The Effect of Pistacia atlantica Var. mutica Mouthwash on Dental Plaque Bacteria and Subgingival Microorganisms: a Randomized and Controlled Triple-blind Study.

Dental plaque is a well-documented etiologic factor for periodontal diseases. While chlorhexidine (CHX) is the gold-standard agent for treating dental plaques, undesirable side effects are often found after continuous use of the mouthwash. Therefore, this single-center, randomized, triple-blinded and clinical trial was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Pistacia atlantica Var. mutica extract mouthwash on de novo dental plaque bacteria and subgingival microorganisms compared to CHX on a total of 28 patients. The mean aerobic plaque bacterial count of patients at baseline was 2.17 × 10(6). After 4 days of treatment, there were statistically significant decreases in the mean aerobic bacteria in the patients who received P. atlantica and/or CHX (7.25 × 10(4), p = 0.006) and (9.91 × 10(3), p = 0.002), respectively, compared to the patients who received the placebo (6.26 × 10(5)). This study showed that P. atlantica mouthwash is effective against gingival microorganisms. Because of its reduced side effects, P. atlantica mouthwash may be a good alternative choice for patients.

Importance of timing of magnesium administration in the isolated ischemic-reperfused rat heart: role of K(ATP) channels.

There is a growing interest for the beneficial effect of magnesium (Mg) in cardiovascular disorders. A number of cardiovascular disorders including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and congestive heart failure have been associated with low extra- cellular or intracellular concentrations of Mg. The efficiency of the preconditioning effect of Mg on cardiac function and infarct size in the globally ischemic-reperfused isolated rat heart was studied together with the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels in protection induced by Mg. Rat hearts were Langendorff perfused, subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and 90 min of reperfusion, including treatment groups which focused on different times of Mg (8 mmol/l) use. Infarct size was measured by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) method. The left ventricular function was assessed by left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), heart rate (HR) and coronary flow (CF). The administration of Mg before ischemia had an anti-infarct effect in rat hearts and improved cardiac function. The protective effects of magnesium was abolished by the blocking of K(ATP) channels and suggests that K-ATP channel has an important role in the heart protection effect of Mg as a preconditioning agent.

Culture filtrate of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii (CneF) as a novel anti-inflammatory compound in the treatment of experimental septic arthritis.

We examined the efficacy of the culture filtrate of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii (CneF) as a novel anti-inflammatory compound in experimental septic arthritis. Haematogenously infectious arthritis was induced in rats by a single intravenous injection of 109 CFU Staphylococcus aureus producing toxic shock syndrome toxin-1. CneF solution at two different doses (36 and 72 mg/kg, based on carbohydrate concentration) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h before bacterial inoculation in the prevention groups and simultaneously with the appearance of clinical signs in the therapeutic groups. CneF administration was continued at regular 48-h intervals for 10 injections. The results of clinical evaluation showed that CneF-treated rats were significantly protected from disease development compared with nontreated controls. This finding correlated with the results of histological and radiological assessments of the involved joints. Synovial hypertrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation and cartilage/bone destruction were found to be significantly decreased in the prevention and therapeutic groups compared with arthritic controls. The data suggest that CneF may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of septic arthritis.

Effect of granisetron on morphine-induced analgesia in mice by formalin test.

1. In this investigation, the influence of a selective 5HT3 antagonist, granisetron, on morphine-induced antinociception in the formalin test has been studied. There is evidence that the 5HT3 receptor system takes part in analgesic response. 2. Male albino mice weighing 22-27 g were used in the experiments. All drugs were administered 30 min before formalin injection. Comparison between groups was made by analysis of variance and then Newman-Keuls test. 3. Different doses of morphine (1.5-9.0 mg/kg) subcutaneously induced antinociception in both phases of the formalin test. 4. Coadministration of granisetron (0.1-10.0 mg/kg) intraperitoneally had no effect on morphine analgesia, but granisetron injection alone induced dose-dependent analgesia in both phases of the formalin test. 5. Results of this study suggest a role for a new selective 5HT3 antagonist in analgesia.