The effect of diabetes mellitus on the expression of Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in mucosal epithelium under experimental denture bases in rats

Histocompatibility of Novel Cycloaliphatic Comonomer in Heat-cured Denture Base Acrylic Resin: Histomorphometric Analysis in Rats

Background:

Prosthodontics is impossible without denture base resins. Allergic reactions to these resins are not uncommon, albeit favorable properties. Monomeric modifications are being done to improve the properties of the material. Tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate (TCDDMDA) monomer has been recently identified and experimented as a comonomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA).

Aim:

This study aimed to investigate the histocompatibility of TCDDMDA comonomer in polymerized resin at 10% and 20% (vol/vol) concentrations in rats by histomorphometric analysis.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: NP group (control; n = 6), with no palatal appliance, Groups P0, P10, and P20 were fixed with palatal appliances fabricated of 100% MMA, 10% TCDDMDA + 90% MMA, and 20% TCDDMDA + 80% MMA, respectively. Weights of the animals were recorded just before the appliance placement and after 14 days. The animals were sacrificed, and the palatal tissues were processed for histopathological analysis. Histomorphometric parameters assessed were total epithelial (ET), connective tissue (CT), and keratin layer (KT) thicknesses.

Results:

No significant difference was observed regarding body weight. Group P0 showed increased ET, CT, and KT when compared to other groups. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests showed a statistically significant difference between all the groups except between P10 and P20 for all the three morphometric parameters.

Conclusion:

Palatal appliances with TCDDMDA comonomer showed good histocompatibility in rats up to 20% (vol/vol) concentration.

Effects of Diabetes and Hypertension on Oral Mucosa and TGFβ1 Salivary Levels

The aim of this study was to investigate salivary levels of TGFβ1 and proliferation/ maturation of epithelial mucosa cells in diabetic and hypertensive patients.

DESIGN

in this cross-sectional study, whole stimulated saliva and oral mucosa exfoliative cytology specimens were collected from 39 patients that were healthy (control, n=10) or presented history of arterial hypertension (HAS, n=9), diabetes mellitus (DM, n=10) or both (DM+HAS, n=10). Salivary flow rate (SFR), TGFβ1 level in saliva, AgNORs and the epithelial maturation were evaluated. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison post-test and the Spearman test correlation analysis were used. SFR showed a significant decreased in DM and DM+HAS (0.47±0.11 and 0.64±0.43 mL/min) when compared to control (1.4±0.38 mL/min). DM+HAS presented the highest value of TGFβ1 concentration (24.72±5.89 pg/mL). It was observed a positive correlation between TGFβ1 and glycaemia (R=0.6371; p<0.001) and a negative correlation between TGFβ1 and saliva (R=-0.6162; p<0.001) and glycaemia and SFR (R=-0.5654; P=0.001). AgNORs number and status of maturation of mucosa cells were similar for all conditions. DM and DM+HAS presented the lowest SFR, which correlated with increased TGFβ1 levels. Despite the higher TGFβ1 secretion it was not observed changes in the morphology or proliferation of epithelial cells when diabetes or hypertension was present.

Biomechanics of oral mucosa

The prevalence of prosthodontic treatment has been well recognized, and the need is continuously increasing with the ageing population. While the oral mucosa plays a critical role in the treatment outcome, the associated biomechanics is not yet fully understood. Using the literature available, this paper provides a critical review on four aspects of mucosal biomechanics, including static, dynamic, volumetric and interactive responses, which are interpreted by its elasticity, viscosity/permeability, apparent Poisson's ratio and friction coefficient, respectively. Both empirical studies and numerical models are analysed and compared to gain anatomical and physiological insights. Furthermore, the clinical applications of such biomechanical knowledge on the mucosa are explored to address some critical concerns, including stimuli for tissue remodelling (interstitial hydrostatic pressure), pressure–pain thresholds, tissue displaceability and residual bone resorption. Through this review, the state of the art in mucosal biomechanics and their clinical implications are discussed for future research interests, including clinical applications, computational modelling, design optimization and prosthetic fabrication.

Description of a Rat Palatal Acrylic Plate That Can Be Relined

PURPOSE

The objective of this article is to describe a method to construct an intraoral acrylic device that permits a reline material to be added to the inner surface of the palatal plate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen 60-day-old adult female rats (Rattus Norvegicus Albinus Wistar), weighing 150 to 250 g were used for this study and allocated to three groups (n = 5): G1, animals wearing a heat-polymerized acrylic resin palatal plate (Lucitone 550) for 14 days; G2, animals wearing a heat-polymerized acrylic resin palatal plate (Lucitone 550) relined with Tokuyama Rebase II for 14 days; and G3, animals maintained under the same conditions as the experimental groups, without wearing palatal plates for 14 days. The manipulation of the animals followed the guidelines of the Brazilian College of Animal Experimentation, under the approval of the animal ethics committee of the State University of Ponta Grossa. The palatal plates covered the whole palate, were fixed in the molar region with light-cured resin, and were kept there for 14 days. The animals received a paste diet and water ad libitum. Before and after the trial period, the rats were weighed individually on a precision scale. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05) test for comparison of the animals' weight (g) at time 0 and after 14 days of using the palatal plate.

RESULTS

No statistical differences were observed regarding the weight of the animals among the experimental groups in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The individual master impressions, the molar teeth coverage, and the method of cementation with nonadhesive composite resin provided good stability for the palatal plate showed in this study, not disturbing the eating habits and nutrition of the animals. This model seems reproducible, offering adequate histopathological evaluation. Differences in tissue morphology exist between the animals that used the palatal plate and the animals that did not use this device. Use of these palatal plates could clarify how prostheses bring changes in the palatal mucosa of users.

Stress distribution prevents ischaemia and bone resorption in residual ridge

OBJECTIVE

Intensive mechanical stress and/or inflammation are known to induce alveolar bone resorption. This study investigated whether a distribution of mechanical stress would reduce residual ridge resorption or improve ischaemia.

DESIGN

Thirty rats were divided into six experimental groups (n=5). The control group received no intentional stimulation, but rats in the experimental groups wore denture stimulators made of acrylic resin or a soft lining material. The stimulator transmitted masticatory pressure to the rats' palates for four weeks. The four types of soft lining materials investigated in this study dispersed the applied pressure, with compressive stress ranging from 20.8 to 90.8kPa. Volumes of blood flow and bone resorption of denture foundations were measured every week for 4 weeks. Statistical evaluation of these results was performed using two-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak test within 5% error limits.

RESULTS

Non-viscoelastic material clearly induced bone resorption and ischaemia of denture foundations, while viscoelastic materials reduced these phenomena to different extents according to their viscoelastic properties. Ischaemia in the alveolar ridge preceded residual ridge resorption, because the amount of residual ridge resorption and blood flow rate showed a simple linear regression.

CONCLUSION

Animal model of this study suggested that a distribution or reduction of mechanical stress could improve blood flow and decrease alveolar ridge resorption.