Comparative molecular analysis of bacterial species associated with periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder affecting the supporting teeth structures, including gingiva, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, causing loss of connective tissue, reabsorption of alveolar bone and formation of periodontal pockets. The aim of this study is to find a correlation between bacterial growth and periodontal disease. Fifty-seven patients aged between 21 and 65 years, median age 46 years, were enrolled. According to gingival pocket depth, ranging from 3 to 7 mm, patients were divided into two groups: the first (30 patients, 53%) with deep pockets ³ 5 mm and the second (27 patients, 47%) less than 5 mm. The samples taken were processed for microbiological analysis by absolute quantitative real-time Taq-Man technique. Patients affected by periodontal disease were 32 (56%) and patients with gingival bleeding were 35 (61%). This data showed that the presence, the type and the bacterial load in gingival pockets were strongly correlated with gingival depth, periodontal disease and gingival bleeding. Quantitative microbiological analysis is a key point to improve patient compliance, allowing to choose the specific antibiotic treatment. avoiding antibiotic resistance and ensuring the successful outcome of therapy for periodontal disease.

Impact of capsaicin on mast cell inflammation.

Mast cells are inflammatory cells, and they are prominent in inflammatory diseases such as allergy and asthma. Mast cells possess high-affinity receptors for IgE (FcERI) and the cross-linking of these receptors is essential to trigger the secretion of granules containing arachidonic acid metabolism (such as prostaglandin (PG) D2, leukotriene (LT) B4, and LTC4), histamine, cytokines, chemokines, and proteases, including mast cell-specific chymases and tryptases. Activation of mast cells provokes the secretion of cytokines and mediators that are responsible for the pathologic reaction of immediate hypersensitivity. Sensory nerve stimulation by irritants and other inflammatory mediators provokes the release of neuropeptides, causing an increase in vascular permeability, plasma extravasation and edema. Trigeminal nerve stimulation actives dura mast cells and increases vascular permeability, effects inhibited by capsaicin. Capsaicin causes release of sensory neuropeptide, catecholamines and vasodilation. Several studies have reported that capsaicin is effective in relief and prevention of migraine headaches, improves digestion, helps to prevent heart disease, and lowers blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The findings reported in these studies may have implications for the pathophysiology and possible therapy of neuroinflammatory disorders.