Differential expression of inflammasome regulatory transcripts in periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: The inflammasome modulates the release of key proinflammatory cytokines associated with periodontal disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins that regulate the inflammasome, namely pyrin domain-only proteins (POPs), caspase activation recruitment domain (CARD)-only proteins, and tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) proteins, in periodontal diseases. METHODS: A total of 68 participants (34 males and 34 females) were divided into four groups, including periodontal health (H), gingivitis (G), chronic periodontitis (CP), and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) based on clinical parameters. Gingival tissue samples were obtained from all participants for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based gene expression analyses of molecules that regulate the inflammasome, including apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) containing CARD, caspase-1, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-18 (IL-18), nucleotide-binding domain, leucine rich family (NLR) pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), NLR family pyrin domain containing 2 (NLRP2), AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2), POP1, POP2, CARD16, CARD18, TRIM16, and TRIM20 by RT-PCR. RESULTS: NLRP3 and IL-1ß were upregulated in the G, CP, and AgP groups compared with group H (P < 0.05). AIM2 was downregulated in the CP group compared with the H, G, and AgP groups (P < 0.05). TRIM20, TRIM16, and CARD18 were downregulated in the G, CP, and AgP groups compared with the H group (P < 0.05). POP1 and POP2 were downregulated in the CP and AgP, and AgP and G groups, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Active periodontal disease may result in downregulation of inflammasome regulators that may increase the activity of NLRP3 and IL-1ß in periodontal disease.

An unusual complication during arthrocentesis: N. facialis paralysis, with N. lingualis and N. alveolaris inferior anesthesia.

This case report aims to review complications that can occur during arthrocentesis and report an unusual complication observed in a 55-year-old man. The patient received arthrocentesis in an attempt to treat painful locking episodes of his right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). One hour after the operation, the patient experienced temporary facial paralysis in the area of the facial nerve and anesthesia of the lingual and alveolar inferior nerves. No persistent complications were detected during the postoperative follow-up. We suspected this complication occurred after anesthetic solution overflowed from a traumatic perforation in the joint capsule to the infratemporal area during the operation. To our knowledge, this complication has not been previously reported in the literature.

Effects of bodybuilding and protein supplements in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and serum.

The effects of bodybuilding and protein supplements on periodontal tissues have not yet been evaluated. The present study aimed to examine the periodontal status and interleukin (IL)-1ß, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase-recruitment domain (ASC), and caspase 1 (CASP1) gene expression levels of body builders compared with those of controls. Twenty-five bodybuilders with gingivitis (BB-G) who used protein powder supplements were compared with 25 nonexercising males with (G) and 25 without (H) gingivitis. Saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and serum were collected for gene expression analysis. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. GI and BOP were higher in group BB-G and G than in group H (P < 0.01), but PI, PD, and CAL were similar between groups (P > 0.05). In GCF, CASP1, ASC, and IL-1ß expression were upregulated in group G compared with groups BB-G and H (P < 0.01). In addition, ASC (P < 0.05) and IL-1ß (P < 0.01) were downregulated in group BB-G compared with group H. CASP1, IL-1ß (P < 0.01), and ASC in the saliva were downregulated in group BB-G compared with groups H and G (P < 0.05). CASP1, IL-1ß, and ASC may play a role in the pathogenesis of gingivitis. Bodybuilding and supplement usage may decrease gingival inflammation by downregulating CASP1, IL-1ß, and ASC.