Association between crack cocaine use and reduced salivary flow

Abstract Crack cocaine use appears to have an impact on oral conditions. However, changes in the salivary flow among crack users have not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to compare stimulated salivary flow and the occurrence of hyposalivation between crack users and non-users. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 40 crack users and 40 controls matched for sex, age, and smoking habits. Interviews were conducted to acquire data on the perception of dry mouth (xerostomia) and drug use. Stimulated salivary flow was determined using the spitting method. A significant reduction in stimulated salivary flow was found among crack users in comparison to non-users (1.02 vs. 1.59 ml/min). A total of 42.5% and 15% of crack users had very low and low stimulated salivary flow, respectively. Moreover, 65% of users reported xerostomia in comparison to 37.5% non-users (p < 0.012). No significant association was found between xerostomia and hyposalivation (p = 0.384). A multivariate analysis revealed that individuals older than 26 years of age, those with a low household income, and crack users (prevalence ratio: 2.59) had a significant association with the occurrence of hyposalivation. A significant association was found between the use of crack and reduced salivary flow. The use of crack was associated with the occurrence of hyposalivation in the multivariate analysis.

Oral health assessment for users of marijuana and cocaine/crack substances

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the oral health status of users of illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine/crack and compare it with individuals not using these chemical substances. Questionnaires were applied to 35 illicit drugs users to gather information on demographic status, general health, and use of drugs. Then, a clinical assessment of the oral health condition was performed to collect data on decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index, salivary flow rate (SFR), and mucosal lesions. The control group was composed of 35 non-illicit drug users. In the experimental group, 91.43% were males, 80% were smokers, and 42.85% were alcoholics. Cocaine was the most common drug used (77.15%), followed by marijuana (68.6%), and crack (51.4%). The average DMFT index was 9.8 and the SFR was reduced in 60% of subjects. Mucosal alterations were detected, but no potentially malignant disorders or oral cancer were diagnosed. Compared to control group, significantly higher values for gender (40%, p = 0.0001), smoking (22.86%) and heavy drinking (5.7%) habits (p = 0.0001), SFR (31.4%; p = 0.0308), and oral lesions (p = 0.0488) were found for the experimental group, although significantly higher values were found in the control group for DMFT index (p = 0.0148). It can be concluded that the use of illicit drugs contributed to an increased prevalence of oral mucosa lesions. In addition, a decline on SFR and a reduced DMFT index was observed for illicit drug users.

Caries experience and salivary aspects in individuals with fragile X syndrome

Abstract Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of hereditary mental retardation, but studies on the oral health condition of these patients are rare. The aim of this study was to determine the experience of dental caries in individuals with FXS, by examining the saliva profile, oral hygiene, socioeconomic characteristics and use of controlled drugs in these patients. Dental health was estimated using the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMF-T) and sialometry, and the pH value and buffering capacity of the saliva, colony forming units of S. mutans (CFU/mL), visible biofilm index, and socioeconomic status were all examined. The sample, comprising 23 individuals, had an average age of 17.3 ± 5.6 years, a DMF-T index of 5.5, a diminished salivary flow (78.3%), and a low (73.9%) saliva buffering capacity. Most (52.2%) individuals presented with a high abundance (CFU/mL) of S. mutans. The experience of caries was correlated with salivary parameters, poor oral hygiene, lower socioeconomic status and an increased count of S. mutans in saliva.

Drugs or disease: evaluating salivary function in RA patients

Abstract Oral complications of RA may include temporomandibular joint disorders, mucosa alterations and symptoms of dry mouth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary gland function of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comparing it to healthy controls. Subjects with other systemic conditions known to affect salivary functions were excluded. A questionnaire was applied for the evaluation of xerostomia. Resting and chewing-stimulated salivary flow rates (SFR) were obtained under standard conditions. There were 145 subjects included of the study (104 RA and 38 controls). About 66.7% of the RA subjects and 2.4% in control group presented xerostomia. The median resting SFR were 0.24 ml/min for RA subjects and 0.40 mL/min for controls (p = 0.04). The median stimulated SFR were 1.31 mL/min for RA subjects and 1.52 ml/min for controls (p = 0.33). No significant differences were found between resting and stimulated SFR of RA subjects not using xerogenic medications and controls. There was significantly higher number of subjects presenting hyposalivation in the RA group than among controls, even when subjects using xerogenic medications were eliminated from the analysis. In conclusion, hyposalivation and xerostomia were more frequent among RA subjects not using xerogenic medication than among controls, although there were no significant differences in the median SFR between groups.

Effect of Gongronema latifolium ethanol leaf extract on gastric acid secretion and cytoprotection in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / Efecto del extracto de etanol de las hojas de Gongronema latifolium sobre la secreción del ácido gástrico y la citoprotección en ratas con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina

OBJECTIVES: Gongronema latifolium leaves have been used in folklore medicine to manage diabetes mellitus and alleviate dyspepsia. This study aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Gongronema latifolium as an antidiabetic and antiulcerogenic agent in diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Ethanol extract from the leaf (200 mg/kg bodyweight) of Gongronema latifolium was administered to both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control groups orally for 14 days. Gastric acid secretion was measured and ulcer was induced using ethanol and fourhour pyloric ligation. RESULTS: The mean bodyweight was significantly lower (p < 0.01), while the mean weight of the stomach, liver and small intestine to bodyweight ratio was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the two diabetic groups compared to control. Extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose level similar to the nondiabetic control. Basal and stimulated acid secretion in diabetic control rats was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased when compared to control. Extract administration increased the stimulated gastric acid secretion to a level significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control while reduction in gastric secretion by ranitidine was similar compared with control. Gongronema latifolium treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ulcer scores in both ulcer models and increased mucus weight in the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Gongronema latifolium antiulcerative activity is due to its prevention of chemicalinduced stomach injury.

OBJETIVOS: Las hojas de la gongronema latifolium han sido usadas en la medicina tradicional para tratar la diabetes mellitus y aliviar la dispepsia. Este estudio estuvo dirigido a proporcionar una base farmacológica al uso medicinal de la gongronema latifolium como agente antidiabético y antiulcerogénico en la diabetes mellitus. MÉTODOS: El extracto de etanol de la hoja (200 mg/kg peso corporal) de la Gongronema latifolium se administró oralmente durante 14 días a grupos con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina, y grupos de control. La secreción ácida gástrica fue moderada y la úlcera fue inducida usando etanol, y ligazón pilórica de cuatro horas. RESULTADOS: El peso corporal promedio fue significativamente más bajo (p < 0.01), mientras que el peso promedio del estómago, el hígado y el intestino delgado con respecto a la proporción del peso corporal aumentó significativamente (p < 0.05) en los dos grupos diabéticos comparados con los controles. El extracto redujo significativamente (p < 0.01) el nivel de glucosa de la sangre, de manera similar al control no diabético. La secreción ácida basal y estimulada en las ratas diabéticas control disminuyó significativamente (p < 0.01) en comparación con el control. La administración del extracto aumentó la secreción ácida gástrica estimulada a un nivel significativamente (p < 0.05) superior al control, en tanto que la reducción de secreción gástrica mediante ranitidina fue similar comparada con el control. El tratamiento con Gongronema latifolium redujo significativamente (p < 0.05) las puntuaciones de las úlceras, tanto en los modelos de la úlcera como en el peso de mucosidad aumentado en el grupo diabético. CONCLUSIÓN: Estos resultados sugieren que la actividad antiulcerosa de la Gongronema latifolium se debe a que previene las lesiones de estómago inducidas por medios químicos.

Effects of radiation and alpha-tocopherol on saliva flow rate, amylase activity, total protein and electrolyte levels in oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate early and late effects of radiation and a-tocopherol on the secretion rate of saliva and on selected saliva salivary parameters in oral cavity cancer patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: Eighty-nine histologically confirmed oral cavity cancer patients (OCC) were enrolled in the study. Resting whole saliva was collected before, during and at the end of the radiation therapy (RT) and simultaneous supplementation with alpha - tocopherol to the radiation treated patients (RT + AT). RESULTS: Salivary flow rate, pH, amylase activity, total protein, sodium and potassium were analyzed. Increased pH, potassium and decreased flow rate, amylase activity, protein content and sodium were observed in 6 weeks of radiation treated patients when compared to OCC patients. A significant improvement of those parameters was observed on alpha - tocopherol supplementation in RT + AT patients. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with alpha - tocopherol improves the salivary flow rate thereby, maintains salivary parameters.

Effect of some Sitavirya drugs on gastric secretion and ulceration.

Four Sitavirya plants viz. Satavari (fresh root juice, 1250 mg/kg), Yastimadhu (water decoction of root, 600 mg/kg), Kutaja and Aswattha (water decoctions of bark; 400 and 500 mg/kg respectively) were studied for their effects on different models of gastroduodenal ulcers in rats, when given orally for 3 days. All of them were found to protect the animals against 2 hr cold restraint stress and pylorus ligation-induced gastric and cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. However, they were ineffective against acute aspirin-induced gastric ulcers. The antiulcerogenic effect could be due to their inhibitory effect on offensive acid-pepsin secretion and augmentation of mucosal defensive factors in terms of enhanced mucin secretion and decreased cell shedding.

Octreotide (SMS 201-995) as an antisecretory agent in cholera toxin & bile acid induced intestinal secretion in an in vivo animal study.

The effect of Octreotide (SMS 201-995), synthetic somatostatin analogue on small intestinal and colonic fluid secretion induced respectively by cholera toxin (CT) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) was investigated in rabbits using in vivo isolated loops. After exposure to CT and DCA, marked fluid accumulation was observed in the small intestinal and colonic loops, along with elevation of jejunal and colonic mucosal cyclic AMP concentrations. Octreotide inhibited CT and DCA induced small intestinal and colonic secretion, dose-dependently. This anti-secretory effect was observed after both intramuscular and oral administration of octreotide. In contrast, octreotide did not affect the elevated mucosal cyclic AMP concentrations. These results suggest that octreotide inhibits CT and DCA induced intestinal secretion, and this anti-secretory effect is produced by affecting processes beyond cyclic AMP formation.

The water extract of Coleus barbatus Benth decreases gastric secretion in rats

Coleus barbatus (Labiatae) Benth is popularly used in Brazil "for the healing of liver and stomach diseases". The water extract (WE 1 to 10 g/Kg, p.o.) of stem and leaves given to rats and mice did not induce signs of intoxication. Preveious treatment of mice with WE (1 g/kg, p.o.) shortened the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital (50 mg/Kg, i.p.) by 37 por cento, althoyugh the extract alone did not increase the spontaneous activity nor did it induce hyperexcitability. In mice WE (2 g/Kg, p.o.) increased the intestinal transit of charcoal by 30 por cento, while reduced gastric secretions ion rats treated with WE (2g/Kg intraduodenal) 3,9 ± 1.0 to 0.5 ± 0.2 ml/4h, respectively). The treatment also reduced the total acid secretion from 34.4 ± 11.0 to 2.7 ± 0.5 mEq/l and raisedgastric pH from 2.2 ± 0.3 to 6.5 ± 0.8. Treatment with WE (2g/Kg, p.o.) protected against gastric ulcers induced by stress (5.3 ± 1.6 and 1.5 ± 0.5 ulcers/cm²), but did nor protect against indonethacin induced ulcers. The results show that the water extract of C barbatus Benth produces mild stimulation of thecentral nervous system and increases intestinal movements. The extract also reduces gastric secretion indicating an antidyspeptic activity, and protects against gastric ulcers induced by stress.

Hypoglycemic activity of Swertia chirayita (Roxb ex Flem) Karst.

Hexane fraction of S. chirayita (250 mg/kg body wt.) induced significant fall in blood sugar and significant increase in plasma IRI simultaneously after single oral administration without influencing liver glycogen concentration in albino rats. On the other hand, daily administration for 28 days resulted in significant lowering of blood sugar and increase in plasma IRI along with a significant rise in liver glycogen. Intestinal absorption of glucose was not inhibited by hexane fraction. It is suggested that hexane fraction of S. chirayita possibly acts through its insulin releasing effect.

Acid inhibiton in insulin test- a preliminary report.

The initial suppression of acid secretion in Insulin Test has been a subject of various interpretaitons. A study of hypothalamic recordings in a patient undergoing sedative neurosurgery for behaviour disorders revealed marked suppression of electrical activity in the lateral hypothalamic nucleus within three minutes after the injection of insulin, followed later by spike formation corresponding to parasympathetic stimulation, when hypoglycaemia is established. It appears that the initial suppression of acid secretion is due to a direct action of insulin, suppressing electrical activities of lateral nucleus, the spike formation occurring later, corresponding to onset of hypoglycaemia with stimulation of the nucleus and consequently gastric secretion.