Induction of apoptosis and up-regulation of cellular proliferation in oral leukoplakia cell lines inside electric field.

OBJECTIVE: In dentistry, metallic alloys are used for dentures, restorative materials, and orthodontic devices. Electric voltages up to 950 mV may occur between different dental alloys in the oral cavity. This study aimed to investigate physiologic reactions of oral leukoplakia cells in vitro to electric fields. STUDY DESIGN: A human leukoplakia cell line (MSK-LEUK1), cultivated in keratinocyte growth medium (KGM-2) supplemented with growth factors in 5% CO(2) humidified air at 37°C, was exposed to electric field strength of 1-20 V/m for 24 hours in a custom-made pulse chamber. The cells were then analyzed for proliferation with the use of BrdU assay and for apoptosis with the use of TUNEL assay. Findings were assessed with the use of fluorescent microscopy. Ultrastructural changes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Electric field strength of 1-10 V/m led to up-regulation of cell proliferation rate from 10.64% to 44.06% (P = .0001). The apoptotic index increased significantly (P = .0001) from 20.03% at 1 V/m to 46.56% at 10 V/m. Individual cell keratinization was seen in leukoplakia cells treated with 16 V/m. CONCLUSIONS: Oral galvanism induces subcellular changes in oral precancer cells in vitro that closely simulate some of the morphologic features of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in vivo.

The change of electric potentials in the oral cavity after application of extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic field.

Electric potentials occurring in the oral cavity deserve attention as they may cause various diseases and subjective feelings, which are very difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electric potentials within the oral cavity in patients with metal fillings and metal prosthetic restorations, after using a pulsed electromagnetic field. The study was carried out on 84 patients. The Viofor JPS Classic device was used in the treatment. It generates a pulsed electromagnetic field with low induction of the extremely low frequency (ELF) range. Average values of electric potentials in the preliminary test were about the same in both groups; they were 148.8 mV and 145.5 mV. After another appliance of ELF fields there was found a steady decline in the average value of electric potentials in the study group. This decrease was statistically highly significant, while mean values of electric potentials in the control group were characterized by a slightly upward tendency. The obtained statistically significant reduction of electric potentials in the oral cavity of patients having metal fillings and metal prosthetic restorations, after application of the Viofor JPS Classic device, implies a huge impact of ELF pulsed electromagnetic field on inhibition of electrochemical processes, as well as on inhibition of dental alloy corrosion. 

[Metal intolerance. A frequent condition, but difficult to diagnose]. / Metall-Unverträglichkeit. Eine häufige Erkrankung, aber schwierig zu diagnostizieren.

Many of the methods and devices used for incompatibility testing of metals and alloys today are of questionable scientific value. Neither epicutaneous testing nor other diagnostic adjuncts from the realm of alternative medicine, nor patient-history data contained in so-called dental alloy passports, are generally able to yield any useful information. Analysis is particularly difficulty in situations where metallic components are cemented in place in the oral cavity. For many years now, the so-called splinter test has proven its value as a means of non-destructively identifying the type of alloy used. It can also be used for detecting persistent corrosion-prone adhesive oxides and soldering joints as causative agents of metal-related noxious processes. This article presents a number of case reports to demonstrate the reliability and the precision of the splinter test. Over a period of 10 years, more than 1600 splinter analyses have been performed at the University of Basle Center of Dentistry. According to a pertinent survey, these analyses were able to contribute to full treatment success in 63% of the cases, to partial success in 27% of the cases, and to no success in only 10% of the cases.

[Variations in the intraoral electromotive force in the electrotherapy of the upper extremities]. / Variatii ale fortei electromotoare intraorale în electroterapia extremitatii cefalice.

We tested the intraoral microwaves under applied electrotherapy in cephalic neuralgia. The tests have been undertaken on 40 patients divided in 4 groups, according to the nature of the metallic components of the prosthetic appliances. There have been withdrawn practical conclusions regarding fixed prosthesis and the use of electrotherapy in the cephalic neuralgia.

The effects of electrogalvanic stimulation therapy on masticatory muscle dysfunction as determined by the pantronic reproducibility index.

Patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunctional activity (TM dysfunction) present with a diverse spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms. The multifactorial aetiology of such disorders has been noted. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems arise due to the inadequacy of quantifying the dysfunction. TM dysfunction can affect the muscles of mastication which are responsible for mandibular movement. A pantographic reproducibility index (PRI) is available to quantitatively and qualitatively measure a subjects ability to reproduce mandibular border movements. Physical therapy modalities are used in the management of TM dysfunction. Electrogalvanic stimulation (EGS) is such an example. The effect of electrogalvanic stimulation on subjects with and without TM dysfunction was assessed by Pantronic PRI appraisal in 20 subjects. No statistically significant differences were noted. At the individual level, some changes were observed in susceptible subjects.

Clinical psychiatric assessment of patients with burning mouth syndrome resisting oral treatment.

Of 100 consecutive patients referred for investigation of symptoms related to oral galvanism, 18 with persisting symptoms of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) remained after investigation and treatment (Hugoson 1986). In addition to the oral and medical treatment, 16 (14 women, 2 men) of these patients underwent psychiatric investigation. The results of this investigation are presented in this report. The psychiatric investigation was performed as a semistructured interview, elucidating current symptoms, the patient's opinion as to the onset and causes, previous illnesses and psycho-social conditions. Two hours were reserved for each patient interviewed with the aim of obtaining a holistic picture of each individual. The patients with refractory burning mouth syndrome did not differ from the others with respect to oral status, salivary secretion or calculated galvanic currents. No patient had burning mouth as the only symptom, all reporting many symptoms from different organs. Three patients had had symptoms for at least 20 years, 9 for 5-10 years and 4 patients for less than 4 years. Seven patients related the onset of symptoms to oral treatment. Thirteen of the patients reported one or more medical diagnoses and 10 patients were taking 1-3 medicines. Ten patients reported significant negative experiences in connection with previous contacts with the health services and several considered themselves wrongly diagnosed and treated. Most of the patients had experienced catastrophes in their lives in the form of stillborn children or children born with various handicaps, children injured in accidents or prolonged social problems. One patient was judged to have somatic causes of the symptoms, 8 patients somatic and psychological causes, 6 patients psychological causes and in 1 patient the cause was unknown. Three cases are presented in more detail.

Plasma-selenium, glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes and mercury in plasma in patients allegedly subject to oral galvanism.

Twelve patients with subjective symptoms, ascribed by the patients themselves to mercury released from dental restorations, were investigated. In addition to a general dental examination the following parameters were registered: the total number of amalgam surfaces in the mouth; potential and polarization of existing and accessible dental metallic restorations for calculation of intraoral currents. As regards the highest calculated intraoral current for each individual there was a statistically significant difference between the patient group and a control group consisting of 12 persons. An analysis of the amount of selenium, glutathione-peroxidase and mercury in the blood showed no differences between the patient and the control group. However, a statistically significant positive correlation could be seen between the total number of amalgam surfaces and the plasma-mercury level for patients and controls pooled together. The numerous other blood parameters analyzed did not reveal any differences between the groups.