Clinical effect of equol supplementation in the treatment of desquamative gingivitis with 1-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is characterized by desquamative erosion, edematous erythema, and vesicle formation on the gingiva. Because of its prevalence in women during the pre- and postmenopausal period, its potential association with female hormones has been suggested. Equol is a soy isoflavone metabolite with a chemical structure similar to estrogen. Scientific evidence suggests that equol helps in alleviating menopausal symptoms. This study evaluated the clinical effect of a 12-month equol supplementation as a substitute for estrogen to alleviate DG symptoms. METHODS: The study enrolled 16 women with DG who regularly visited Nihon University School of Dentistry Dental Hospital. Urinary equol levels, periodontal tissue examination, O'Leary's plaque control record, stimulated saliva flow rate, and gingival pain-related questionnaires were evaluated before and after the 12-month daily intake of 10 mg equol supplement. RESULTS: Equol supplementation led to a statistically significant improvement in bleeding on probing, visual findings, and reductions in the frequency and severity of gingival pain. CONCLUSION: Urinary equol testing and equol supplementation may be novel treatment options for female patients with DG.

Application of Lactoferrin and α1-Antitrypsin in Gingival Retention Fluid to Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal disease is prevalent and has an inflammation associated with not only oral but also systemic pathologies. The diagnosis by biomarkers is required for clinical practice on periodontal disease. The lactoferrin and α1-antitrypsin were both inflammation-related molecules. The present study investigated the relationship between the periodontal status and the two biomarkers in gingival retention fluid (GRF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 63 subjects with periodontitis, the GRF was sampled from maxillary anterior gingiva using a microbrush for 30 seconds. The lactoferrin and α1-antitrypsin levels in GRF were measured by an enzyme-link solvent immunoassay. Periodontal status was evaluated by probing pocket depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). RESULTS: There was a higher level of these biomarkers in saliva (median (ng/mL), lactoferrin: 3611.9, α1-antitrypsin: 4573.3) than in GRF (lactoferrin: 61.0, α1-antitrypsin: 54.7). There was a mild-to-moderate but significantly positive correlation in lactoferrin or α1-antitrypsin between GRF and saliva. There was a positively mild-to-moderate accuracy (area under the curve: 0.60-0.81) of lactoferrin or α1-antitrypsin in GRF or in saliva to distinguish the severity of periodontal status. The cutoff level (ng/mL) of lactoferrin in GRF for detecting ≥30% of PD ≥ 4 mm (moderate periodontitis) was 68.6 and for detecting ≥20% of BOP (clinically active periodontitis) was 61.2. The cutoff level (ng/mL) of α1-antitrypsin in GRF for detecting ≥30% of PD ≥ 4 mm was 54.5 and for detecting ≥20% of BOP was 35.3. CONCLUSIONS: The data can promote an application of the measurements of lactoferrin and α1-antitrypsin in GRF to clinical practice on periodontal disease.

Periodontal regeneration with 0.3% basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) for a patient with aggressive periodontitis: a case report.

This case report describes the clinical efficacy of treatment with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) for periodontal regeneration. A patient with aggressive periodontitis participated in a clinical trial involving administration of 0.3% FGF-2 in comparison with a placebo control. To evaluate the efficacy of FGF-2, standardized radiographs were taken before surgery and at 12, 24, and 36 weeks after FGF-2 treatment. The rate of increase in alveolar bone height was 86.9% at 36 weeks. The 6-year postoperative radiograph showed significant development of alveolar bone in comparison with the first visit. FGF-2 treatment may be effective for periodontal regeneration in cases of aggressive periodontitis. (J Oral Sci 58, 137-140, 2016).

The effect of B vitamin supplementation on wound healing in type 2 diabetic mice.

The aim of this study was to test the effects of B-group vitamin supplements on wound healing in diabetic mice. The mice in the experimental group were treated daily with 1 g/L B6, 1.25 mg/L B12, and 62.5 mg/L folic acid in their drinking water. Full-thickness excision wounds were created with 6-mm skin biopsy punches. Each wound closure was digitally photographed. Beginning on day 3 after wounding, the wound area in the diabetic mice was statistically larger than that of normal mice (p<0.05 vs diabetic mice). The diabetic mice treated with B vitamins displayed accelerated wound closure on day 3 (wound area 42.8 ± 11.3%, p<0.05). On day 9 after wounding, the wound area in the diabetic mice was also statistically larger than that of normal mice (p<0.05 vs diabetic mice). The diabetic mice treated with B vitamins displayed accelerated wound closure on day 3 (wound area 13.2 ± 16.8%, p<0.05). In addition, the high glucose level in the diabetic animals decreased significantly in response to B vitamin treatment. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that B vitamin supplementation may improve wound healing in diabetic mice.

Nicotine-induced expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor in oral epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine use is one of the most important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular and periodontal diseases. Numerous reports have suggested the possible contribution of disturbed lipid metabolism for the development of both disease groups. Despite these observations, little is known about the relationship between tobacco smoking and the development of these diseases. Our previous microarray data revealed that nicotine induced low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression in oral epithelial cells (OECs). The aim of the present study was to confirm nicotine-mediated LDLR induction and to elucidate the signaling mechanisms leading to the augmented expression of LDLR in OECs. METHODS AND RESULTS: LDLR and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit expression was detected by real-time PCR. The production of LDLR was demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining. nAChR-mediated LDLR induction was examined by pre-incubation of the cells with its specific inhibitor, α-bungarotoxin (α-BTX). The functional importance of transcription factor specific protein 1 (Sp1) was examined by luciferase assay, mithramycin pre-incubation or by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. The specific binding of Sp1 to R3 region of LDLR 5'-untranslated region was demonstrated with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and streptavidin-agarose precipitation assay followed by western blotting. The results confirmed that nicotine induced LDLR expression at the transcriptional level. Nicotine was sensed by nAChR and the signal was transduced by Sp1 which bound to the R3 region of LDLR gene. Augmented production of LDLR in the gingival epithelial cells was further demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining using the gingival tissues obtained from the smoking patients. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results suggested that nicotine might contribute to the development of both cardiovascular and periodontal diseases by inducing the LDLR in OECs thereby disturbing lipid metabolism.

Invasive cervical root resorption 15 years after modified Widman flap surgery.

Invasive cervical root resorption is a relatively uncommon form of external root resorption. Creeping attachment is defined as postoperative coronal migration of the gingival margin. We describe a case of invasive cervical root resorption following coronal shift of interdental papillae 15 years after modified Widman flap surgery.

Ankylosis of nonresorbable hydroxyapatite graft material as a contributing factor in recurrent periodontitis.

Many studies have shown that alloplastic bone grafts are clinically stable and safe. Nevertheless, postoperative problems such as ankylosis and root resorption are associated with alloplastic bone grafts. This report examined two cases of ankylosis of nonresorbable hydroxyapatite (NHA) alloplastic grafts associated with recurrent periodontitis. There was no clear border between the NHA particles and dentin. The particles were irregularly shaped and had plaque on the surfaces. It is postulated that ankylosis of NHA particles and dentin is a contributing factor in recurrent periodontitis.

Orthodontic extrusion with palatal circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy improves facial gingival symmetry: a report of two cases.

Discrepancy in the labial gingival margin of the maxillary incisors poses a major aesthetic problem. Orthodontic extrusion can improve the aesthetic problem caused by gingival margin levels before restoration. In these case reports, orthodontic extrusion was performed with palatal circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy for improving the discrepancy of the labial gingival margin. Two years postoperatively, the position of the tooth and gingival margin remained stable. Orthodontic extrusion with palatal circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy was effective in improving the discrepancy of the labial gingival margin of maxillary incisors.

Removal of infected nonresorbable hydroxyapatite graft material in recurrent periodontitis: a report of two cases.

Long-term studies have indicated that alloplastic bone grafts composed of nonresorbable hydroxyapatite (NHA) are clinically stable and safe. However, our previous report suggested that NHA grafts may be an etiological factor for recurrent periodontitis in the absence of supportive periodontal treatment (SPT). We removed infected NHA from the root surface by flap surgery in two cases of recurrent periodontitis. After removal of the infected NHA, the inflammation subsided in these cases and they were clinically stable for several years.

Microarray analysis of bisphenol A-induced changes in gene expression in human oral epithelial cells.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common ingredient in dental materials. However, its potential adverse effects on the oral cavity are unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify the genes responding to BPA in a human oral epithelial cell line using DNA microarray. Of the 10,368 genes examined, changes in mRNA levels were detected in seven genes: five were up-regulated and two were down-regulated. The expression levels of the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L-type, alpha 1C subunit (CACNA1C), cell death activator CIDE-3 (CIDE-3), haptoglobin-related protein (HPR), importin 4 (IPO4), and POU domain, class 2 and transcription factor 3 (POU2F3) were significantly up-regulated in the cells exposed to 100 mM BPA. The spermatogenesis-associated, serine-rich 2 (SPATS2) and HSPC049 protein (HSPC049) were significantly down-regulated. The detailed knowledge of the changes in gene expression obtained using microarray technology will provide a basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the toxic effects of BPA in the oral cavity.

Effects of the enamel matrix derivative and beta-tricalcium phosphate on bone augmentation within a titanium cap in rabbit calvarium.

In vitro studies suggest that enamel matrix derivative (EMD) affects the early stages of osteogenic maturation by stimulating bone cell proliferation. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of EMD and beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) on bone augmentation within a titanium cap in rabbit calvaria, using 14 adult male Japanese white rabbits. The calvarium was exposed, a circular groove prepared, the marrow penetrated, and a standard hemispherical titanium cap placed in the groove. The cap was filled with a mixture of beta-TCP and EMD at the experimental site, and was filled with beta-TCP alone at the control site. At 1 and 3 months after cap implantation, animals were euthanized, and histological sections prepared. The sections were stained with basic fuchsin and methylene blue, and were examined using light microscopy. At 1 month, EMD tended to increase the amount of bone, but there was no significant difference in the amount of new tissue and mineralized bone between the experimental and control sites. The present findings indicate that the present mixture of EMD and beta-TCP does not accelerate bone formation, compared with beta-TCP alone.