ABSTRACT
Abstract Background/purpose: Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is one of the most common diseases of oral mucosa, which is generally believed to be related to immunity, though the etiology is still unclear. It is suspected that allergies are directly related to RAU. So we sought to explore the relationship between hypersensitivity and RAU. Materials and methods: 40 RAU patients who were in ulceration period and 40 people who were in good health were selected from Jan 2016 to Feb 2017, matched in age and sex. The peripheral blood antigens of 40 RAU patients and 40 healthy people was tested, and serum specific IgE (sIgE) with 6 groups of antigens and total IgE (tIgE) analysis was performed to identify IgE-mediated allergic reaction possibly affecting RAU. We then investigated the food intolerance and IgG levels to discover the correlation between non-IgE mediated allergic reaction and RAU. Results: The positive cases and rate of sIgE in RAU group was higher than that of control, but the difference was not statistically significant (Pï¼0.05). Positive grade of animal fur scraps (EX1), house dust mixed (HX2) and the serum tIgE concentration of the RAU group were significantly higher than the control group (Pï¼0.05).The number of food intolerance in RAU group was significantly higher than that in control group (Pï¼0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggested certain correlation between RAU and anaphylaxis. Daily contact allergens and food intolerance may be one of the causes of RAU. Moreover, this provides reference value for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
ABSTRACT
Impacted third molars are commonly seen in teenagers and young adults and can cause considerable suffering. Preventing eruption of the third molars can reduce pain at the source. Our previous study has shown that dexamethasone (DEX) at a certain concentration can prevent the eruption of third molars without damaging alveolar bone in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, but the relevant molecular mechanisms need to be explored. This study aimed to explore the effects of high concentrations of DEX on osteogenic signaling pathways, including BMP/Smad and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways, in rat dental follicle cells (rDFCs) and to elucidate the possible mechanisms. The results showed that BMP7 induced osteogenic differentiation by increasing the activity of ALP and the protein levels of OPN in rDFCs. DEX decreased endogenous BMP7 and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 expression as well as BMP7-induced osteogenic differentiation. DEX also reduced the mRNA and protein levels of ß-catenin by enhancing the expression of GSK-3ß. In addition, regardless of DEX intervention, overexpression of BMP7 promoted the expression of ß-catenin, while knockdown of BMP7 attenuated it. Further investigation revealed that overexpression of BMP7 attenuated the DEX-mediated inhibition of AKT and GSK-3ß phosphorylation, but knockdown of BMP7 exerted the opposite effects. This study suggests that high concentrations of DEX may inhibit the expression of ß-catenin via the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3ß pathway in a manner mediated by BMP7. The findings further illustrate the possible molecular mechanisms by which DEX prevents tooth development.