Neurotrophic, Cytoprotective, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of St. John's Wort Extract on Differentiated Mouse Hippocampal HT-22 Neurons

Introduction: Since ancient times Hypericum perforatum L. named St. John's wort (SJW), has been used in the management of a wide range of applications, including nervous disorders. Development of mood disorders are due to alterations in glutamate metabolism, initiation of inflammatory pathways, and changes of the neuronal plasticity. Previous studies suggest that the glutamatergic system contributes to the pathophysiology of depression. Extracts of SJW have been recommended for the treatment of depression. The aim of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the action of STW3-VI, a special SJW extract in differentiated mouse hippocampal HT-22 neurons. We evaluated the stimulation of neurogenesis, the protective effect against glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor induced-excitotoxicity and its anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-activated human macrophages. Results: After 48 h treatment, STW3-VI stimulated the neurite formation by 25% in comparison with the control and showed protective effects against glutamate- or NMDA-induced cytotoxicity by significantly increasing the viability about +25 or +50%. In conjunction with these effects, after pretreatment with STW3-VI, the intracellular reduced glutathione content was significantly 2.3-fold increased compared with the neurons incubated with glutamate alone. Additionally, pre-treatment of human macrophages with STW3-VI showed anti-inflammatory effects after 24 or 48 h concerning inhibition of LPS-induced TNF release by -47.3 and -53.8% (24 h) or -25.0 to -64.8% (48 h). Conclusions: Our data provide new evidence that STW3-VI protects hippocampal cells from NMDA- or glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, our results indicate a morphological remodeling by increasing neurite outgrowth and activation of the anti-inflammatory defense by inhibition of the cytokine production in human macrophages after STW3-VI treatment. These protective, neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial in the treatment of depressive disorders.

Oral Health in the Children's Preventive Health Care Initiative: indicators and goals in a Primary Health Care Service

The objective of this study is to assess fulfillment of the oral health goals of the Children's Preventive Health Care Initiative in 12 Health Units (HU) of a Primary Health Care Service, in Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, through a cross-sectional analytical study on the annual dental visit coverage in early childhood. The study was comprised of 660 children born in 2010. In relation to the coverage of dental visits for each year of life of children, the health units did not achieve the set targets (100%). However, a considerable number of children (35%) had their first dental visit during the first year of life. In relation to the total number of visits, 22% of the children had never gone to the dentist and only 8% did the recommended four visits. There was a positive correlation between the ratio of the total population and children from ages 0 to 4 years in the area enrolled in the initiative, on the one hand, and the number of dental professionals and coverage in the first year of life in each health unit, on the other. Although few children had adequate follow-up visits in relation to the set targets, the percentage of coverage was higher than that found in the literature.

Clareamento de dentes tratados endodonticamente: uma revisão da literatura

Na Odontologia contemporânea, a estética sofreu uma valorização significativa, ganhando destaque e importância. Nesse contexto, a beleza é influenciada pelo contorno, forma, simetria, alinhamento e, principalmente, pela cor dos dentes. O clareamento de dentes anteriores desvitalizados escurecidos tem se tornado uma terapia muito requisitada, uma vez que o escurecimento dos dentes é motivo de grande insatisfação por parte dos pacientes. Esta revisão de literatura tem como objetivo analisar os dados disponíveis na literatura sobre este assunto, uma vez que a associação entre o clareamento interno e a reabsorção radicular externa cervical é uma questão que ainda gera dúvidas na prática odontológica. O clareamento interno apresenta resultados esteticamente satisfatórios, no entanto, apresenta como possível efeito colateral a reabsorção radicular cervical externa, que prejudica ou até mesmo inviabiliza a permanência do elemento dental na cavidade bucal. A etiologia da reabsorção radicular externa relacionada ao clareamento é complexa, no entanto acredita-se que o agente clareador alcance os tecidos periodontais através dos túbulos dentinários, desnature a dentina, que passa a ser considerada um tecido imunologicamente diferente, sendo reconhecida como um corpo estranho e inicia uma reação inflamatória que resulta na perda localizada de tecido dental. Outra limitação do clareamento de dentes tratados endodonticamente é a recidiva da cor, ainda pouco compreendida. Apesar do clareamento de dentes desvitalizados ter um alto índice de sucesso e de sua natureza minimamente invasiva, os possíveis efeitos colaterais, tais como a reabsorção cervical externa e a recidiva de cor devem ser levados em consideração no momento de sua indicação.