Pleiotrophin attenuates the senescence of dental pulp stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Pleiotrophin (PTN), a secreted extracellular matrix-associated protein, plays an important role in regulating the osteo/dentinogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Our previous study has demonstrated that PTN expression in young DPSCs was is 10-fold higher than that in aged DPSCs. However, the role of PTN on the in maintaining the stemness of senescent DPSCs remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PTN on senescent DPSCs in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental pulp stem cells were isolated from human third molars. PTN was knocked down using short hairpin RNAs to study the role of PTN on the senescence of DPSCs. DPSCs with aging performance were obtained by a replicative senescence cell model was obtained by the long-term culture of DPSCs to the 15th passage in vitro (P15). We then investigated the effect of PTN on senescent DPSCs (P15 DPSCs). Real-time RT-PCR, western blotting, alizarin red staining, quantitative calcium analysis, SA-ß-Gal staining, CFSE, and cell-counting kit-8 (CCK8) assays were used to study cellular senescence and function. RESULTS: The depletion of PTN increased the ratio of SA-ß-gal-positive cells, upregulated the expression of p16, and down-regulated the expression of TERT and p-p38. Furthermore, 50 pg/ml of PTN recombinant protein rescued these changes the altered ratio of SA-ß-gal-positive cells, decreased the expression of p16, enhanced TERT and p-p38 expression, as well as telomere activity, caused by PTN depletion and long-term culture. The15th passage cells displayed typical aging characteristic, including high ratio of SA-ß-gal-positive cells, increased aging-related gene expression, decreased proliferation rate, high level of Cyclin D expression, and impaired osteo/dentinogenic differentiation potential. However, 50 pg/ml of PTN recombinant protein could partially reverse these alteration rescue these changes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that PTN could protect DPSCs from senescence by improving the proliferation and osteo/dentinogenic differentiation ability, probably through the p38 MAPK pathway.

Pleiotropin enhances the osteo/dentinogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells.

Purpose: Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a heparin-binding growth-associated molecule and expressed in ameloblasts and odontoblasts throughout tooth maturation. Our previous study has shown that PTN expressed more than 20-fold higher in dental tissue than dental stem cells. However, the role of PTN on proliferation and osteo/dentinogenesis of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of PTN on the DPSCs' function.Methods: DPSCs were isolated from human third molars. Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) was used to knock down the PTN expression in DPSCs. Real-time RT-PCR, alizarin red staining, quantitative calcium analysis, in vivo transplantation and cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay were used to study the function of DPSCs. Possible mechanism was studied by RNA sequencing.Results: After PTN depletion, ALP activity and mineralization ability of DPSCs decreased. Expression of DMP-1 and BSP weakened. Proliferation of DPSCs at 48 h and 72 h was inhibited. Furthermore, 50 pg/mL PTN recombinant protein rescued the impaired osteo/dentinogenic differentiation potential and proliferation ability caused by PTN depletion. In addition, RNA sequencing showed 221 genes were downregulated and 233 genes upregulated in PTN depleted DPSCs. Several genes including BMP2 and IGFBP5 might be associated with PTN function on the DPSCs. P53 and the AMPK signaling pathways were involved. LncRNA analysis displayed 47 significantly upregulated lncRNA and 31 downregulated lncRNA comparing PTN depleted DPSCs with the control.Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that PTN has a positive role in maintaining DPSCs proliferation and osteo/dentinogenic differentiation potential.

SFRP2 enhances dental pulp stem cell-mediated dentin regeneration in rabbit jaw.

OBJECTIVES: Dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated tooth regeneration may be a useful therapeutic tool for repairing tooth loss. However, the low success rate of tooth regeneration restricts its clinical application. Identifying key factors for enhancing dentinogenesis in MSCs is crucial for promoting tooth regeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were transfected with retrovirus to obtain SFRP2-over-expressing DPSCs. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin red staining, quantitative analysis of calcium, and dentinogenesis-related genes were detected. Additionally, transplantation in a rabbit tooth extraction model was used to explore the role of SFRP2 in dentin regeneration. RESULTS: We found SFRP2 over-expression greatly enhanced ALP activity, and mineralization in DPSCs. Real-time RT-PCR revealed SFRP2 over-expression promoted the expressions of OSX, RUNX2, DSPP, DMP1, and BSP. Moreover, Micro CT analysis showed high-density calcification occurred to a much higher extent in SFRP2 over-expressing group compared to control group in vivo. Additionally, HE staining, immmunohistochemistry staining, and scanning electron microscopy results showed much more dentin-like tissue formed in SFRP2 over-expressing group compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed SFRP2 is an important regulator that enhances the dentinogenesis of DPSCs and dentin regeneration in the jaw, which may have clinical applications.

Enamel multidien biological timing and body size variability among individuals of Chinese Han and Tibetan origins.

AIMS: To measure the number of days of enamel formation between periodic striae of Retzius growth lines, the Retzius periodicity (RP), and to compare this multi-day, or multidien rhythm, to body height and weight among people from Beijing, China and Lhasa, Tibet/China. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects requiring dental extractions from clinics in Beijing, China (N = 338) and Lhasa, Tibet/China (N = 227) provided a tooth and body size information. Multiple observers examined histological sections of the teeth and recorded RP. RP values were statistically compared to body height and weight. RESULTS: In Beijing and Lhasa samples, respectively, average height was 166.38 and 165.70 cm, average weight was 59.53 and 66.53 kg, and average RP was 7.47 and 7.69 d. Statistically significant differences were found between Beijing and Lhasa weight and RP means. Correlations for height and weight against RP were significant, but only comparatively strong for height. CONCLUSIONS: Supporting the negative correlation presented in previous studies, RP is negatively associated with height and weight among a large intraspecific sample of people from Beijing and Lhasa. RP represents a metabolic-mediated multidien biological timing mechanism responsible for the rate of cell proliferation and maintenance of the body.

A retrospective analysis of the optimal time and psychological impact of decoronation in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Decoronation offers one of the best and most predictable clinical outcomes for dentoalveolar ankylosis. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with the efficacy and psychological impact of decoronation for bone preservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 42 paediatric patients with 42 infrapositioned replanted permanent teeth. Twelve of these teeth were decoronated. Variables such as the time of injury, stage of root development and the extent of infraposition were analysed. The vertical changes in the alveolar bone level of the decoronated teeth were assessed on radiographs using a three-point scoring system. Parents of 30 patients with teeth that were not decoronated completed a questionnaire addressing their considerations and concerns regarding the treatment of infraposition. RESULTS: Teeth with root development in stages 2 and 3 showed a significantly higher rate of severe infraposition during the follow-up visits. Decoronation was performed on 12 teeth within 1.5-5 years (mean 3.8 ± 1.3 years) after replantation and 11 of these cases developed a considerable alveolar bone level. The alveolar bone levels of boys and girls showed improvements of 2.2 and 3.2 mm, respectively. The optimal age for decoronation to have a considerable increase in bone level was 12.12 ± 0.83 years for boys and 11.25 ± 1.77 years for girls. Complicated treatments, followed by parents' lack knowledge regarding decoronation, children's fear, follow-up times, and cost were the major concerns regarding decoronation. CONCLUSION: The optimal time for decoronation should be decided after considering the age, gender, skeletal growth pattern, and the degree of infraposition at the time of decoronation.

GDFs promote tenogenic characteristics on human periodontal ligament-derived cells in culture at late passages.

Tendon/ligament injures are leading disabilities worldwide. The periodontal ligament (PDL) connects teeth to bone, and is comparable to a tendon/ligament-to-bone insertion. PDL-derived cells (PDLCs) express both osteo/cementogenesis and teno/ligamentogenesis genes. However, an efficient method to induce a tenogenic differentiation of PDLCs has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, this study tested if growth/differentiation factors (GDFs) enhanced tenogenic characteristics of human PDLCs, as a potential cell source for tendon/ligament engineering. Results demonstrated recombinant GDF-5/GDF-7 inhibited alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of PDLCs from passage 3 to 6, while GDF-5 enhanced ALP in dental pulp-derived cells and mesenchymal stem cells. GDF-5 (particularly at 10 ng/ml concentration) induced high expression of both early (scleraxis) and mature (tenomodulin, aggrecan, collagen3) tenogenic genes in P4-6 PDLCs, while inhibiting expression of specific transcription-factors for osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Exogenous GDFs might lead PDLCs being expanded in culture during several passages to highly useful cell source for tendon/ligament engineering.

Clinical trials using dental stem cells: 2022 update.

For nearly 20 years, dental stem cells (DSCs) have been successfully isolated from mature/immature teeth and surrounding tissue, including dental pulp of permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligaments, dental follicles, and gingival and apical papilla. They have several properties (such as self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, and immunomodulation) and exhibit enormous potential for clinical applications. To date, many clinical articles and clinical trials using DSCs have reported the treatment of pulpitis, periapical lesions, periodontitis, cleft lip and palate, acute ischemic stroke, and so on, and DSC-based therapies obtained satisfactory effects in most clinical trials. In these studies, no adverse events were reported, which suggested the safety of DSC-based therapy. In this review, we outline the characteristics of DSCs and summarize clinical trials and their safety as DSC-based therapies. Meanwhile, we also present the current limitations and perspectives of DSC-based therapy (such as harvesting DSCs from inflamed tissue, applying DSC-conditioned medium/DSC-derived extracellular vesicles, and expanding-free strategies) to provide a theoretical basis for their clinical applications.

miR-6807-5p Inhibited the Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Through Directly Targeting METTL7A.

Background: Tooth tissue regeneration mediated by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has become the most ideal treatment. Although the known regulatory mechanism and some achievements have been discovered, directional differentiation cannot effectively induce regeneration of tooth tissue. In this study, we intended to explore the function and mechanism of miR-6807-5p and its target gene METTL7A in odontogenic differentiation. Methods: In this study, human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were used. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin red staining (ARS), and calcium ion quantification were used to detect the odontogenic differentiation of miR-6807-5p and METTL7A. Real-time RT-PCR, western blot, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and pull-down assay with biotinylated miRNA were used to confirm that METTL7A was the downstream gene of miR-6807-5p. Protein mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) were used to detect that SNRNP200 was the co-binding protein of METTL7A. Results: After mineralized induction, the odontogenic differentiation was enhanced in the miR-6807-5p-knockdown group and weakened in the miR-6807-5p-overexpressed group compared with the control group. METTL7A was the downstream target of miR-6807-5p. After mineralized induction, the odontogenic differentiation was weakened in the METTL7A-knockdown group and enhanced in the METTL7A-overexpressed group compared with the control group. SNRNP200 was the co-binding protein of METTL7A. The knockdown of SNRNP200 inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Conclusion: This study verified that miR-6807-5p inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. The binding site of miR-6807-5p was the 3'UTR region of METTL7A, which was silenced by miR-6807-5p. METTL7A promoted the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. SNRNP200, a co-binding protein of METTL7A, promoted the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

[Increase of saliva nitrate and nitrite level in patients with oral candidiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the alterations of saliva nitrate and nitrite level in patients with oral candidiasis. METHODS: Parotid saliva and whole saliva were collected from 33 patients and 34 healthy volunteers. Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite in saliva were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Follow-up observation was performed on 10 patients after treatment. The data were statistically analyzed with independent-samples t test or paired-samples t test at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: There was significant increase of the concentrations and secretion rate of parotid saliva nitrate in patient group as compared with controls: (49.70 +/- 0.50) vs (21.51 +/- 0.60) mg/L (t = 2.692, P = 0.009) and (27.71 +/- 0.50) vs (12.55 +/- 0.60) microg/min (t = 2.554, P = 0.013), respectively. Significantly increased concentrations and secretion rate of nitrate and nitrite [nitrate: (6.46 +/- 0.94) vs (1.11 +/- 0.70) mg/L (t = 3.792, P = 0.000); nitrite: (8.48 +/- 0.58) vs (3.39 +/- 0.53) mg/L (t = 2.888, P = 0.005); nitrate secretion rate: (10.57 +/- 0.91) vs (2.10 +/- 0.74) microg/min (t = 3.464, P= 0.001); nitrite secretion rate: (13.91 +/- 0.55) vs (6.42 +/- 0.58) microg/min (t = 2.397, P = 0.020)] were revealed in whole saliva of patients group. Significantly decreased nitrate and nitrite levels were also observed in patients after treatment, especially the changes of parotid saliva nitrate secretion rate [(37.50 +/- 0.50) vs (14.34 +/- 0.64) microg/min (t = 3.142, P = 0.012)], whole saliva nitrate [(14.29 +/- 1.01) vs (2.59 +/- 1.03) mg/L (t = 3.475, P = 0.007)] and whole saliva nitrate secretion rate [(25.97 +/- 0.93) vs (4.12 +/- 1.00) microg/min (t = 3.922, P = 0.003)]. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed the significant increase of salivary nitrate and nitrite level in patients with oral candidiasis is considered to be associated with the host defense reaction.

Activation of local innate immune signal induces periodontitis in microbiota-dependent manner.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Both inflammation and dysbiosis have been implicated in periodontitis development. However, the relationship between local inflammation and dysbiosis, and the precise roles of local inflammation in periodontitis are not well-elucidated. In present study, we explored the role of local inflammation in periodontitis. We established a periodontitis model by administration of Pam3CSK4 to local oral area and compared the difference of outcome between local and systemic administration. We monitored the pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, local inflammation and alveolar bone loss. We also evaluated the dysbiosis, NF-κB activation. Local but not systemic administration of Pam3CSK4-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines productions and finally resulted in periodontitis. Pam3CSK4 caused dysbiosis and promoted Porphyromonas gingivalis growth. The bacterial growth and NF-κB activation were required for Pam3CSK4-induced periodontitis. We evaluated the effect of local inflammation by inducing TLR2 activation on dysbiosis and periodontitis. Activation of local innate immune signal induces periodontitis in microbiota-dependent manner.

Music stimuli lead to increased levels of nitrite in unstimulated mixed saliva.

Concentration of salivary nitrate is approximately 10-fold to that of serum. Many circumstances such as acute stress could promote salivary nitrate secretion and nitrite formation. However, whether other conditions can also be used as regulators of salivary nitrate/nitrite has not yet been explored. The present study was designed to determine the influence of exposure to different music on the salivary flow rate and nitrate secretion and nitrite formation. Twenty-four undergraduate students (12 females and 12 males) were exposed to silence, rock music, classical music or white noise respectively on four consecutive mornings. The unstimulated salivary flow rate and stimulated salivary flow rate were measured. Salivary ionic (Na+, Ca2+ Cl-, and PO43-) content and nitrate/nitrite levels were detected. The unstimulated salivary flow rate was significantly increased after classical music exposure compared to that after silence. Salivary nitrite levels were significantly higher upon classical music and white noise stimulation than those under silence in females. However, males were more sensitive only to white noise with regard to the nitrite increase. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that classical music stimulation promotes salivary nitrite formation and an increase in saliva volume was observed. These observations may play an important role in regulating oral function.

Antimicrobial effect of acidified nitrate and nitrite on six common oral pathogens in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Salivary nitrate is positively correlated with plasma nitrate and its level is 9 times the plasma level after nitrate loading. Nitrate in saliva is known to be reduced to nitrite by oral bacteria. Nitrate and nitrite levels in saliva are 3 - 5 times those in serum in physiological conditions respectively in our previous study. The biological functions of high salivary nitrate and nitrite are still not well understood. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of nitrate and nitrite on main oral pathogens under acidic conditions. METHODS: Six common oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4646, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, Capnocytophaga gingivalis ATCC 33624, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were cultured in liquid medium. Sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite was added to the medium to final concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 10 mmol/L. All of the microorganisms were incubated for 24 to 48 hours. The optical densities (OD) of cell suspensions were determined and the cultures were transferred to solid nutrient broth medium to observe the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration for the six tested pathogens. RESULTS: Nitrite at concentrations of 0.5 to 10 mmol/L had an inhibitory effect on all tested organisms at low pH values. The antimicrobial effect of nitrite increased with the acidity of the medium. Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449 was highly sensitive to nitrite at low pH values. Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4646 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were relatively resistant to acidified nitrite. Nitrate at the given concentrations and under acidic conditions had no inhibitory effect on the growth of any of the tested pathogens. CONCLUSION: Nitrite, at a concentration equal to that in human saliva, is both cytocidal and cytostatic to six principal oral pathogens in vitro, whereas nitrate at a similar concentration has no antimicrobial effect on these organisms.

Histological characteristics following a long-term nitrate-rich diet in miniature pigs with parotid atrophy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the histological characteristics following a 2-year nitrate-rich diet in miniature pigs with parotid atrophy. Using averages collected data from three time points at 6, 12, and 24 months following the induction of parotid gland atrophy, salivary nitrate levels of the nitrate-diet parotid-atrophied group (17.3 ± 3.9 ng/µl) were close to those of the control group (19.6 ± 5.1 ng/µl). Compared to the control group, the nitrate-diet group had significantly higher nitrate levels in blood (P < 0.05) and urine (P < 0.001). Histological and electron microscopy analyses showed no abnormalities in the organs of experimental or control animals. No significant differences on apoptosis rate were found in liver and kidney tissues between the standard- and nitrate-diet groups. Therefore, dietary nitrate supplementation could restore salivary nitrate levels. High-dose nitrate loading for 2 years had no observed systemic toxicity in miniature pigs with parotid atrophy.

Active secretion and protective effect of salivary nitrate against stress in human volunteers and rats.

Up to 25% of the circulating nitrate in blood is actively taken up, concentrated, and secreted into saliva by the salivary glands. Salivary nitrate can be reduced to nitrite by the commensal bacteria in the oral cavity or stomach and then further converted to nitric oxide (NO) in vivo, which may play a role in gastric protection. However, whether salivary nitrate is actively secreted in human beings has not yet been determined. This study was designed to determine whether salivary nitrate is actively secreted in human beings as an acute stress response and what role salivary nitrate plays in stress-induced gastric injury. To observe salivary nitrate function under stress conditions, alteration of salivary nitrate and nitrite was analyzed among 22 healthy volunteers before and after a strong stress activity, jumping down from a platform at the height of 68 m. A series of stress indexes was analyzed to monitor the stress situation. We found that both the concentration and the total amount of nitrate in mixed saliva were significantly increased in the human volunteers immediately after the jump, with an additional increase 1h later (p<0.01). Saliva nitrite reached a maximum immediately after the jump and was maintained 1h later. To study the biological functions of salivary nitrate and nitrite in stress protection, we further carried out a water-immersion-restraint stress (WIRS) assay in male adult rats with bilateral parotid and submandibular duct ligature (BPSDL). Intragastric nitrate, nitrite, and NO; gastric mucosal blood flow; and gastric ulcer index (UI) were monitored and nitrate was administrated in drinking water to compensate for nitrate secretion in BPSDL animals. Significantly decreased levels of intragastric nitrate, nitrite, and NO and gastric mucosal blood flow were measured in BPSDL rats during the WIRS assay compared to sham control rats (p<0.05). Recovery was observed in the BPSDL rats upon nitrate administration. The WIRS-induced UI was significantly higher in the BPSDL animals compared to controls, and nitrate administration rescued the WIRS-induced gastric injury in BPSDL rats. In conclusion, this study suggests that stress promotes salivary nitrate secretion and nitrite formation, which may play important roles in gastric protection against stress-induced injury via the nitrate-dependent NO pathway.

Paracrine effects of bone marrow soup restore organ function, regeneration, and repair in salivary glands damaged by irradiation.

BACKGROUND: There are reports that bone marrow cell (BM) transplants repaired irradiated salivary glands (SGs) and re-established saliva secretion. However, the mechanisms of action behind these reports have not been elucidated. METHODS: To test if a paracrine mechanism was the main effect behind this reported improvement in salivary organ function, whole BM cells were lysed and its soluble intracellular contents (termed as "BM Soup") injected into mice with irradiation-injured SGs. The hypothesis was that BM Soup would protect salivary cells, increase tissue neovascularization, function, and regeneration. Two minor aims were also tested a) comparing two routes of delivering BM Soup, intravenous (I.V.) versus intra-glandular injections, and b) comparing the age of the BM Soup's donors. The treatment-comparison group consisted of irradiated mice receiving injections of living whole BM cells. Control mice received irradiation and injections of saline or sham-irradiation. All mice were followed for 8 weeks post-irradiation. RESULTS: BM Soup restored salivary flow rates to normal levels, protected salivary acinar, ductal, myoepithelial, and progenitor cells, increased cell proliferation and blood vessels, and up-regulated expression of tissue remodeling/repair/regenerative genes (MMP2, CyclinD1, BMP7, EGF, NGF). BM Soup was as an efficient therapeutic agent as injections of live BM cells. Both intra-glandular or I.V. injections of BM Soup, and from both young and older mouse donors were as effective in repairing irradiated SGs. The intra-glandular route reduced injection frequency/dosage by four-fold. CONCLUSION: BM Soup, which contains only the cell by-products, can be advantageously used to repair irradiation-damaged SGs rather than transplanting whole live BM cells which carry the risk of differentiating into unwanted/tumorigenic cell types in SGs.

Cannulation of the mouse submandibular salivary gland via the Wharton's duct.

Severe salivary gland hypofunction is frequently found in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and those who receiving therapeutic irradiation in their head and neck regions for cancer treatment. Both groups of patients experience symptoms such as xerostomia (dry mouth), dysphagia (impaired chewing and swallowing), severe dental caries, altered taste, oro-pharyngeal infections (candidiasis), mucositis, pain and discomfort. One innovative approach of regenerative medicine for the treatment of salivary gland hypo-function is speculated in RS Redman, E Mezey et al. 2009: stem cells can be directly deposited by cannulation into the gland as a potent method in reviving the functions of the impaired organ. Presumably, the migrated foreign stem cells will differentiate into glandular cells to function as part of the host salivary gland. Also, this cannulation technique is an expedient and effective delivery method for clinical gene transfer application. Here we illustrate the steps involved in performing the cannulation procedure on the mouse submandibular salivary gland via the Wharton's duct (Fig 1). C3H mice (Charles River, Montreal, QC, Canada) are used for this experiment, which have been kept under clean conventional conditions at the McGill University animal resource center. All experiments have been approved by the University Animal Care Committee and were in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care. For this experiment, a trypan blue solution is infused into the gland through the opening of the Wharton's duct using a insulin syringe with a 29-gauge needle encased inside a polyethylene tube. Subsequently, the mouse is dissected to show that the infusions migrated into the gland successfully.

Bone marrow-derived cells rescue salivary gland function in mice with head and neck irradiation.

Treatment for most patients with head and neck cancers includes ionizing radiation. A consequence of this treatment is irreversible damage to salivary glands (SGs), which is accompanied by a loss of fluid-secreting acinar-cells and a considerable decrease of saliva output. While there are currently no adequate conventional treatments for this condition, cell-based therapies are receiving increasing attention to regenerate SGs. In this study, we investigated whether bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) can differentiate into salivary epithelial cells and restore SG function in head and neck irradiated mice. BMDCs from male mice were transplanted into the tail-vein of 18Gy-irradiated female mice. Salivary output was increased in mice that received BMDCs transplantation at week 8 and 24 post-irradiation. At 24 weeks after irradiation (IR), harvested SGs (submandibular and parotid glands) of BMDC-treated mice had greater weights than those of non-treated mice. Histological analysis shows that SGs of treated mice demonstrated an increased level of tissue regenerative activity such as blood vessel formation and cell proliferation, while apoptotic activity was increased in non-transplanted mice. The expression of stem cell markers (Sca-1 or c-kit) was detected in BMDC-treated SGs. Finally, we detected an increased ratio of acinar-cell area and approximately 9% of Y-chromosome-positive (donor-derived) salivary epithelial cells in BMDC-treated mice. We propose here that cell therapy using BMDCs can rescue the functional damage of irradiated SGs by direct differentiation of donor BMDCs into salivary epithelial cells.

[Alterations of salivary flow rate and oral main pathogens in miniature pig with bilateral parotid gland atrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of bilateral parotid gland atrophy on the whole saliva flow rate and the growth of main oral pathogens in different sites of oral cavity. METHODS: Ten healthy miniature pigs were divided into two groups. The parotid glands of test group (n = 5) were bilaterally ablated by methyl violet. Another healthy five miniature pigs served as the control group. Whole saliva was collected and the whole saliva flow rate detected in both groups at 12 and 24 months respectively after parotid atrophy. The total numbers of oral main pathogens in the first molar, cuspid sub-gingival bacteria plaque and whole saliva were also detected. RESULTS: The whole saliva flow rate was significantly decreased at both 12 and 24 months respectively after atrophy of bilateral parotid gland in miniature pig. Pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum in different sites oral cavity were increased after bilateral parotid gland atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral ablation of the parotid glands led to a significant decrease of whole saliva flow rate. The total numbers of main oral pathogens were increased in different sites of oral cavity.

Alterations of nitrate and nitrite content in saliva, serum, and urine in patients with salivary dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The role of the salivary glands in the maintenance of nitrate and nitrite in saliva is poorly understood. The aim was to study alterations of nitrate and nitrite metabolisms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) or sialosis. METHODS: Saliva, serum, and urine samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n = 29), patients with SS (n = 31), and patients with sialosis (n = 30). Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: In the healthy group, the highest concentration of nitrate was found in parotid saliva (172 mg/l), followed by urine (160 mg/l), whole saliva (97 mg/l), and serum (33 mg/l). In the SS group, concentration of nitrate was decreased in parotid saliva and whole saliva, and increased significantly in urine. Concentration of nitrite in whole saliva was significantly decreased in the SS group and increased in the sialosis group. CONCLUSION: Hypofunction of the salivary glands is associated with significant changes of nitrate and nitrite levels in the saliva and urine.