Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of occlusal support: radiological study.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint might be associated with ageing and/or with the loss of occlusal support. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the inclination of the posterior slope of the articular eminence changes in association with: (i) ageing in patients with maintained occlusal support zones (OSZs); and (ii) the loss of OSZs in elders. METHODS: In this retrospective radiological study, selected orthopantomograms were allocated into the following groups: I-age 18-35, maintained OSZs, II-age 36-60, maintained OSZs, III-age >60, at least one OSZ per side maintained, IV-age >60, loss of all OSZs. The inclination of the articular eminence was measured relative to the Frankfort plane. RESULTS: The mean values of the inclination of the slope of the articular eminence amounted 34.05° ± 5.17°, 36.68° ± 5.65°, 34.86° ± 6.26° and 26.31° ± 5.12° for group I, II, III and IV respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups I to III. Group IV differed significantly from each of the previous groups. CONCLUSIONS: Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of OSZs rather than ageing.

Exposure to air pollution and oxidative stress markers in patients with potentially malignant oral disorders.

The etiopathogenesis of potentially malignant oral disorders (PMOD) has not been fully understood yet. Recent results suggest that oxidative stress may be involved in the etiology of PMOD. Production of oxidants seems to be the major biological effect responsible for tissue injury and inflammatory response to air pollution. The aim of this study was to compare the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant potential in saliva of PMOD subjects and healthy controls in periods of high and low air pollution. Among enrolled 40 participants, there were 20 PMOD patients and 20 healthy volunteers. The exposure to air pollution was assessed by exhaled CO (eCO). Four oxidative status parameters: 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in saliva. Measurements were carried out in June (low air pollution) and November (increased air pollution). In both groups, significantly higher concentrations of 8-OHdG (P < 0.001 for PMOD patients and P = 0.001 for healthy controls), MDA (P = 0.002 and P = 0.012 respectively) and eCO (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively) were observed in periods of high air pollution. The concentration of TAC did not change between visits. The concentration of salivary GSH (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 for both groups) decreased when compared between consecutive visits. We conclude that exhaled carbon monoxide (reflecting exposure to air pollution) correlated with the oxidative stress markers in patients with PMOD and healthy controls.

Alterations in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in plasma and saliva in relation to disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with uncertain aetiology. Dysfunction of immunoregulatory factors and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the damage of the gastrointestinal tract. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are involved in protection of cells from the damaging effects of ROS. The aim of the study was to assess activity of antioxidative stress enzymes, GPx and SOD, in plasma and saliva of patients with active and inactive forms of CD. Forty-seven patients with CD were prospectively enrolled in the study. The control group comprised 25 healthy volunteers. Patients' demographics, clinical features, localization of inflammatory changes, CD history, and treatment were recorded. SOD and GPx were assayed in plasma and saliva samples by ELISA method. CD activity index (CDAI) scores correlated inversely with SOD in plasma (r = - 0.46; P = 0.0012), but not in saliva. No correlations were observed in respect to GPx activities in both plasma and saliva and CDAI. Higher activity of plasma SOD was observed in patients with inactive CD in comparison with active CD (P = 0.004). No significant differences in SOD and GPx activity both in plasma and saliva were found between CD remission group and the control group. We concluded that in active CD the antioxidant defence system was diminished and returned to normal values in remission. Results of SOD and GPx assays in saliva are not conclusive, suggesting that saliva seems to be not an appropriate material for further similar studies.

Salivary oxidative status in patients with oral lichen planus.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including oral lichen planus. Therefore, determining the salivary markers of oxidative stress is an excellent alternative approach to diagnosing oral cavity diseases. The objective of our study was to provide preliminary validation and determination of the salivary markers of oxidative stress in both patients with reticular and erosive forms of oral lichen planus as well as in healthy individuals without any oral lesions. In total, 62 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) were enrolled in the study, including 31 with the reticular form of lichen planus (44.63 ± 11.05 years) and 31 with erosive forms (40.43 ± 10.05 years), who had never been treated for their disease. The control group comprised 30 individuals without any oral lesions (42.12 ± 12.22 years). We determined the saliva levels in glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The mean saliva levels of GSH and TAC were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in OLP patients compared to the control group. The mean levels of salivary TBARS were higher in both OLP groups (reticular and erosive) compared to the control group (P = 0.01). The lower saliva levels of GSH and TAC in patients with OLP indicate that free radicals and the resulting oxidative damage may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP lesions. In conclusion, monitoring the oxidant-antioxidant status of saliva may serve as an efficient and less intrusive marker for determining stages of disease development in patients with OLP.

Crouzon's syndrome: tooth morphological and microanalytical evaluation.

AIM: To assess the morphological and microanalytical structure of teeth in Crouzon's Syndrome. METHODS: A 21 year old patient with this condition was evaluated to demonstrate tooth morphology in this syndrome. Assessment of 4 teeth from this patient consisted of morphological analysis in SEM as well as microanalysis of elements. Sections were created in order to assess any defects of the enamel, dentine, root, and any demineralisation. RESULTS: Micro-analysis using x-ray techniques revealed lower levels of calcium and magnesium from this patient with Crouzon's as compared with samples from a normal healthy patient of comparable age. Furthermore, in the subject's teeth notable amounts of lead were found. CONCLUSION: Histological images revealed morphological abnormalities especially in dentine. Furthermore, in the dentine levels of calcium and magnesium were lowered according to the microanalytical tests.