, respectively. In addition, molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics simulations were also carried out in this study. In light of these findings, the compounds provide a new potential scaffold for antileishmanial drug discovery.     

The effect of low-level laser therapy on non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized controlled,single-blind,split-mouth clinical trial

The purpose of this split-mouth, single-blind, controlled clinical study was to evaluate the impact of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Twenty-five systemically healthy and non-smoking adults with chronic periodontitis who had at least two bilateral premolar teeth with probing pocket depth (PPD) of 7?≥?x?≥?5 mm were included in the study. In the periodontal examination of these patients, PPD, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at the baseline, first, third, and sixth months after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken at the baseline, first week, and first month after treatment. The collected GCF samples were analyzed using the MAGPIX? system with a Bio-Plex Pro? Human Cytokine 27-plex kit. After non-surgical periodontal treatment, LLLT with an energy density of 7.64 J/cm² was performed four times: immediately after scaling and root planning (SRP) and on the first, third, and seventh day after treatment. In the first month, PPD levels were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower in the SRP?+?LLLT group than in the SRP group. At the third and sixth months, CAL, PPD, and GI were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower in the SRP?+?LLLT group than in the SRP group. Differences in GCF cytokines levels among the group were not statistically significant. Within the limitations of this study, it is indicated that LLLT as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment has a positive impact on clinical parameters.     

Lumbar perforator flap for closure of sacral tissue defect after lipomyelomeningocele

Complex sacral midline defects following spinal surgery have been traditionally closed with either muscle or musculocutaneous flaps. We present a case with a complicated sacral wound extending to the medulla spinalis after a lipomeningomyelocele excision in an ambulating adult. Wound was repaired with a lumbar perforator-based rotation flap. This well-vascularized flap is relatively easy to harvest, and results in minimal donor site morbidity, provides adequate dimensions, and permits primary closure of donor defect. In addition, the flap allows for anatomic muscle approximation without sacrificing the muscle functions, and provides reliable soft tissue coverage. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.     

Peroneus quartus: prevalance and clinical importance

Introduction

The most common variant muscle of the ankle, peroneus quartus muscle, is located in the lateral leg compartment. In literature there is ambiguous nomenclature of this muscle because of its different origin and insertion sides. It is related to many pathologic conditions in the lateral ankle compartment but also it can be used as a tendon graft for reconstructive procedures.

Material and method

We dissected 115 cadaver legs and investigated prevalence of peroneus quartus. We also present 2 year result of a patient who had torn superior peroneal retinaculum reconstructed with peroneus quartus tendon.

Results

The peroneus quartus muscle, with a number of different attachments, was present in 5.2 % (6/115) of the legs. It most commonly arose from the peroneus brevis muscle and inserted into the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneus. Associated pathologies are longitudinal degeneration and tear in the tendon of peroneus brevis. There is no any association between the prevalence of peroneus quartus and the height of retrotrochlear eminence or presence of peroneal tubercule (p > 0.05). But there is strong relationship between peroneus brevis degeneration and peroneus quartus existence (p: 0.03). We also defined a new type of peroneus quartus with a bifurcated insertion around the peroneus brevis. In literature our case report is unique because we present a patient who has torn superior peroneal retinaculum which is reconstructed with peroneus quartus tendon with 2 year follow up.

Conclusion

Peroneus quartus may lead to some pathologic conditions (pain, snapping, tear, synovitis, etc.) in the lateral ankle compartment but it may be used to reconstruct some pathologic conditions. Orthopaedics, anatomists and radiologists should be aware of this accessory tendon structure because of its clinical importance.     

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on the peroxidative changes of rat lungs exposed to inhalation of thinners

OBJECTIVE: Long-term inhalation of thinners may cause damage, both to the lungs and to other organ systems. It causes cellular damage via formation of reactive oxygen species. The lung is protected from oxidative stress by the glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system which can be augmented by the thiol drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). This study investigated the protective effect of NAC on peroxidative changes in rat lungs exposed to inhalation of thinners for 8 weeks. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-two male Wistar albino rats were used and divided into two groups: one group inhaled only thinners (TI), while the other inhaled TI plus NAC. Rats in the TI and TI + NAC groups were divided into four subgroups (each consisting of eight rats) according to the duration of exposure to TI: 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. A control group (n = 7) of rats inhaled neither TI nor NAC. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the lung tissues. Histopathological findings were evaluated as acute and chronic changes in the alveoli and interstitium in the TI and TI + NAC groups and compared with those in the control group. RESULTS: While tissue MDA levels in the groups inhaling TI for 4, 6 and 8 weeks were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.0001, respectively), GSH levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). Tissue SOD activities in the groups inhaling TI for 6 and 8 weeks were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). In the TI group, MDA levels were significantly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing duration of inhalation (from the second week through to the eighth week), while GSH levels and SOD activities were significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Tissue MDA levels were significantly lower in the TI + NAC groups across all inhalation periods, when compared with the TI groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). Tissue GSH levels in the TI + NAC groups were significantly higher than those of the TI groups (respective values: P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.0001). Tissue SOD activities in the TI + NAC groups were significantly higher than those of the TI groups (respective values: P < 0.05, P < 0.0001, P < 0.05, P < 0.0001). Pathological examinations with light microscopy did not show any beneficial effect of NAC application in terms of deferring or alleviating the negative effects of TI. CONCLUSIONS: Thinners are agents that cause imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants produced by aerobic cellular systems. This imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant systems is decreased by the effect of NAC. However, ultrastructural studies may be needed to substantiate this evidence morphologically, as light microscopy was inconclusive.     

Flow-cytometric analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets in sinistral and dextral patients with gingivitis

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any change in T-lymphocyte subsets in sinistral and dextral patients with gingivitis. The study was carried out on 36 patients (16 males and 20 females) with gingivitis. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 25 (mean age = 18.50 +/- 3.85). Patients were divided into two equal groups according to their right or left hand use. Being right- or left-handed was determined with Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (Oldfield). At the beginning of the study, gingival index (GI-L?e-Silness) and plaque index (PI-Silness-L?e) scores were recorded in order to assess the gingival tissue health in patients. At the same time, the biopsy samples were taken from the gingival pocket wall tissues at sites of gingivitis. Then, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte and CD4/CD8 ratio values were determined using flow-cytometry in the biopsy samples. The two groups were compared by using Student's t-test. The normal value in peripheral blood of CD4+ lymphocyte and that of CD8+ lymphocyte are 25-29% and 19-48%, respectively. According to flow cytometry findings, in both sinistrality and dexterity with gingivitis, CD+ and CD8+ lymphocyte values were under the normal value while the CD4/CD8 rate was within normal distribution interval. CD4+ lymphocyte values observed in the sinistral patients were found to be lower than those in the dextral patients. The difference between the CD8+ lymphocyte values in left-handed patients and that obtained in right-handed patients was not found to be statistically significant while the difference between the CD4+ lymphocyte values in left-handed patients and that obtained in right-handed patients was found to be statistically significant (p < .05). In addition, the difference between the CD4/CD8 rate obtained in left-handed patients and that obtained in right-handed patients was found to be statistically very significant (p < .001). Consequently, these findings suggested CD4+ lymphocyte value and CD4/CD8 rate was lower in sinistrality. Sinistrality and dexterity may play an important role in local immune response.     

Multiple infiltrating lipomas of the tongue

A rare case of multiple infiltrating lipomas in the tongue of a 54-year-old man is reported. There have been only five previously reported cases of infiltrating lipoma of the tongue. They were all solitary in nature. The present lesion is the first case reported in the English literature of multiple infiltrating lipoma of the tongue. Because of its infiltrating nature, this tumour may be mistaken for a liposarcoma. Achievement of adequate surgical margins is essential, as the recurrence rate may be as high as 62.5 per cent without complete excision.