Increase in plasma resveratrol levels and in acid-resistant proteins in the acquired enamel pellicle after use of resveratrol-containing orodispersible tablets

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effect of administration of trans-resveratrol-containing orodispersible tablets on the protein composition of the AEP and on blood plasma trans-resveratrol concentrations.

METHODS

Ten volunteers participated in two crossover double-blind phases. In each phase, after dental prophylaxis, they received a trans-resveratrol (15 mg) orodispersible tablet, or a placebo tablet (without actives). The AEP formed after 120 min was collected with electrode filter papers soaked in 3 % citric acid. Blood samples were collected 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after the use of the tablet. After protein extraction, AEP samples were analyzed by shotgun labelfree quantitative proteomics and plasma samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS

Eight hundred and two proteins were identified in the AEP. Among them, 336 and 213 were unique to the trans-resveratrol and control groups, respectively, while 253 were common to both groups. Proteins with important functions in the AEP had increased expression in the trans-resveratroltreated group, such as neutrophil defensins, S100 protein isoforms, lysozyme C, cystatin-D, mucin-7, alphaamylase, albumin, haptoglobin and statherin. Trans-resveratrol was detected in the plasma at all the times evaluated, with the peak at 30 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of trans-resveratrol in sublingual orodispersible tablets was effective both to increase the bioavailability of the polyphenol and the expression of antibacterial and acid-resistant proteins in the AEP, which might benefit oral and general health.

A new role for resveratrol: Protection of enamel against erosion

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of resveratrol in protecting enamel against initial dental erosion in vitro.

METHODS

Ninety bovine enamel samples (4 × 4 mm) were divided into six groups: Phosphate buffered saline (negative control; PBS), Commercial solution (Elmex Erosion Protection™; positive control) and resveratrol at 4 different concentrations (1, 10, 100 or 400 µg/mL). Initially, the samples were incubated in saliva for the formation of the acquired pellicle (250 µL, 1 h, 37 °C, 250 rpm). Afterward, the samples were incubated in the respective treatments (250 µL, 1 min, 37 °C, 250 rpm) and then reincubated in saliva (250 µL, 1 h, 37 °C, 250 rpm). Finally, the samples were subjected to an erosive challenge by incubating in 1 % citric acid (1 mL, pH 3.5, 1 min, 25 °C, 250 rpm). The percentage surface microhardness change (% SMC) was assessed using a microhardness tester. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The treatments with Elmex™ and resveratrol (1, 10 and 100 µg/mL) significantly protected enamel compared to the negative control, without significant differences among them. However, the group treated with the highest resveratrol concentration (400 µg/mL) did not show a significant difference from the negative control.

CONCLUSIONS

Resveratrol at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 µg/ml was effective in preventing loss of enamel surface microhardness.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This result suggests a potential new direction for the development of dental products based on resveratrol for the prevention of dental erosion.

Analysis of Plasma Proteins Involved in Inflammation, Immune Response/Complement System, and Blood Coagulation upon Admission of COVID-19 Patients to Hospital May Help to Predict the Prognosis of the Disease

The development of new approaches allowing for the early assessment of COVID-19 cases that are likely to become critical and the discovery of new therapeutic targets are urgently required. In this prospective cohort study, we performed proteomic and laboratory profiling of plasma from 163 COVID-19 patients admitted to Bauru State Hospital (Brazil) between 4 May 2020 and 4 July 2020. Plasma samples were collected upon admission for routine laboratory analyses and shotgun quantitative label-free proteomics. Based on the course of the disease, the patients were divided into three groups: (a) mild (n = 76) and (b) severe (n = 56) symptoms, whose patients were discharged without or with admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), respectively, and (c) critical (n = 31), a group consisting of patients who died after admission to an ICU. Based on our data, potential therapies for COVID-19 should target proteins involved in inflammation, the immune response and complement system, and blood coagulation. Other proteins that could potentially be employed in therapies against COVID-19 but that so far have not been associated with the disease are CD5L, VDBP, A1BG, C4BPA, PGLYRP2, SERPINC1, and APOH. Targeting these proteins' pathways might constitute potential new therapies or biomarkers of prognosis of the disease.

Saliva as a diagnostic tool for dental caries, periodontal disease and cancer: is there a need for more biomarkers?

Introduction: A biomarker is a biological indicator of normal or pathogenic processes. Identification of biomarkers is useful for the prevention, diagnosis and prognosis of diseases as well as for monitoring the progression of pathological disorders. Several types of molecules present in biological fluids can act as biomarkers such as DNA, coding and non-coding RNA, lipids, metabolites, proteins and even microbes. In this context, saliva emerges as a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of biomarkers involved with oral and systemic diseases, since it reflects the pathophysiological conditions of the organism and allows early, rapid, practical and noninvasive detection of biomarkers.Areas covered: This review discusses the properties of saliva as a diagnostic tool and addresses the main identified biomarkers related to dental caries, periodontal disease, head and neck cancer and other types of cancer of considerable incidence among the world population.Expert commentary: Despite extensive efforts which have been directed toward the identification of one or a combination of biomarkers with good predictive values for the early detection of dental caries, periodontal disease and cancer, these biomarkers still need validation before chairside point-of-care devices can be widely used in the clinic.