Expression of VEGF and CD-31 in traumatic ulcer of diabetic Wistar rats after application of Citrus limon peel essential oil

Objective

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that delays the healing process, including the interruption of the processes of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The etiology of most angiogenic-related diseases, such as diabetes complications, includes the presence of hypoxia caused by declined vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) and CD-31. d-limonene, one of the main constituents of Citrus limon, is considered to have angiogenic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the exact mechanism of this process remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the potential of C. limon as a medication for diabetic ulceration.

Methods

A total of 30 Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) induced with DM and traumatic ulcers on the lower lip mucosa were divided into six groups-three each for control and treatment groups. Control groups were treated with CMC 5% gel, and treatment groups were administered with C. limon peel essential oil gel. The expression of VEGF and CD-31 was observed on days 5, 7, and 9. Immunohistochemical examinations were performed with the monoclonal antibodies anti-VEGF and anti-CD-31. ANOVA was conducted to analyze the differences between the groups (p < 0.05).

Result

An increase in VEGF and CD-31 expression in the treatment group was observed compared with that of the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Citrus limon peel essential oil gel increased VEGF and CD-31 expression during the healing process of traumatic ulcers in diabetes-afflicted Wistar rats.

The Impact of Community Empowerment Programs on Oral Health Education for Knowledge Improvement in the Elderly

Objective This study aims to assess whether community empowerment as a health promotion program can improve the knowledge of the elderly and develop self-awareness about their oral health. The elderly population has increased in number and needs special attention, especially regarding the improvement of hygiene and health. Community empowerment is a type of health promotion program that can take the form of counseling and providing knowledge about oral health to the elderly.

Materials and Methods Participants are elderly aged 60 years or older. Counseling was done by oral medicine specialists and residents to provide knowledge about oral health problems. Assessment of knowledge improvement was done using pretest and posttest in a written questionnaire.

Statistical Analysis The Shapiro–Wilk test followed by the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the difference before and after counseling.

Results From a total of 38 elderly included in this study, 29 (76.32%) showed an improved score in posttest compared with pretest. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores of study participants (p < 0.005).

Conclusion Counseling in empowerment programs can help the elderly improve their knowledge about oral health, so that improvements can be expected to be followed by the development of self-awareness in the future.

Prevalence of Oral Normal Variance in Healthy Elderly Patients: A Descriptive Study on Oral Pseudo Lesions

Introduction The aging process in the elderly can change the condition of the oral cavity, regarding both clinical appearance and function. The oral mucosa becomes more susceptible to mechanical damage and irritant agents. Any changes in the oral mucosa, including normal variance, should be examined. This is especially true for the elderly, to improve oral health and prevent any abnormalities.

Objective To describe the prevalence of oral normal variance in healthy elderly patients.

Methods An observational descriptive study with a cross-sectional design with total sampling conducted from March to April 2020.

Results Among the 117 elderly patients who participated in this study, 58 were described as healthy without any comorbidities. From those subjects, there were 117 cases of normal variance in the oral mucosa. The three most prevalent issues were fissured tongue (93.1%), coated tongue (58.62%), and crenated tongue (27.59%).

Conclusion Fissured tongue is a normal variance of the oral mucosa that is commonly found in healthy elderly patients.

Malondialdehyde Level and Tissue Apoptosis Count as an Early-Detection Marker of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

OBJECTIVES

 The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and TA count represent the progression of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) to malignancy and thus may be used as an indicator of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). This study aimed to determine the MDA level and tissue apoptosis (TA) count in oropharyngeal tissue of Wistar rats exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Wistar rats were divided into three groups: T4 group (4-week cigarette smoke exposure), T8 group (8-week cigarette smoke exposure), and control group, which was not exposed to cigarette smoke. The oropharyngeal tissue of the rats from each group was examined histopathologically to count the number of apoptotic cells, and then the blood serum was made to measure the MDA level.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

 Bonferroni test was performed to see the differences in each group for MDA level. While the data from tissue apoptosis were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test for the significance. All data were considered significant if p < 0.05.

RESULTS

 The MDA level and TA count increased as the duration of cigarette smoke exposure increased. In the T8 group, the MDA level and TA count were significantly higher compared with the T4 and control groups with a p-value < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

 Exposure to sidestream cigarette smoke increased the TA count and MDA level in the oropharyngeal tissue of Wistar rats. The TA count and MDA level may be used as markers of OPMD.

Pigmented Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue and Lingual Fimbriae as Single Presentation in Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review

The normal variant in the oral mucosa is a nonpathological condition. Clinical examination must be carefully performed to avoid misdiagnosis as pathological condition. We reported two rare cases of pigmented fungiform papillae and lingual fimbria. Case 1 presented a 22-year-old Javanese man, with no systemic disease and several dark patches over the tongue for2 years. Case 2 presented a 21-year-old Javanese woman with dark patches over the dorsal and lateral of the tongue which had been known for over 4 to 5 months. Both patients had no systemic issues and there were no complaints about the patches. The dark patches, which appeared in both cases, were found together with linear small bumps on the ventral surface of the tongue and near the lingual frenulum. Further examination and specific treatment were not carried out, in accordance with the condition on the tongue.