Effect of xylitol on salivary ß-glucosidase in humans.

Dental biofilm - in which a diverse set of microorganisms are embedded in a complex polysaccharide matrix that adheres to oral components - is one of the most complex microbial communities in the human body. As biofilm formation is related to oral infections, such as caries and periodontal diseases, strategies for biofilm control are crucial for maintaining oral health. Xylitol, a synthetic sugar used as a sucrose substitute, has been shown to reduce biofilm formation. However, its precise mechanism of action on biofilm reduction has so far not been elucidated. Previous studies demonstrate that bacterial ß-glucosidase action is crucial for biofilm formation. Here, we investigated the correlation between salivary ß-glucosidase activity and dental plaque occurrence. We found a positive correlation between enzymatic activity and the presence of dental biofilm. We observed that xylitol inhibits ß-glucosidase in human saliva. Kinetic studies also confirmed that xylitol acts as a mixed type inhibitor of salivary ß-glucosidase. Based on our data, we suggest that xylitol impairs oral biofilm formation by the inhibition of bacterial ß-glucosidase, which is essential for biofilm formation in the oral cavity.

Aspectos clínicos e concentração sérica da creatina-quinase e lactato-desidrogenase em cães submetidos à fisioterapia após atrofia muscular induzida / Clinical aspects and serum concentration creatina kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in dogs submitted to physiotherapy after induced muscle atrophy

Avaliou-se a resposta de diferentes protocolos fisioterapêuticos em cães após a indução de atrofia muscular por meio da imobilização do joelho por 30 dias. Os grupos foram denominados grupo C ou controle, grupo E (massagem, movimentação passiva e eletroterapia), grupo H (massagem, movimentação passiva e hidroterapia em esteira aquática) e grupo EH (massagem, movimentação passiva, eletroterapia e hidroterapia em esteira aquática). Foram mensurados os graus de claudicação, arco do movimento, circunferência da coxa e a variação sérica das enzimas creatina-quinase e lactato-desidrogenase. De acordo com os resultados encontrados, foi possível concluir que as modalidades terapêuticas de massagem, movimentação passiva da articulação, estimulação elétrica neuromuscular e hidroterapia por caminhada em esteira aquática aceleram a recuperação clínica em cães com atrofia muscular induzida.

The response of different physiotherapeutic treatment protocols was evaluated in dogs after muscle atrophy induced by joint immobilization for 30 days. Groups were named C group or control, E group (massage, passive range of motion and neuromuscular electrical stimulation), H group (massage, passive range of motion and aquatic therapy in underwater treadmill) and EH group (massage, passive range of motion, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and aquatic therapy in underwater treadmill). It was measured the degree of lameness, range motion, thigh circumference and range of serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). According to the results, it was possible to conclude that associated therapeutics modalities such as massage, passive range of motion of the joint, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and aquatic therapy by walking on underwater treadmill accelerate clinical recovery in dogs with induced muscle atrophy.