Ouratea spectabilis and its Biflavanone Ouratein D Exert Potent Anti-inflammatory Activity in MSU Crystal-induced Gout in Mice.

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory arthritis triggered by the deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals, causing pain, inflammation, and joint damage. Several drugs are currently employed to manage acute flares of GA, but they either have limited effectiveness or induce severe adverse reactions. Ouratea spectabilis is traditionally used in Brazil to treat gastric ulcers and rheumatism. The ethanolic extract of O. spectabilis stems (OSpC) and four biflavanones (ouratein A - D) isolated thereof were evaluated in a murine model of GA induced by the injection of MSU crystals. The underlying mechanism of action of ouratein D was investigated in vitro in cell cultures by measurement of IL-1ß levels by ELISA and Western blot analysis. The administration of OSpC (10, 30 or 100 mg/Kg, p. o.) reduced the migration of total inflammatory cells, monocytes, and neutrophils and diminished the levels of IL-1ß and CXCL1 in the synovial tissue. Among the tested compounds, only ouratein D (1 mg/Kg) reduced the migration of the inflammatory cells and it was shown to be active up to 0.01 mg/Kg (equivalent to 0.34 nM/Kg, p. o.). Treatment of pre-stimulated THP-1 cells (differentiated into macrophages) or BMDMs with ouratein D reduced the release of IL-1ß in both macrophage lines. This biflavanone reduced the activation of caspase-1 (showed by the increase in the cleaved form) in supernatants of cultured BMDMs, evidencing its action in modulating the inflammasome pathway. The obtained results demonstrate the anti-gout properties of O. spectabilis and point out ouratein D as the bioactive component of the assayed extract.

Dental mini-implant designs to support overdentures: Development, biomechanical evaluation, and 3D digital image correlation.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Custom mini-implants are needed for edentulous patients with extensive mandibular deficiencies where endosteal placement is not possible. However, the best design for these mini-implants is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to develop 2 dental mini-implant designs to support mandibular overdentures and evaluate the effect of their geometries on primary stability and stress distribution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two mini-implant designs were developed with changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of threads and chamfers. The experimental mini-implants were made of Grade V titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), (Ø2.0×10 mm) and submitted to a nanoscale surface treatment. Thirty mini-implants (n=10) were placed into fresh swine bones: experimental-threaded, experimental-helical, and a commercially available product model (Intra-Lock System) as the control. The biomechanical evaluations of the experimental mini-implants were compared with those of the control in terms of primary stability, through insertion torque (IT), and with the pullout test. The analysis of stress distribution was performed by using the method of 3D digital image correlation under 250-N axial load and 100-N oblique (30-degree angled model) load. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05). RESULTS: The IT and pullout test presented a statistically significant difference for all mini-implants (P<.05), with higher IT for the experimental-threaded and maximum pullout force for the control, followed by threaded (P=.001) and helical (P=.001). Regarding the 3D digital image correlation, a lower incidence of stress was found in the cervical third for all mini-implants. No statistically significant differences were found between the designs evaluated (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the experimental mini-implants with the commercially available control, the experimental-threaded model presented greater primary stability, and all mini-implants showed less stress in the cervical third.