A Denture Use Model Associated with Candida spp. in Immunocompetent Male and Female Rats.

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a common infection in denture wearers, especially women. This study evaluated the induction of DS using acrylic devices attached to the palate of rats combined with inoculation of Candida spp. Immunocompetent male and female rats received a carbohydrate-rich diet. Impressions were taken from the rats' palate to individually fabricate acrylic devices. Mono- and multispecies biofilms of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis were grown on the devices, which were then cemented on posterior teeth and kept in the rats' palate for four weeks. Microbial samples from the palate and the device were quantified. Oral microbiome of rats inoculated with C. albicans was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Log10(CFU/mL) were analyzed by mixed or two-way MANOVA (α = 0.05). Candida spp. and acrylic device did not induce palatal inflammation macroscopically nor microscopically. Although there was an increase (p < 0.001) of the total microbiota and female rats demonstrated higher (p = 0.007) recovery of Candida spp. from the palate, the gender differences were not biologically relevant. The microbiome results indicate an increase in inflammatory microbiota and reduction in health-associated micro-organisms. Although Candida spp. and acrylic device did not induce DS in immunocompetent rats, the shift in microbiota may precede manifestation of inflammation.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Curcumin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles in a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been proposed as an alternative method for oral candidiasis (OC), while nanocarriers have been used to improve the water solubility of curcumin (CUR). The aim of this study is to encapsulate CUR in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and to evaluate its photodynamic effects on a murine model of OC. Anionic and cationic CUR-NP is synthesized using poly-lactic acid and dextran sulfate and then characterized. Female mice are immunosuppressed and inoculated with Candida albicans (Ca) to induce OC. aPDT is performed by applying CUR-NP or free CUR on the dorsum of the tongue, followed by blue light irradiation for five consecutive days. Nystatin is used as positive control. Afterward, Ca are recovered and cultivated. Animals are euthanized for histological, immunohistochemical, and DNA damage evaluation. Encapsulation in NP improves the water solubility of CUR. Nystatin shows the highest reduction of Ca, followed by aPDT mediated by free CUR, which results in immunolabelling of cytokeratins closer to those observed for healthy animals. Anionic CUR-NP does not show antifungal effect, and cationic CUR-NP reduces Ca even in the absence of light. DNA damage is associated with Ca infection. Consecutive aPDT application is a safe treatment for OC.

Intraoral Device for Optimal Antifungal Delivery in a Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Antifungal agents incorporated into temporary denture resilient liners as drug carriers and delivery have been suggested as an alternative treatment for denture stomatitis. However, to test the in vivo biocompatibility of this protocol, standardization of an intraoral device for optimal drug delivery is required. OBJECTIVE: Standardized criteria were produced to adjust an acrylic intraoral device (IOD) for rats feasible for denture stomatitis treatment by sustained drug-delivery based on minimal inhibitory drug concentrations (MICs) of antifungals for Candida albicans biofilm. METHOD: Adjustments methodological involved diet, impression technique, type of retention device to the palate and histopathological analysis. 115 Wistar rats were tested without IOD, with devices without relining or relined with temporary resilient material (Trusoft) modified or not by drugs at MICs (nystatin-0.032g/mL; chlorhexidine diacetate-0.064g/mL; ketoconazole-0.128g/mL). The animals were sacrificed after 7 or 14 days from the IOD installation. RESULTS: Paste diet enabled the best animal survival conditions. The IODs that most satisfactorily remained in position were those designed only to the posterior palatal mucosa and cement-retained in molars, being all obtained from impressions highly detained and individual. In both periods, Trusoft without/with drugs showed good performance. Only histological samples from hard/soft tissues were considered appropriate for region of interest-RI determination (n=12), which corresponded to the area restricted to the first molars between the palatal neurovascular bundles. Final samples of all groups allowed a standardized descriptive histopathological analysis in both periods. CONCLUSION: The methodological standardization of this rat model resulted in IODs for optimal antifungal delivery for denture stomatitis treatment.