Effects of chlorhexidine, listerine and fluoride listerine mouthrinses on four putative root-caries pathogens in the biofilm

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of chlorhexidine (CHX), Listerine and Fluoride Listerine on putative root-caries pathogens in the biofilm in the artificial mouth model.

METHODS

A total of 24 human dentine discs were prepared. A biofilm composed of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Actinomyces naeslundii was cultured on the surfaces of human dentine discs in an artificial-mouth model. Sucrose was supplied by computer-controlled release on a daily basis to simulate the real-life situation. Three treatment reagents, CHX, Listerine and Fluoride Listerine, were supplied at a flow rate of 15 ml/h for 6 min twice a day. The dentine discs with biofilm were removed from the artificial mouth after being cultured for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days. The bacteria in the biofilm were analysed by plating on BHIS agar and the colony-forming units of each species were counted.

RESULTS

The total number of bacteria in the CHX group was significantly lower than in the other three groups (including control). There was no decline in the number of bacteria in the Listerine group. S. mutans was reduced significantly in the CHX group compared with the control group. The number and proportion of A. naeslundii in the CHX group were significantly lower than in the other three groups. The proportion of L. rhamnosus in the CHX group was significantly higher than in the other three groups.

CONCLUSION

CHX has the most significant effect on inhibition of the putative root-caries bacteria, with the exception of L. rhamnosus. Both Listerine and a combination of fluoride and Listerine could not effectively reduce the numbers of bacteria in the biofilm. The effects of CHX, Listerine and Fluoride Listerine on root caries prevention need further investigation.

Effects of salsalate therapy on recovery from vascular injury in female Zucker fatty rats

OBJECTIVE

Salsalate is a dimeric form of salicylic acid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity and to reduce glucose levels, insulin resistance, and cytokine expression. However, the effect of salsalate on vascular injury has not been determined. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of salsalate on vascular injury and repair in a rat model of carotid artery balloon catheter injury.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Salsalate treatment was started in female Zucker fatty rats (insulin resistant) 1 week before carotid artery balloon catheter injury and continued for 21 days, at which time the animals were killed and studied.

RESULTS

Treatment with salsalate significantly decreased the intima-to-media ratio and upregulated the expression of aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) (ser 1177), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and reduced serum interleukin (IL)-6 with concomitant downregulation of nuclear factor (NF) κB subunit p65 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the balloon-injured carotid artery of female Zucker fatty rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that salsalate treatment decreases vascular damage caused by balloon catheter injury in female Zucker fatty rats. The beneficial effect of salsalate on vascular injury was associated with upregulation of eNOS, p-eNOS, and MnSOD, which reduce oxidative stress and have anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by reduction in serum IL-6 and the downregulation of VEGF and NFκB, which promote inflammation without changing glucose levels. These results suggest that salsalate may be useful in reducing vascular injury and restenosis following interventional revascularization procedures.

Oral manifestations of pachyonychia congenita

Pachyonychia congenita is a rare genetic disorder characterized mainly by hypertrophy of the nails and hyperkeratosis of the skin and mucosae. Fifty percent of all patients have oral leukokeratosis, which is often painful. The case reported here is of a 41-year-old patient who had white lesions in the form of irregular plaques; these affected multiple regions of the oral mucosa and were sensitive to touch. Histological examination revealed acanthosis, parakeratosis and ballooning of the epithelial cells, consistent with oral leukokeratosis. After therapy including topical steroids and prosthetic rehabilitation, the symptoms resolved.

Preventing cisplatin induced ototoxicity by N-acetylcysteine and salicylate

OBJECTIVES

In this study we investigated if CP induced ototoxicity could be prevented or reduced by the use of salicylate and N-acetylcysteine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-four patients (28 females, 26 males; mean age 37+/-9.5 years; range 29 to 71 years) who had cisplatin chemotherapy due to solid organ tumors were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized into three groups, with 18 patients in each group. The first group (control group) received cisplatin, second group received N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 600 mg/day) with cisplatin and the third group received salicylate (300 mg/day) with cisplatin. All patients evaluated audiologically including high frequency audiometry and auditory brainstem response.

RESULTS

The cisplatin-induced ototoxic damage could be reduced in 10,000 and 12,000 Hz frequencies when N-acetylcysteine was added to the cisplatin therapy protocol. There was no decrease in the hearing loss levels of the patients who were receiving cisplatin with salicylate.

CONCLUSION

According to auditory brainstem response testing results, there was no difference detected between N-acetylcysteine or salicylate for the amelioration of cisplatin induced ototoxicity.

Superiority of an essential oil mouthrinse when compared with a 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride containing mouthrinse: a six-month study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antiplaque/antigingivitis effectiveness of an essential oils containing mouthrinse as compared to a 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride mouthrinse.

METHOD

Generally healthy subjects with mild to moderate levels of plaque and gingivitis participated in a 6-month, examiner-blind, single centre, randomised, parallel-group controlled clinical trial. They were randomised into three mouthrinse groups--control (C), 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or a fixed combination of essential oils (EO). Subjects received a dental prophylaxis at baseline and rinsed twice daily in addition to their usual oral hygiene for six months. Plaque Index and Modified Gingival Index were determined at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

At 6 months, the EO group exhibited statistically significantly lower mean scores for MGI and PI than CPC (32.4% and 56.2% reductions, respectively). Compared to control, EO provided statistically significantly lower mean MGI and PI scores (36.3% and 69.7 %, respectively). The CPC group showed statistically significantly lower mean MGI and PI scores than the C group (5.8% and 30.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the superiority of an EO rinse compared to a 0.05% CPC rinse in reducing plaque and gingivitis and confirmed that the daily use of an EO containing mouthrinse can provide a clinically significant benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis.

In vitro antitumour activity of orsellinates

Lichen phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anticancer activity of lecanoric acid, a secondary metabolite of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum, and its derivatives, orsellinates, obtained by structural modification. A cytotoxicity assay was carried out in vitro with sulforhodamine B (SRB) using HEp-2 larynx carcinoma, MCF7 breast carcinoma, 786-0 kidney carcinoma, and B16-F10 murine melanoma cell lines, in addition to a normal (Vero) cell line in order to calculate the selectivity index of the compounds. n-Butyl orsellinate was the most active compound, with IC50 values (the concentration that inhibits 50% of growth) ranging from 7.2 to 14.0 microg/mL, against all the cell lines tested. The compound was more active (IC50 = 11.4 microg/mL) against B16-F10 cells than was cisplatin (12.5 microg/mL). Conversely, lecanoric acid and methyl orsellinate were less active against all cell lines, having an IC50 value higher than 50 microg/mL. Ethyl orsellinate was more active against HEp-2 than against MCF7, 786-0, or B16-F10 cells. The same pattern was observed for n-propyl and n-butyl orsellinates. n-Pentyl orsellinate was less active than n-propyl or n-butyl orsellinates against HEp-2 cells. The orsellinate activity increased with chain elongation (from methyl to n-butyl), a likely consequence of an increase in lipophilicity. The results revealed that the structural modification of lecanoric acid increases the cytotoxic activity of the derivatives tested.

Reduced hospitalization cost for upper gastrointestinal events that occur among elderly veterans who are gastroprotected

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite prescription of gastroprotection among elderly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users, residual bleeding can still occur. We sought to determine the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on hospitalization and resource use among veterans in whom an upper gastrointestinal event (UGIE) occurred.

METHODS

We identified from national pharmacy records veterans > or =65 years prescribed an NSAID, cyclooxygenase-2 selective NSAID (coxib), or salicylate (>325 mg/day) at any Veterans Affairs (VA) facility (01/01/00-12/31/04). Prescription fill data were linked longitudinally to a Veterans Affairs-Medicare dataset of inpatient, outpatient, and death files, and demographic and provider data. Among veterans in whom a UGIE occurred, we assessed the effect of prescription strategy on hospitalization, using a multivariate logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 3566 UGIEs occurred among a cohort that was predominantly male (97.5%), white (77%), with a mean age of 73.5 (SD, 5.7). Hospitalization occurred in 47.5%, and gastroprotection was associated with a 30% reduction in hospitalization compared with no PPI. Five-year pharmacy costs associated with the PPI strategy exceeded the no-PPI strategy ($742,406 vs $184,282); however, a substantial reduction in medical costs was observed with PPI ($9,948,738 vs $18,686,081).

CONCLUSIONS

Even if an NSAID-UGIE occurs in the PPI-protected older veteran, the reduction in need for hospitalization results in a cost saving to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[Forty-four years of advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of flatulence syndrome]

In the present paper, the author reminds investigations performed, since forty-four years ago, to clarify the etiopathogenesis and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the flatulence syndrome.

The effects of the Chinese herbal medicine EMF01 on salicylate-induced tinnitus in rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been reported to successfully alleviate tinnitus, although well-controlled studies have not been conducted. In this study, we attempted to test a TCM, Er Ming Fang (EMF01) containing Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Salvia mittiorrhiza, Pueraria, Schisandra chinensis, Poria cocos and Platycodon grandiflorum, on salicylate-induced tinnitus in rats, using a conditioned lick suppression paradigm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pilot study examined the effect of 8.75 g/kg and 17.5 g/kg EMF01 (delivered by oral gavage for 20 days) and showed a slight decrease in the suppression ratio (SR) in the 8.75 g/kg group. In order to confirm the possible effect of EMF01 on tinnitus at 8.75 g/kg, a further study was carried out with a larger sample size.

RESULTS

While there were statistically significant differences between the treatment groups, post hoc tests revealed that EMF01 did not have any significant effect on salicylate-induced tinnitus.

CONCLUSIONS

While this study does not support the efficacy of EMF01 in the treatment of salicylate-induced tinnitus, further studies should be conducted to determine if it alleviates tinnitus associated with acoustic trauma.

Effectiveness of procedures for the chemical-mechanical control of dental biofilm in orthodontic patients

AIM

Assess the effectiveness of chemical-mechanical control associated with orientation and motivation for the control of dental biofilm in orthodontic patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirty patients between 12 and 21 years of age wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance were divided into three groups. The control group (G1) received orientation regarding oral hygiene. The experimental groups (G2 and G3) received orientation regarding oral hygiene and diet as well as a hygiene kit and mouthwash; the mouthwash given to G2 was a placebo and that given to G3 contained essential oils (Listerine).

RESULTS

In the comparison between T0 and T60, vestibular gingivitis was worse in G1 (p<0.05), with no statistically significant differences regarding lingual gingivitis and biofilm. G2 and G3 exhibited a significant improvement in clinical conditions. In the comparison between groups, G3 had undergone a significantly greater improvement than the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of the commercial mouthwash, together with mechanical oral hygiene, orientation, and motivation, proved to be adequate conduct for the maintenance of oral health in orthodontic patients.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The present study contributes toward the maintenance of oral health in patients who wear a fixed orthodontic appliance through the prevention of dental biofilm buildup.

Long-term follow-up of atrial fibrillation patients in the NASPEAF study. Prospective evaluation of different antiplatelet treatments

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In the NASPEAF (National Study for Prevention of Embolism in Atrial Fibrillation) trial, combination therapy with an anticoagulant and an antiplatelet was more effective than anticoagulation alone in patients with atrial fibrillation. We report long-term follow-up in these patients, including prospective evaluation of different antiplatelet therapies.

METHODS

This analysis included 574 atrial fibrillation patients. Standard anticoagulation (international normalized ratio [INR] 2.0-3.0) was used as control therapy to compare with anticoagulation (INR 1.9-2.5) plus either triflusal at 600 mg/day, triflusal at 300 mg/day or aspirin at 100 mg/day. The primary endpoint was ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, a systemic or coronary ischemic event, or cardiovascular death. The mean follow-up was 4.92 years.

RESULTS

Long-term follow-up confirmed that combination therapy with an anticoagulant plus triflusal at 600 mg/day gave significantly better results than anticoagulation alone (hazard ratio [HR]=0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.80; P=.014). There was a significantly higher incidence of ischemic events with triflusal at 300 mg/day (P=.031) and of severe bleeding events with aspirin at 100 mg/day (P=.008). The mean INR was similar in the three combination therapy groups. The incidence of severe nongastric bleeding during combination therapy with triflusal was very low (0.3% of patients/year).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up confirmed that combination antithrombotic therapy with triflusal at 600 mg/day gave significantly better results than anticoagulant monotherapy. The results obtained with combination therapy with triflusal at 300 mg/day and with aspirin at 100 mg/day should be considered provisional because the treatment groups were small and treatment was not randomly assigned.

[Cytomegalovirus infection in patients with ulcerative colitis]

AIM

Adjusting therapy of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) regarding their cytomegalovirus (CMV)--status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

40 patients were included, mean age--44.3 +/- 3.2 yo. DNA CMV was detected in mucosal tissue samples from rectum using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

4 (10%) were CMV-positive. CMV-positive status rate was higher among patients on therapy with immunomodulators 3 (23.1%) vs 1 in patients on steroids and/or salicylates. There was significantly higher rate of severe disease and steroid dependence among CMV-positive patients than among CMV-negative: 75% vs 13.9%, 75% vs 8.3% correspondently.

CONCLUSION

CMV-infection is associated with severe and steroid-dependent UC.

Childhood psoriasis: often favorable outcome

(1) Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis in children. Topical agents should be tried first, especially well-tolerated products such as emollients. Topical corticosteroids are sometimes useful during exacerbations but, given adverse effects, they should only be used for short periods; (2) UVB phototherapy is an option for extensive psoriasis refractory to local treatments, but it carries a long-term risk of skin cancer. Immunosuppressants have not been well assessed in this setting, but methotrexate has been better evaluated than the others.

Treatment of acute occlusion of the retinal arteries

In five patients with obstruction of the retinal arteries, three with emboli, the circulation was reestablished by bulbus massage, intravenous administered acetazolamide and theophylamine. The patients were further treated with salicyclic acid for six months. An improvement of vision was obtained with maintained over a 2-year period. The basis of the present treatment occlusive arterial disorders in the retinal is discussed.

Antiproliferative effects on tumour cells and promotion of keratinocyte wound healing by different lichen compounds

Five compounds representative of major structural classes of lichen polyketides, VIZ. (+)-usnic (1), salazinic (2), vulpinic (3), gyrophoric (4), and evernic acids (5), were investigated for their ability to affect cell proliferation or wound healing, two functional targets of relevance for research on cancer or tissue regeneration. The experiments were carried out on MM98 malignant mesothelioma cells, A431 vulvar carcinoma cells, and HaCaT keratinocytes. The NRU and CV cytotoxicity assays showed high toxicity for (+)-usnic acid, intermediate toxicity for vulpinic acid, and low toxicity for salazinic, gyrophoric and evernic acids. Scratch wounding experiments on HaCaT monolayers, in the presence of subtoxic doses of lichen compounds, showed strong wound closure effects by (+)-usnic and gyrophoric acid, an intermediate effect by vulpinic and salazinic acids, and no effect by evernic acid. A combination of (+)-usnic and gyrophoric acids gave a further increase in the wound closure rates. The results of a cell migration test correlated with the wound healing data. In conclusion, (+)-usnic acid might be a particularly interesting compound for the prevention of hyperproliferation syndromes, while (+)-usnic and gyrophoric acids qualify as interesting leads in the promotion of tissue regeneration.