The impact of radiation caries on morbidity and mortality outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

AIMS: Radiation caries (RC) is a highly prevalent and chronic complication of head and neck radiotherapy (HNRT) and presents a challenge for clinicians and patients. The present study aimed to assess the impact of RC on the morbidity and mortality outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were divided into three groups: (1) RC (n = 20), (2) control (n = 20), and (3) edentulous (n = 20). Information regarding the number of appointments, dental procedures, osteoradionecrosis (ORN), prescriptions, and hospital admissions were collected. Mortality outcomes were assessed through disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. RC patients required more dental appointments (p < .001), restorations (p < .001), extractions (p = .001), and antibiotic and analgesic prescriptions (p < .001). Kaplan-Meier subgroup analyses showed a significantly increased risk of ORN in RC compared to edentulous patients (p = .015). RC patients presented lower DFS rates (43.2 months) than the control and edentulous groups (55.4 and 56.1 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RC impacts morbidity outcomes among cancer survivors due to increased demand for medication prescriptions, multiple specialized dental appointments, invasive surgical treatments, increased risk of ORN, and increased need for hospital admissions.

Artemisinin and deoxyartemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua L. promote distinct antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model.

Artemisia annua L., known for antimalarial activity, has demonstrated evidence of anti-inflammatory potential. Previously our research group reported the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effect of a sesquiterpene lactone-enriched fraction (Lac-FR) obtained from plant, containing artemisinin and deoxyartemisinin. Both the isolated compounds and Lac-FR evaluated on experimental animal models, in the formalin test showed that deoxyartemisinin reduced both neurogenic pain (56.55 %) and inflammatory pain (45.43 %). These findings were superior to the effect of artemisinin (reduction of 28.66 % and 33.35 %, respectively). In the tail flick test, the antinociceptive effect reported as a percentage of the maximum possible effect (%MPE), deoxyartemisinin showed a lower antinociceptive effect (41.57 %) compared to morphine (75.94 %) in 0.5 h. After 1.5 h, the MPE of deoxyartemisinin (87.99 %) exceeded the effect of morphine (47.55 %), without reversal with naloxone. The MPE of artemisinin (23.3 %) observed after 2 h was lower than deoxiartemisinin, without reversal with the opioid antagonist. Lac-FR and artemisinin demonstrated reductions in ear edema of 43.37 % and 48.19 %, respectively, higher than the effect of deoxyartemisinin (33.64 %). Artemisinin reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (76.96 %) more selectively when compared to interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) (48.23 %) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (44.49 %). Lac-FR showed greater selectivity in IL-6 reduction (56.49 %) in relationship to TNF-α (46.71 %) and IL-1ß (45.12 %), whereas deoxyartemisinin selectively reduced TNF-α (37.37 %). The results of our study indicate that the lactones isolated did not have relationship with the opioid system. Deoxyartemisinin showed a higher antinociceptive potential than artemisinin. Whereas, artemisinin showed a higher reduction of inflammation and mediators, with a better anti-inflammatory activity outcome.

Histological and mast cells evaluation after application of botulinum toxin type a in masseter muscles of rats.

Background: Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTX-A) has been largely used to reduce muscle strength of masseter and temporal muscles by producing a temporary weakening of their activity. This study aimed to evaluate the histological changes and the number of mast cells after the injection of BTX-A. Material and Methods: In the masseter muscle of rats in the periods of 1, 7, 15, and 30 days. These muscles were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue (TBO). The presence or absence of an inflammatory process and necrosis were analyzed by H&E in all area of the slide at 10X magnification. The number of mast cells was evaluated by counting 10 "hotspots" in the intra-muscular region on TBO-stained slides, 400X magnification. Statistical analysis was performed through two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Results: As a result, the inflammatory process and necrosis were not observed in any periods studied in both groups Regarding mast cells, there was no statistically significant increase in their quantity in the study group when compared to the control group in the evaluation periods of 7 days and 15 days. However, these mast cells increased significantly during the periods of 1 and 30 days. Conclusions: This study showed that even in the absence of an inflammatory process, there was an increase in the number of mast cells in the first 24 hours after the application of BTX-A, with a subsequent balance between the numbers of mast cells at 7 and 15 days, and again an increase after 30 days. Key words:Botulinum toxins type A, mast cells, masseter muscle.

ß-Glucans (Saccharomyces cereviseae) Reduce Glucose Levels and Attenuate Alveolar Bone Loss in Diabetic Rats with Periodontal Disease.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of oral ingestion of ß-glucans isolated from Saccharomyces cereviseae on the metabolic profile, expression of gingival inflammatory markers and amount of alveolar bone loss in diabetic rats with periodontal disease. Diabetes mellitus was induced in 48 Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg). After confirming the diabetes diagnosis, the animals were treated with ß-glucans (by gavage) for 28 days. On the 14th day of this period, periodontal disease was induced using a ligature protocol. ß-glucans reduced the amount of alveolar bone loss in animals with periodontal disease in both the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (p < 0.05). ß-glucans reduced blood glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in diabetic animals, both with and without periodontal disease (p < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment with ß-glucans reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and increased osteoprotegerin expression in animals with diabetes and periodontal disease (p < 0.05). It was concluded that treatment with ß-glucans has beneficial metabolic and periodontal effects in diabetic rats with periodontal disease.