Effects of tobacco on cytokine expression from human endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nicotine and cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) exposure on cytokine expression from human endothelial cells in order to identify one possible mechanism that smoking plays in the pathogenesis of both periodontal disease (PDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Human endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to different concentrations of nicotine and CSC to examine the effects that they have on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Non-toxic levels were then used to examine cytokine expression using cytokine protein arrays. RESULTS: Exposure to nicotine caused significant down-regulation in the expression of IL-10 (P = 0.046), growth-regulated oncogene (GRO)α (P = 0.036), MCP-1 (P = 0.046), and GMCSF (P = 0.004) compared with the control untreated HUVECs. Exposure to CSC caused significant down-regulation in the expression of GRO (P = 0.04), GROα (P = 0.01), IL-6 (P = 0.03), and MCP-1 (P = 0.04) compared with the control untreated HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of HUVECs to nicotine or CSC affects the levels of cytokine expression including reduction in anti-inflammatory and chemoattractant cytokines. This may subsequently affect the host defensive mechanisms of the tissues. The action of toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke on endothelial cells is a potential pathogenic mechanism that may in part explain the association between tobacco, PDD, and CVD.

In vivo effects of zoledronic acid on oral mucosal epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a serious complication of bisphosphonate treatment for which the pathophysiology is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in vivo zoledronic acid (ZA) induces alterations in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in oral mucosal epithelial cells. METHODS: One-year-old dogs were either untreated (control group) or given high doses of intravenous ZA (ZA group) for 3 months. The doses of ZA were equivalent to those given to cancer patients, yet were administered two times more frequently (every 2 weeks). Mucosal tissues were assessed immunohistochemically for cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and apoptosis (caspase 3 and TUNEL). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to PCNA, MMP-2, MMP-14, and TUNEL positive cells. However, the expression of MMP-9 was significantly higher in the control group than in the ZA group (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of caspase 3 was significantly lower in the control group than in the ZA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that high doses of ZA resulted in higher levels of apoptosis and lower levels of MMP-9 in the oral epithelial cells supporting the idea of bisphosphonate treatment affects the oral mucosa.

Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand in ligature-induced periodontitis in osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the expression of a key mediator that regulates differentiation of osteoclasts, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), in rats with or without osteoporosis and periodontitis, to provide a better understanding of the association between these two diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty adult Albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) experimentally induced periodontitis group; (3) experimentally induced osteoporosis group; and (4) experimentally induced osteoporosis and periodontitis group. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were obtained and animals were sacrificed. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity levels were measured. Histological evaluation and immunohistochemical detection of RANKL in the periodontal ligament and bone tissues were performed. RESULTS: There were significantly higher ALP levels in all of the experimental groups than in the control group. The pathology observed in the histological sections from group 4 was more severe than in either group 2 or group 3. The percentage of RANKL-immunoreactive cells in both the periodontal ligament and bone tissues in group 4 (16.8 +/- 5.1 and 11.2 +/- 5.2%, respectively) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the other groups. In the periodontal ligament, the percentage of RANKL-immunoreactive cells in group 2 (10.1 +/- 1.9%) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in group 3 (5.3 +/- 2.7%) and the control group (4.12 +/- 1.5%). CONCLUSION: The increased bone loss observed in group 4 compared with either group 2 or group 3 supports the existence of an additive pathological effect of the two disease conditions. This is consistent with the increased RANKL expression observed in group 4.

Bisphosphonates treatment and orthodontic considerations.

Currently, the use of oral and systemic forms of bisphosphonates is increasing dramatically in a large group of patients either in the form of anti-osteoporosis medications or as a part of a chemotherapeutic regimen for several malignant diseases. As adult orthodontic treatment has become more widely accepted in most orthodontic practices, orthodontists must be aware of the risks, benefits, and effects of bisphosphonates use on the patient's general health status, as well as on their orthodontic treatment outcomes. This review aims to discuss the use of bisphosphonates, the complications associated with their use, and their impact on orthodontic treatment.

A sign on CT that predicts a hazardous ureteral anomaly.

INTRODUCTION: An aberrant course of the distal ureter can pose a risk of ureteral injury during surgery for inguinal hernia repair and other groin operations. In a recent case series of inguinoscrotal hernation of the ureter, we found that each affected ureter was markedly anterior to the psoas muscle at its mid-point on abdominal CT. We hypothesized that this abnormality in the abdominal course of the ureter would predict the potentially hazardous aberrant course of the distal ureter. PRESENTATION OF CASES: We reviewed all evaluable CT urograms performed at St. Louis University Hospital from June 2012 to July 2013 and measured the ureteral course at several anatomically fixed points. DISCUSSION: 93% (50/54) of ureters deviated by less than 1cm from the psoas muscle in their mid-course (at the level of the L4 vertebra). Reasons for anterior deviation of the ureter in this study included morbid obesity with prominent retroperitoneal fat, congenital renal abnormality, and post-traumatic renal/retroperitoneal hematoma. We determined that the optimal level on abdominal CT to detect the displaced ureter was the mid-body of the L4 vertebra. CONCLUSION: Anterior deviation of the ureter in its mid-course appears to predict inguinoscrotal herniation of the ureter. This finding is a sensitive predictor and should raise concern for this anomaly in the appropriate clinical setting. It is not entirely specific as morbid obesity and congenital anomalies may result in a similar imaging appearance. We believe that this association has not been reported previously. Awareness of this anomaly can have significant operative implications.