Novel Effects of Statins on Cancer via Autophagy.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death globally. Most of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer are marked by complex aberrations that activate the critical cell-signaling pathways that play a pivotal role in cell metabolism, tumor development, cytoskeletal reorganization, and metastasis. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mammalian target of the rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway is one of the main signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Autophagy, a cellular pathway that delivers cytoplasmic components to lysosomes for degradation, plays a dual role in cancer, as either a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor, depending on the stage of the carcinogenesis. Statins are the group of drugs of choice to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Experimental and clinical data suggest the potential of statins in the treatment of cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the molecular mechanisms through which statins inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells in different types of cancer. The anticancer properties of statins have been shown to result in the suppression of tumor growth, the induction of apoptosis, and autophagy. This literature review shows the dual role of the autophagic process in cancer and the latest scientific evidence related to the inducing effect exerted by statins on autophagy, which could explain their anticancer potential.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Formocresol and Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline and Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Antibiotic Paste in Primary Teeth Pulpotomies: 24 month follow up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effectiveness of formocresol and the antibiotic paste CTZ (chloramphenicol, tetracycline and zinc oxide-eugenol) in primary teeth pulpotomies, during a 6, 12 and 24 month period. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 80 pulpotomies were performed in 58 patients between three and six years of age. The patients were selected and assigned to two groups: Group I Formocresol (FC, n=40), Group II chloramphenicol-tetracycline-zinc oxide eugenol (CTZ, n=40). The teeth were restored with glass ionomer and pre-formed stainless steel crowns. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: After 24 months of follow up a 100% and 94.3% clinical success was obtained, in the CTZ and formocresol groups respectively (x2= 0.450, p>0.05). The radiographic success was of 97.4% and 94.3% respectively (x2= 0.920, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The performance of the antibiotic paste CTZ was superior to formocresol. No statistically significant differences were observed between the treatment groups either clinically or radiographically. More randomized clinical trials should be performed before it can be indicated safely.

Efectividad clínica y radiográfica de la pasta antibiótica CTZ en pulpotomías de molares primarios: ensayo clínico aleatorio controlado / Clinical and radiographic effectiveness of antibiotic paste CTZ in primary molars pulpotomy: ramdomized controlled clinical trial

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar clínica y radiográficamente la efectividad de la pasta antibiótica CTZ en pulpotomías de molares primarios. Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorio controlado, en 40 molares primarios de 40 preescolares con edades entre 3 y 6 años. Los pacientes fueron seleccionados y asignados aleatoriamente a dos grupos: Formocresol (n=20), CTZ (Cloranfenicol-Tetraciclina-Oxido de Zinc Eugenol, n=20). Los dientes fueron restaurados con ionómero de vidrio y coronas metálicas de acero preformadas. La evaluación clínica y radiográfica fue realizada a los 3 y 6 meses. Se utilizó el programa SPSS v.17 para el análisis de los datos, y la aplicación del Test Exacto de Fisher al 5 %. El comportamiento clínico a los 3 meses mostró 75 % de éxito para los molares tratados con formocresol y 70 % para el CTZ. Radiográficamente se obtuvo 90 % de éxito para el grupo con formocresol y 100 % para la pasta CTZ. A los 6 meses el éxito clínico del formocresol fue de 85 % y del CTZ 80 %. El éxito radiográfico mostrado fue 65 % para los atendidos con formocresol y 80 % para el CTZ (p > 0,05). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de tratamiento. La pasta CTZ es una alternativa en el tratamiento de pulpotomías de molares temporales. Ofrece un efecto antimicrobiano, estabilización del proceso de reabsorción radicular, sin ocasionar daños a la formación del diente permanente.

The objective of this study to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of antibiotic paste CTZ in pulpotomy of primary molars. A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed, in 40 molars of 40 patients aged 3 to 6 years. Were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: Formocresol (n=20), CTZ (Chloramphenicol-Tetracycline-Zinc Oxide Eugenol, n=20). The teeth were restored with glass ionomer and performed steel metal crowns. Clinical and radiographic evaluation procedure was performed at 3 and 6 months. SPSS v.17 program for data analysis, and application of the Fisher exact test was used 5 %. The clinical behavior at 3 months showed 75 % success rate for molars treated with formocresol and 70 % for the CTZ. Radiographically 90 % success rate for the group with formocresol and 100 % for the CTZ paste was obtained. At 6 months formocresol clinical success was 85 % and 80 % CTZ. Radiographic success was shown 65 % for those treated with formocresol and 80 % for the CTZ (p>0.05). No significant differences in the results shown were observed. CTZ paste is an alternative in the treatment of pulpotomy of molars. It provides an antimicrobial effect, stabilizing the process of root resorption, without causing damage to the permanent tooth formation.