Melatonin improves nitric oxide bioavailability in isoproterenol induced myocardial injury.

Isoproterenol administration is associated with cardiac inflammation and decreased NO availability. Melatonin has been reported to have cardioprotective effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on NO bioavailability and inflammation in myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol. Isoproterenol was administrated in male Wistar rats for 7 days to induce cardiac injury. The animals were divided into 3 groups: Control, Isoproterenol, Isoproterenol + Melatonin. Animals received melatonin for 7 days. Echocardiographic analysis was performed and the hearts were collected for molecular analysis. Animals that received isoproterenol demonstrated a reduction in left ventricle systolic and diastolic diameter, indicating the presence of concentric hypertrophy. Melatonin was able to attenuate this alteration. Melatonin also improved NO bioavailability and decreased NF-κß, TNFα and IL-1ß expression. In conclusion, melatonin exhibited a cardioprotective effect which was associated with improving NO bioavailability and decreasing the pro-inflammatory proteins.

Is imiquimod a promising drug to treat oral mucosa diseases? A scoping review and new perspectives.

Imiquimod (IMQ) is a chemotherapeutic and immunostimulant drug that is applied topically, demonstrating antitumor and antiviral activities. The objective of this review was to compile data on the off-label use of IMQ in oral mucosal diseases. IMQ has exhibited effectiveness in the treatment of various oral mucosal conditions, including oral carcinogenic lesions, neoplasms, HPV-related lesions and autoimmune disorders. Although IMQ holds promise as a potential strategy for addressing oral mucosal lesions, it is important to note that significant side effects have been frequently reported. Nonetheless, it is crucial to develop and test new technological systems, such as the combination of nanotechnology with innovative drug delivery platforms. These advancements aim to minimize side effects and prolong the drug's contact time with the mucosa, preventing its removal by salivary flow.

Study of Pathological Changes in the Dental Follicle of Disease-Free Impacted Third Molars.

BACKGROUND: The prophylactic extraction of third molars is a common practice in dental offices, but divergent opinions are found in the literature regarding the indication of this procedure. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of pathological changes associated with the pericoronal tissue of asymptomatic impacted third molars that could justify prophylactic extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in which 109 pericoronal tissues with no radiographic evidence of pathology were histopathologically analyzed. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed individually by two pathologists. RESULT: The frequency of inflammatory infiltrate in the dental follicle of patients older than 20 years of age was significantly higher than that of younger patients (p = 0.004), demonstrating an association between inflammation in the dental follicle and patient age. The occurrence of squamous metaplasia was also greater in patients older than 20 years (p = 0.042), demonstrating that the prevalence of squamous metaplasia increases with age. A significant association was also found between inflammation and squamous metaplasia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pathological changes may be present in the dental follicle of impacted third molars even in the absence of clinical or radiographic signs of disease.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with photosensitizer in ethanol improves oxidative status and gingival collagen in a short-term in periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) effects using the methylene blue (MB) in ethanol 20% on systemic oxidative status and collagen content from gingiva of rats with periodontitis. METHODS: Rats were divided into five experimental groups: NC (negative control; no periodontitis); PC (positive control; periodontitis without any treatment); SRP (periodontitis and scaling and root planing), aPDT I (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in water), and aPDT II (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in ethanol 20%). After 7days of removal of the ligature, the periodontal treatments were performed. At 7/15/30days, gingival tissue was removed for morphometric analysis. The erythrocytes were used to evaluate systemic oxidative status. RESULTS: PC group showed higher lipoperoxidation levels at 7/15/30days. aPDT indicated a protective influence in erythrocytes at 15days observed by the elevation in levels of systemic antioxidant defense. aPDT II group was the only one that restored the total collagen area in 15days, and recovered the type I collagen area at the same time point. CONCLUSIONS: aPDT as an adjunct to the SRP can induce the systemic protective response against oxidative stress periodontitis-induced and recover the gingival collagen, thus promoting the healing periodontal, particularly when the MB is dissolved in ethanol 20%.