Hsp27 (HSPB1) differential expression in normal salivary glands and pleomorphic adenomas and association with an increased Bcl2/Bax ratio.

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common salivary gland neoplasm. The Hsp27 (HSPB1) is an antiapoptotic protein whose synthesis follows cytotoxic stresses and result in a transient increase in tolerance to subsequent cell injury. Although Hsp27 is expressed in a range of normal tissues and neoplasms, a wide variation in its expression exists among different cells and tissues types. In certain tumours of glandular origin (such as oesophageal adenocarcinomas), the level of Hsp27 is decreased. In the present study, Hsp27 protein levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a set of 18 fresh PA and 12 normal salivary gland samples. In addition, we tested if Hsp27 protein levels correlated with p53 expression and cell proliferation index, as well as with the transcriptional levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and Caspase 3 in PA. We further tested the association between Hsp27 expression and PA tumour size. While all normal salivary gland samples expressed Hsp27 protein, only half of the PA samples expressed it, resulting in a reduced expression of Hsp27 in PA when compared with normal salivary glands (P = 0.003). The expression levels of this protein correlated positively with a higher messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) ratio of Bcl2/Bax (R = 0.631; P = 0.01). In conclusion, a decreased Hsp27 protein expression level in PA was found. In addition, Hsp27 levels correlated positively with the Bcl2/Bax mRNA ratio, suggesting an antiapoptotic effect.

The association of openness personality trait with stress-related salivary biomarkers in burning mouth syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder defined as a burning sensation in the oral mucosa without evidence of pathological findings. Its pathophysiology is largely unknown, but psychiatric disorders and personality traits have been implicated. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether there is any association between salivary biomarkers and personality traits in BMS patients. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional, controlled study that evaluated 30 individuals with BMS and 32 controls. All subjects were assessed with a structured psychiatric interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and the Big Five inventory. Salivary levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neural growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and cortisol were determined. RESULTS: We found that BMS patients exhibited more traits of neuroticism and lower openness than controls. Openness showed a moderate and negative correlation with cortisol, BDNF and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Personality traits are associated with salivary biomarkers in BMS.

Burning mouth syndrome: a therapeutic approach involving mechanical salivary stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of salivary stimulation therapy on the salivary flow, quality of saliva, and symptoms in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). BACKGROUND: BMS is a chronic disorder characterized by a burning sensation. Some reports have proposed a role for saliva in the pathogenesis of BMS. METHODS: Twenty-six BMS patients underwent treatment with salivary mechanical stimulation. Resting and stimulated saliva were collected before and after therapy. Salivary levels of total protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and nerve growth factor were assessed before and 90 days after therapy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the burning sensation and number of burning sites as well as an improvement of taste disturbances and xerostomia were observed after therapy. The salivary flow was not significantly modified. However, the therapy resulted in a significant decrease in salivary levels of total protein and an increase of tumor necrosis factor-α. CONCLUSION: Salivary mechanical stimulation therapy is effective in reducing clinical symptoms of BMS.

The impact of burning mouth syndrome on health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic disorder that is characterized by a burning sensation and a normal clinical appearance of the oral mucosa. This condition often affects the health-related quality of life in patients. As such, the aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life of patients with BMS and healthy controls, using the validated Portuguese versions of the SF-36 and OHIP-49 questionnaires. METHODS: A calculated sample of Brazilian patients with BMS (n = 26) was compared with a control group (n = 27), paired for gender and age. Sociodemographic information and clinical characteristics were obtained, and interviews were conducted using the SF-36 and OHIP-49. To evaluate the normality of the variables, we used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The chi-square test, Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney U-Test were used to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with BMS and controls Mann-Whitney U-test were carried out to compare SF-36 and OHIP-49 between BMS patients and controls. The significance level was set at 0.05. To compare the dimensions of the SF-36 and OHIP-49 between BMS patients and controls, we considered Bonferroni correction. So for comparison of the dimensions, the significance level was set at 0.00625 for SF-36 and at 0.00714 for OHIP-49. RESULTS: The clinical and demographic data were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). SF-36 scores were significantly lower in all domains for patients with BMS (P < 0.00625). OHIP-49 scores were higher for individuals with BMS (P < 0.00714). CONCLUSIONS: BMS has a negative impact on the health-related quality of life of individuals, as can be shown by instruments such as the SF-36 and OHIP-49. So, the evaluation of quality of life might be useful for more information about the nature and severity of BMS, to evaluate the effects of treatment protocols, in order to improve their outcomes by means a humanized clinical practice.

Cell phone use and parotid salivary gland alterations: no molecular evidence.

BACKGROUND: The association between cell phone use and the development of parotid tumors is controversial. Because there is unequivocal evidence that the microenvironment is important for tumor formation, we investigated in the parotid glands whether cell phone use alters the expression of gene products related to cellular stress. METHODS: We used the saliva produced by the parotid glands of 62 individuals to assess molecular alterations compatible with cellular stress, comparing the saliva from the gland exposed to cell phone radiation (ipsilateral) to the saliva from the opposite, unexposed parotid gland (contralateral) of each individual. We compared salivary flow, total protein concentration, p53, p21, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and salivary levels of glutathione (GSH), heat shock proteins 27 and 70, and IgA between the ipsilateral and contralateral parotids. RESULTS: No difference was found for any of these parameters, even when grouping individuals by period of cell phone use in years or by monthly average calls in minutes. CONCLUSION AND IMPACT: We provide molecular evidence that the exposure of parotid glands to cell phone use does not alter parotid salivary flow, protein concentration, or levels of proteins of genes that are directly or indirectly affected by heat-induced cellular stress.

Psychiatric disorders in burning mouth syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is high, but their role in the pathogenesis of BMS remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the frequency of psychiatric disorders and the severity of psychopathology in BMS. METHODS: Thirty BMS patients and thirty-one controls underwent a psychiatric evaluation which included a structured interview (MINI-Plus) and five psychometric scales. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure the intensity of burning sensation. RESULTS: Patients with BMS showed a higher frequency of current major depressive disorder, past major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, hypochondria and cancerophobia (p<0.05). In BMS patients, generalized anxiety disorder was significantly associated with current major depression and social phobia (p<0.05). As expected, cancerophobia was significantly associated with hypochondria (p<0.05). Patients with BMS had higher scores in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Dutch Fatigue Scale (DUFS) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: BMS patients may have a particular psychological and/or psychiatric profile. Psychometric scales might be useful in screening psychiatric disorders, as well as for assessment of treatment outcomes. In the presence of clinical relevant psychiatric symptoms, patients must be treated appropriately.