Vitamin D and lactoferrin attenuate stress-induced colitis in Wistar rats via enhancing AMPK expression with inhibiting mTOR-STAT3 signaling and modulating autophagy.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a global gastrointestinal disorder closely related to psychological stress exposure and local colonic inflammation. Herein, we investigated the effect of wrap-restraint stress (WRS) on rat behavior, on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (AMPK-mTOR-STAT3) signaling, and autophagy in colonic mucosa. The impact of chronic administration of vitamin D3 and lactoferrin was compared. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Chronic WRS protocol was applied as a rodent model of IBS. Group I: naïve animals, Group II: WRS animals, Group III: WRS-exposed and treated with vitamin D3 (500 IU/kg/day), and Group IV: WRS-exposed and treated with lactoferrin (300 mg/kg/day). In this study, we found that chronic administration of each of vitamin D3 and lactoferrin resulted in a significant increase in social interaction test, interleukin-10, AMPK, optical density of LC3B, goblet cell count and marked decrease in serum cortisol level, STAT3, inflammatory cell count, and optical density of mTOR in comparison to the WRS rats. Our findings suggest that both vitamin D3 and Lactoferrin could augment colonic autophagy through enhanced AMPK expression and inhibition of mTOR-STAT3 signaling, which offers practical insights into their clinical use in the prevention and therapy of IBS. However, lactoferrin intake as a nutritional supplement could be more helpful for stress-induced colitis treatment than vitamin D3.

Propolis and commonly used intracanal irrigants: comparative evaluation of antimicrobial potential.

UNLABELLED: The objective of endodontic therapy is not just simple cleaning and filling of root canals, but successful treatment requires the establishment of a sufficient level of disinfection. AIM: To evaluate, in vivo, the antimicrobial and inflammatory/irritant potential of Propolis against mixed endodontic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. METHOD: An in vivo randomized controlled trial was conducted in a group of 60 children aged 6-12 years presenting with an acute apical abscess of the maxillary primary molars. Fifteen children each were divided randomly into four groups where irrigation during pulpectomy was performed using either 2% chlorhexidine, 4% calcium hydroxide or 4% Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) extract of propolis with normal saline as the control irrigant. Microbiological samples were taken from the disto-buccal root canal before initiating the pulpectomy as well as after 3 days later and for mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures. RESULTS: In all the four groups, a significant decrease in mean aerobic colony forming units (cfu) count was seen. Maximum change in anaerobic cfu count was seen with 2% chlorhexidine. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine proved to be superior antimicrobial agent against both endodontic aerobes and anaerobes. Calcium hydroxide was found to be least effective.

Measures of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A and state anxiety after a nursing back rub.

This study examined the effects of a 10-minute nursing back rub on salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and state anxiety in well older adult subjects. A control group (n = 14) received no intervention, and an experimental group (n = 18) received a slow stroke effleurage back rub. All subjects initially completed the state portion of the Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and provided a timed, nonstimulated saliva sample. Control subjects lay positioned in bed for 10 minutes, and experimental subjects received the back rub. Both groups then provided a second saliva sample and completed the STAI again. Anxiety scores decreased for both groups, but not significantly, and s-IgA concentration increased in the experimental group. This study provides rationale for further research into the holistic benefits of the nursing back rub and should encourage nurses to continue to provide caring touch interventions to patients.