Lack of association between burning mouth syndrome and hematinic deficiencies

The aim of our investigation was to evaluate possible connection between burning mouth syndrome and hematinic deficiencies, a hypothesis previously reported in the literature with contradictory results. Serum levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, calcium and magnesium were determined in 41 (aged 31-87 years, mean 68,7 yrs) patients with burning mouth syndrome and 35 matched controls (35-83, mean 63 yrs). Serum iron levels were determined according to Fairbanks and Klee. Levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid were determined on commercially available kits (Imx12 and Imx folate assay, Abbot Park lab, IL, USA) on Imx analyser. Calcium and magnesium levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No statistically significant differences in serum levels of iron, folic acid, calcium and magnesium were found between patients with burning mouth syndrome and controls. Statistically significant lowered vitamin B12 levels were found in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Our results suggest that serum deficiencies of iron, folic acid, calcium and magnesium are not etiological factor in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Osteogenic protein-1 is produced by human fetal trophoblasts in vivo and regulates the synthesis of chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone by trophoblasts in vitro

Osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1/BMP-7), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) superfamily of proteins, is shown to be expressed at sites of epithelial-mesenchymal tissue interaction during human fetal development. In the present study, we examined the expression of OP-1 in human placentas (5-11 weeks of gestation and full term) using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods. The results show that OP-1 was expressed in cytotrophoblasts (Langhans layer) of the chorionic villi in early and full term placentas. Employing highly purified cytotrophoblast cultures which fused to form functional syncytiotrophoblasts, we showed that exogenously added recombinant OP-1, in the presence of low serum concentration, reduced the secretion of chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone by 60% and 36%, respectively, compared with control cultures. The results suggest that osteogenic protein-1 is synthesized locally by cytotrophoblasts and may be involved in the regulation of human pregnancy by controlling reproductive hormonal secretion.

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes and genotypes as determined by polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific oligonucleotide probes and the amplification refractory mutation system in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The frequency of apolipoprotein E (apo E) phenotypes and genotypes due to allelic variation at amino acids 112 and 158 was analysed in 50 children with type I diabetes. Phenotypes were determined by isoelectric focusing and genotypes by the technique of polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR/ASO) and the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). Discrepancies between phenotypes and genotypes as assigned by PCR/ASO were observed in 12 (24%) cases and by ARMS in eight (16%) cases. Results revealed the apo E3/3 genotype, as assigned by ARMS, to be the most frequent one (70%), followed by apo E3/4 in 16%, apo E2/2 in 2%, apo E2/3 in 8%, apo E2/4 in 2% and apo E4/4 in 2% of the cases. Apo E3/4 genotype and phenotype were more frequently present in the children with type I diabetes as compared with the diabetic adults previously reported on.