Bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, promotes orthodontic tooth movement in an experimental rat model.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of bevacizumab on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The OTM model was constructed by placing an orthodontic coil spring between the maxillary first molar and anterior tooth. Bevacizumab (Avastin®; 10 mg/kg twice per week) was started one week before the OTM and continued for 3 weeks. After 1 and 2 weeks, OTM distance and anterior tooth mobility were measured. Thereafter, the maxilla was dissected for micro-CT microarchitectural analysis, followed by histological analysis, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Moreover, the distributions of collagen fibers type-I and -III (Col-I and Col-III) were evaluated using Picro-Sirius red staining. Results: Orthodontic force prompted bone resorption and formation on the pressure and tension sides, respectively. Bevacizumab therapy resulted in a 42% increase of OTM, particularly after 2 weeks. Furthermore, bevacizumab disturbed the morphometric structure at both pressure and tension sites. The histological evaluation indicated about 35-44% fewer osteoblasts in the bevacizumab group, especially at the tension side, whereas the proportion of TRAP-positive osteoclasts at the pressure side was 34-37% higher than the control. The mature Col-I was reduced at the tension site by 33%, whereas the Col-III/Col-I ratio was enhanced by 20-44% at pressure and tension sites, after 2 weeks, in the bevacizumab group. Conclusion: Anti-vascular bevacizumab therapy accentuates OTM in rat model, possibly through the enhancement of bone resorption, at the pressure side, and the reduction of bone formation, at the tension side as well as dysregulation of collagen fibers distribution.

The Effectiveness of Nigella sativa and Ginger as Appetite Suppressants: An Experimental Study on Healthy Wistar Rats.

Background: Obesity is a global pandemic that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Natural herbs are commonly used for weight reduction and appetite suppression. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role and mechanism of Nigella sativa (NS) and ginger on weight reduction and appetite regulation. Methods: This experimental study was performed at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Twenty-five female rats were distributed into 5 groups: NS (oral 1000mg/kg), Ginger (500 mg/kg), NS-ginger (both interventions), a positive control (intraperitoneal 50 µg/kg Liraglutide), and a negative control. Each intervention was given for 9 weeks. Food intake and body weight were assessed weekly. Serum lipid profile and peptides involved in appetite control (cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), ghrelin, peptide YY, and orexin) were assayed at the end of the experiment. Results: None of the interventions showed a statistically significant difference regarding food consumption or weight gain (p > 0.05). However, the three interventions significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), NS and NS-ginger significantly increased HDL, NS increased ghrelin and ginger increased orexin. Conclusion: The present dose and duration of NS, ginger, or in combination did not demonstrate a significant change in body weight or food consumption in comparison to the negative or positive controls. However, NS or ginger has improved the lipid profile by reducing TC and increasing HDL. In addition, NS or ginger can influence some of the peptides involved in appetite regulation such as the increase in ghrelin induced by NS and the reduction of orexin induced by ginger. We believe that these latter effects are novel and might indicate a promising effect of these natural products on appetite regulation.

Potential Antigenic Candidates for the Development of Peptide-Based Vaccines to Induce Immunization against Helicobacter pylori Infection in BALB/c Mice.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been identified as a group-1 definite carcinogen. As of yet, there is no available vaccine for this microorganism. Our study aimed to identify antigenic peptides in H. pylori using an in silico proteomic approach, and to evaluate their effectiveness as potential vaccine candidates. Four different peptide sequences were prioritized using the reverse vaccinology, namely, CagA1, CagA2, VacA, and SabA. Peptides emulsified with Freunde's adjuvant were used to immunize BALB/C mice. Subcutaneously immunized mice were challenged by oral administration of H. pylori. IgG, IgA, IL4, and IL17 were detected in mice sera. Histopathology of the dissected stomach of vaccinated and control mice were assessed using H&E stain. IgG was significantly higher in mice vaccinated with SabA. IL-4 was significantly increased in CagA1, CagA2, VacA, and SabA vaccinated mice compared to the adjuvant group. Additionally, histopathological examination of gastric tissue showed a protective effect in the vaccinated groups compared to adjuvant and PBS groups. Our findings indicate a promising effect of the tested epitopes, particularly the SabA antigen, to induce an immune response against H. pylori.

Habitual caffeine intake affects implant osseointegration: An in vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of habitual caffeine (CAF) intake on stability, bone regeneration, and expression of bone markers at the bone-implant interface. BACKGROUND: Studies show that habitual CAF alters bone health and remodeling. Yet, there is no information regarding CAF effects on osseointegration of bone-anchored implants. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into two groups: one received tap drinking water alone (control) and the other received tap water with CAF (300 mg/L). After 12 weeks, their tibiae received screw-shaped titanium implants. After another 12 weeks, CAF (n = 5) and control (n = 5) animals were sacrificed and the implant stability was evaluated using a removal torque (RTQ) device. Thereafter, the implants were processed for gene expression analysis, and the implantation sites were harvested for histology. Implants with the surrounding bone were dissected en bloc and subjected to micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). RESULTS: The results showed that implants in the CAF group had an 87% significant increase in RTQ compared to the control. Further, micro-CT revealed a higher proportion of mineralized bone filling the implant threads in the CAF group. The molecular analysis indicated higher expression of bone formation (ALP), remodeling (CatK), and vascularization (VEGF) genes in implant-adherent cells in the CAF group. Histology suggested increased vascularity in the tissue surrounding the implant in the CAF group. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limit of this study, it is concluded that habitual CAF intake conveys a positive, promoting effect on long-term osseointegration. Clinical studies are worth pursuing to verify this experimental observation.