The use of crevicular fluid to assess markers of inflammation and angiogenesis, IL-17 and VEGF, in patients with solid tumors receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: Crevicular fluid was used to assess interleukin-17 (IL-17) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab. The markers were also assessed in the serum. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were included and comprised three groups: patients who received zoledronic acid (n = 9), patients who received bevacizumab (n = 9), and patients who received zoledronic acid combined with bevacizumab (n = 5). One patient received zoledronic acid and everolimus and another received zoledronic acid, bevacizumab, and temsirolimus. IL-17 and VEGF were measured by standard quantitative ELISA kits and assessed in two study points. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients maintained good periodontal health; one had asymptomatic osteonecrosis of the jaw. First assessment: 44 samples were collected; 21 from serum and 23 from crevicular fluid. Second assessment, 6 months later: 11 samples were collected; 6 from serum and 5 from crevicular fluid. IL-17 was detected in all samples, in serum and crevicular fluid, and remained unchanged at both time points. Serum VEGF in patients with bevacizumab alone or combined with zoledronic acid was significantly lower compared with that of patients who received zoledronic acid alone. VEGF was not detected in the crevicular fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Crevicular fluid might be an easy, non-invasive means to assess IL-17. The stable values of IL-17 in crevicular fluid and serum and the lack of VEGF in the crevicular fluid could be related to the good periodontal health of our patients. Further studies are needed to assess IL-17 and VEGF in the crevicular fluid in patients with and without periodontal disease.

[Clinical reasoning of impact of contemporary partial dentures constructions on the condition of periodontal tissues of patients with generalized periodontitis of I-II severity].

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the effectiveness of using partial dentures made of thermoplastic materials for patients with generalized periodontitis of I-II degree of severity based on the results of clinical research. The effect of partial dentures made of acrylic, metal and thermoplastic materials with and without splinting elements of fixation on the state of periodontal tissues in patients with generalized periodontitis was studied. The results of clinical studies of patients periodontal tissues condition ,who have had dental defects on the background I-II severity of GP using partial splinting elements of fixation showed a significant improvement in oral hygiene, positive change in activity indicators current of generalized periodontitis. The group of patients for whom were made orthopedic constructions of thermoplastic masses, noticed reducing of the depth of periodontal pockets, tooth mobility, bleeding and inflammation of the interdental papillae and the gingival margin.

Oral complications associated with D-penicillamine treatment for Wilson disease: a clinicopathologic report.

BACKGROUND: Wilson disease (WD) is a hereditary disease inhibiting copper release from the liver. Multi-organ manifestations involve the liver, nervous system, kidneys, eyes, heart, and skin. Elastic fiber damage is a complication of the most frequently used medication in the treatment of WD D-penicillamine (D-PCA). These changes have very rarely been described in the oral cavity. The article describes oral complications associated with WD and its treatment by D-PCA. METHODS: Clinical, radiographic, and microscopic evaluation was done on two WD female patients (aged 28 and 53), treated by D-PCA, with clinical and pathological evidence for oral drug-related complications. RESULTS: The lesions included multiple small red papules of the lips, gingival enlargement, early onset periodontitis, and repeated oral candidiasis. Biopsies of oral mucosa (gingiva, buccal) exhibited in one case granulomatous inflammation, and in both cases, thick irregular clumps of tortuous, red-staining abnormal elastic fibers. The red lip papules resemble elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS). Similar lesions have been described in the skin, but never before in association with oral or perioral tissue. In addition to the oral lesions, one of the patients developed general intolerance to the drug and was switched to trientine hydrochloride. CONCLUSIONS: WD patients and others treated by D-PCA may develop oral and perioral complications, in some cases exhibiting features of damaged elastic fibers in the mucosa and periodontal apparatus. It is possible that this damage may be one of the factors responsible for poor periodontal health in WD patients. Recognition of the lesions can lead to replacement of the affecting therapeutic agent.

Current oral contraceptive status and periodontitis in young adults.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of current hormonal contraceptive medication on periodontal health in young females. METHODS: Fifty women aged 20 to 35 years (mean +/- SD: 29.7 +/- 4.7 years) had a comprehensive periodontal examination. Current and previous contraceptive pill use was assessed by a questionnaire. Periodontal assessment included plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and attachment level at six sites per tooth. The periodontal health of current pill users was compared to that of women not taking the pill. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of subjects were taking the contraceptive pill at the time of periodontal examination. Current pill users had deeper mean probing depths compared to non-users (3.3 mm versus 2.7 mm; P = 0.006) and more severe attachment loss (2.6 mm versus 1.7 mm; P = 0.015). Pill users had more sites with bleeding on probing (44.0% versus 31.1%; P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Current users of oral contraceptives had poorer periodontal health.

Effects of smoking and drinking habits on the incidence of periodontal disease and tooth loss among Japanese males: a 4-yr longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss, associated with habits of smoking and alcohol consumption, in a longitudinal study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 1332 Japanese males, 30-59 yr of age, who were free from periodontal disease at the baseline check-up, and who underwent a second check-up 4 yr later. Periodontal disease was diagnosed using the community periodontal index score, based on the clinical probing of pocket depth (> or = 4 mm). Smoking and alcohol consumption patterns were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A dose-response relationship was observed between the amount of smoking and the incidence of periodontal disease in each age group. The overall odds ratios (95% confidence intervals), adjusted for age and alcohol, were 1.51 (0.95-2.22), 1.58 (1.13-2.22) and 2.81 (1.96-4.03), among smokers consuming 1-19, 20 or 21 or more cigarettes per day, respectively, with a significant linear trend (p < 0.0001). A similar association was found between smoking and tooth loss, except for the 50-59-yr-old age group. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.26 (0.60-2.64), 2.01 (1.21-2.32) and 2.06 (1.23-3.48), respectively. A significant linear trend between smoking and tooth loss was also observed (p = 0.01). Ex-smokers showed no significant difference compared with nonsmokers. We also found a significant linear trend between alcohol consumption and tooth loss among 30-39-yr-old subjects, while no relationship was observed between alcohol consumption and periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking was found to be an independent risk factor for periodontal disease and tooth loss. Alcohol consumption was a limited risk factor for tooth loss in the younger age group, but was unrelated to periodontal disease. To prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss, health practitioners need to encourage people to stop smoking or not to start.

Oral health in liver transplant children administered cyclosporin A or tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression by cyclosporin A (CsA) is associated with adverse side-effects, including nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and gingival overgrowth. Tacrolimus (TAC/FK506) is a new immunosuppressive agent, recently approved for use in solid-organ transplants. The mode of action of TAC is similar to that of CsA and the toxicity profile of CsA is duplicated by TAC. The effect of TAC on the gingival tissue is not yet conclusive. SAMPLE: Gingival overgrowth was assessed in 30 liver transplant children, 20 boys and 10 girls, aged 2-19 years. Seventeen children (10 boys, seven girls) were on a CsA-based immunosuppressive regimen whereas 13 children (10 boys, three girls) were on TAC for at least 1 year (mean 4.3 +/- 2.7). RESULTS: In the CsA group, 35% of children exhibited gingival overgrowth characterized by one or more units with increased sulcus probing depth (> or = 4 mm), i.e. pseudopockets. In contrast to the CsA group, none of the children in the TAC group exhibited gingival overgrowth. The occurrence of enamel hypoplasia was observed in 11 children (36%) and enamel opacities were found in 23 children (76%). Six of the 12 children (50%) with hyperbilirubinaemia biliary atresia exhibited a marked greenish discoloration of the teeth. Caries experience (dmft/DMFT) among these children was 2.0 +/- 2.8. CONCLUSION: No difference in caries experience or enamel defect was observed between the CsA and TAC group.

Complicaciones gingivales en niños transplantados renales / Gingival complications in children undergoing kidney transplantation

El propósito de este trabajo es evaluar, en nuestro medio, las manifestaciones gingivales en niños trasplantados renales. Fueron examinados 43 niños y adolescentes que reciben ciclosporina. Se observó agrandamiento gingival en el 86 por ciento de ellos. Los pacientes con mayor porcentaje de sitios con A.G. presentaron cálculo. Resultó significativamente menor el porcentaje de A.G. en los que reciben sólo ciclosporina, comparados con los que reciben ciclosporina y antihipertensivos bloqueantes de los canales de calcio. La presencia de placa y tiempo transcurrido desde el transplante no influyeron significativamente en el porcentaje de agrandamiento gingival

Complicaciones gingivales en niños transplantados renales / Gingival complications in children undergoing kidney transplantation

El propósito de este trabajo es evaluar, en nuestro medio, las manifestaciones gingivales en niños trasplantados renales. Fueron examinados 43 niños y adolescentes que reciben ciclosporina. Se observó agrandamiento gingival en el 86 por ciento de ellos. Los pacientes con mayor porcentaje de sitios con A.G. presentaron cálculo. Resultó significativamente menor el porcentaje de A.G. en los que reciben sólo ciclosporina, comparados con los que reciben ciclosporina y antihipertensivos bloqueantes de los canales de calcio. La presencia de placa y tiempo transcurrido desde el transplante no influyeron significativamente en el porcentaje de agrandamiento gingival (AU)

Iatrogenic gingival overgrowth in cardiac transplantation.

It is well established that both cyclosporin and nifedipine are associated with gingival overgrowth. Although both drugs are widely used in the management of organ transplant patients, there is little information on the prevalence and severity of this unwanted effect in cardiac transplant patients. This study evaluated the gingival health of 94 dentate cardiac transplant patients, all of whom were medicated with cyclosporin as a component of their immunosuppressive therapy. Sixty-three (63) of the patients were also medicated with nifedipine. Significantly higher gingival overgrowth scores (P < 0.0001) and periodontal probing depths (P = 0.001) were observed in patients medicated with the combination of cyclosporin and nifedipine than those medicated with cyclosporin alone. Likewise, there was a significantly greater need to carry out gingival surgery on patients taking the combination (62%), than those medicated with cyclosporin alone (25.8%) (P = 0.001). Patient's age, sex, duration of therapy, gingival bleeding index, and nifedipine therapy were important determinants for both the expression of gingival overgrowth and the need for surgery. Significant sequestration of nifedipine in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was observed. The concentration of nifedipine in GCF did not relate to either the gingival changes or plasma concentration of the drug. Cardiac transplant patients are at risk of developing gingival overgrowth and approximately 50% require surgical intervention. This risk increases significantly when patients are medicated concomitantly with nifedipine.