Adipokine Chemerin Bridges Metabolic Dyslipidemia and Alveolar Bone Loss in Mice.

Chemerin is an adipokine that regulates adipogenesis and metabolic functions of mature adipocytes mainly through the activation of chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Elevated levels of chemerin have been found in individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. This adipokine was identified as an inflammatory and metabolic syndrome marker. Considering that the association between metabolic syndrome and bone health remains unclear, the present study aimed to clarify the role of chemerin in the pathophysiology of bone loss induced by dyslipidemia, particularly modulating osteoclastogenesis. In vitro analyses showed a downregulation of CMKLR1 at the early stage of differentiation and a gradual increase at late stages. Strikingly, chemerin did not modify osteoclast differentiation markers or osteoclast formation; however, it increased the actin-ring formation and bone resorption activity in mature osteoclasts. The increased bone resorption activity induced by chemerin was effectively inhibited by CMKLR1 antagonist (CCX832). Chemerin boosting mature osteoclast activity involves ERK5 phosphorylation. Moreover, two models of dyslipidemia (high-fat diet [HFD]-treated C57/BL6 and db/db mice) exhibited significantly increased level of chemerin in the serum and gingival tissue. Morphometric analysis showed that HFD-treated and db/db mice exhibited increased alveolar bone loss compared to respective control mice, which was associated with an up-regulation of chemerin, CMKLR1 and cathepsin K mRNA expression in the gingival tissue. The treatment of db/db mice with CCX832 effectively inhibited bone loss. Antagonism of chemerin receptor also inhibited the expression of cathepsin K in the gingival tissue. Our results show that chemerin not only increases osteoclasts activity in vitro, but also that increased level of chemerin in dyslipidemic mice plays a critical role in bone homeostasis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Gingival crevicular fluid volume and periodontal parameters alterations after use of conventional and self-ligating brackets.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations on plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume after use of three different brackets types for 60 days. Setting Participants: The sample comprised 20 patients of both sexes aged 11-15 years (mean age: 13.3 years), with permanent dentition, adequate oral hygiene, and mild tooth crowding, overjet, and overbite. METHODS: A conventional metallic bracket Gemini™, and two different brands of self-ligating brackets - In-Ovation®R and SmartClip™ - were bonded to the maxillary incisors and canines. PI, GI, GBI scores, and GCF volume were measured before and 30 and 60 days after bonding of the brackets. Data were analysed statistically using non-parametric tests coefficient at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05) between tooth crowding, overjet, and overbite and the PI, GI, GBI scores, and GCF volume before bonding, indicating no influence of malocclusion on the clinical parameters. Regardless of the bracket design, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was found for GI, GBI scores. PI and GCF volume showed a significant difference among the brackets in different periods. In pairwise comparisons a significant difference was observed when compared before with 60 days after bonding, for the teeth bonded with SmartClip™ self-ligating bracket, (PI P = 0.009; GCF volume P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was an increase in PI score and GCF volume 60 days after bonding of SmartClip™ self-ligating brackets, indicating the influence of bracket design on these clinical parameters.

Single vs Two-session Root Canal Treatment: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Study using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

AIMS: To compare root canal treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis (AP) in a single or two visits, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six pairs of teeth (13 patients) were assigned to two groups: Group single-session (GSS): Instrumentation and root canal filling in the same session; and group two-session (GTS): A calcium hydroxide intracanal medication (Calen(®) paste) was used for 14 days between two sessions. Cone beam computed tomography scans were obtained before and 12 months after treatment. The pre- and postoperative volume of the AP lesions was measured in mm(3). The percentages of volume reduction was compared using Student's t-test and the existence of significant difference between the groups for cases with ≤ 50% or > 50% lesion volume reduction was assessed by chi-squared test ratio likelihood test (α = 5%). RESULTS: The volume reduction was greater in GTS (79.25%) than GSS (68.35%), though without significant difference (p > 0.05). After 12 months, complete repair was not observed in any specimen. Lesion volume reduction > 50% was significantly greater with the use of an intracanal medication (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Twelve months posttreatment, CBCT did not show complete repair in any of the teeth, suggesting that this follow-up period is not sufficient for complete lesion regression. In both groups, similar AP lesion volume reduction was observed after 12 months, with a more advanced repair (> 50% volume reduction) in the teeth medicated with calcium hydroxide intracanal dressing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Calcium hydroxide intracanal dressing provided clinical evidence to indicate its use in teeth with apical periodontitis prior to definitive root canal filling.