Altered levels of salivary biochemical markers in periodontitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between periodontitis and levels of biochemical markers as well as enzyme activity. METHODS: Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 30 patients with periodontitis. Biochemical factors including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), uric acid (UA), and lactoferrin, as well as ß-hexosaminidase (ß-HEX) activity were measured. RESULTS: The levels of a salivary oxidant such as MDA and NO were statistically significantly higher in periodontitis patients than to that of healthy individuals. Similarly, the results indicated elevated levels of lactoferrin and ß-HEX activity in saliva of the periodontitis group, which was statistically significant when compared to the controls. While the levels of an enzymatic antioxidant such as SOD were higher in the periodontitis patients than in the control subjects, uric acid levels were statistically significantly lower in the saliva of the periodontitis patients than in the healthy controls. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Except for uric acid, as a non-enzymatic antioxidant, the levels of salivary oxidative stress generally increase in the saliva of periodontitis patients. Since altered levels of salivary biomarkers such as oxidative stress and antioxidant substances might contribute in systemic and local complications in the patients, these informative biomarkers can be used as a promising factor for the early diagnosis of the disease.

Population Survey of Knowledge about Oral Cancer and Related Factors in the Capital of Iran.

Knowledge about oral cancer risk factors and signs is thought to improve prevention and early diagnosis, and in turn, increases survival. In this population-based survey, knowledge about oral cancer was assessed in Iran. A total of 1800 self-administered questionnaires (collecting sociodemographic data and questions regarding oral cancer risk factors and signs) were distributed through random sampling. Final scores ranged between 0 and 15 for the risk factors and 0-11 for the signs. Scores below the median indicated a low level of knowledge, scores representing the third quartile of correct answers indicated a moderate level of knowledge, and scores representing the upper quartile indicated a high level of knowledge. Statistical tests were used for analysis of knowledge level in different sociodemographic categories. A total of 1312 participants completed the questionnaires. The average of knowledge scores for risk factors was 5.3 ± 3.0 and for signs was 4.5 ± 2.9. Overall, 75 and 56% respectively were able to identify major risk factors (smoking and alcohol); 23.5% could not define any related signs and symptoms. Dividing scores into quartiles indicated that three out of four people had "low" knowledge about risk factors and 58% had "low" knowledge about signs and symptoms. Females and highly educated people had more knowledge of oral cancer. Significant difference was found between job and level of knowledge (P = 0.001). This survey revealed that public knowledge of oral cancer was not satisfactory in Iran. Efforts should be done to inform and educate people with risk factors, initial clinical presentation, and symptoms, in order to improve prevention and promote early diagnosis.

Is there any association between green tea consumption and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Finding from a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Green tea consumption has been shown to reduce the incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in experimental animal models, however the results from human studies are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between green tea consumption and the risk of HNSCC. DESIGN: The study utilised a standardised questionnaire to investigate the relationship between green tea consumption and HNSCC experience. Data about amount of green tea consumption was recorded from 147 patients with HNSCC and 263 age and gender matched controls. The results were analyzed with SPSS statistical software Version 21 using Chi- square test, and Logistic Regression (with a 95% confidence interval). Significance levels were set at 95% and p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between different groups of tea consumers in terms of HNSCC risk (P < 0.001). The risk of developing oral cancer those who consume <1 cup of green tea daily was (OR = 0.29 (0.16-0.52) and for the group of > = 1 cup green tea consumers was 0.38(0.17-0.86) of those who never consume green tea (Reference point) after adjustment for other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support that green tea consumption may reduce the risk of HNSCC. To confirm the efficacy of green tea intake in preventing the development of HNSCC in humans further investigation is needed.

Efficacy of alum for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common painful ulcers of oral mucosal which can cause many sufferings. Treatment of RAS often includes administration of corticosteroids, analgesics and regulators of the immune system. However, considering the side effects of these medications, even their topical application must be done with caution. Alum is used in traditional medicine for treatment of oral ulcers without significant side effect. This study sought to assess the effect of topical application of alum on aphthous ulcers. METHODS: This clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 50 females aged 21 to 27 years. Mucosal adhesive patches were prepared in two forms of basic and 7% alum-containing patches. Subjects in two groups of case and control randomly received the mucosal adhesive patches containing alum and the basic patches, respectively three times in five days. Duration of recovery, changes in size of lesion and severity of pain were recorded. Data were entered into SPSS Version 16 and analyzed using t-test. RESULTS: The average period of full recovery was 7.52 days in the case and 12.2 days in the control groups; which was significantly different (p<0.001). Size of wound and severity of pain were significantly lower at one, three and five days posttreatment compared to baseline values before treatment in the case group (p<0.001) and the difference in this regard between the case and control groups was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Alum can significantly decrease the size of aphthous lesions, severity of pain and expedite the recovery of patients with RAS.

Is There a Relation between ABO Blood Groups and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Pemphigoid? A Case-Control Study.

Background. Relationship between blood groups and dermatologic diseases remains controversial and was not yet fully elucidated nor explained clearly. The aim of this study was to examine if any relation exists between different types of pemphigoid diseases and ABO blood group. Methods. In this case-control study, 159 pemphigoid patients and 152 healthy matched-controls were evaluated. All blood group (including Rh status) data for the study was obtained from the hospital medical records. Statistical comparisons were completed with chi-square test and logistic regression. Results. Blood group "O" was found in 32.9% of patients and 38.2% of control group. Blood group "A" was found among 30.8% of patients and 34.2% of control group, while group "B" was reported in 27.4% of cases and 21.1% of controls and "AB" was identified among 8.9% of patients and 6.6% of control group. 84.9% of patients were Rh positive, while in the control group 86.2% of patients were Rh positive. No significant differences were found regarding ABO blood groups (P = 0.46) or Rh (P = 0.76) between pemphigoid patients and control group. Also, older females had the higher risk of developing bullous pemphigoid. Conclusion. We found no relationship between ABO blood groups and pemphigoid disease.

Evaluation of salivary and serum alpha amylase level in dentalcaries of adolescence / Avaliação do nível de alfa-amilase salivar e sérica na cárie dentária da adolescência

Previous studies suggested a significant relationship between alpha- amylase and caries formation. This study was implemented in order to investigate the interrelation between level of salivary and serum alpha- amylase, and dental caries. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, un-stimulated whole saliva and serum samples were collected from 118 high school students who were divided into four groups: caries free females (N = 28), caries active females (N = 35), caries free males (N = 28) and caries active males (N =27). Mean levels of salivary and serum alpha-amylase was evaluated by spectrophotometric methods to assayenzyme kinetics. Data were analyzed using student’st-tests and chi-square tests. Results: Salivary alpha amylase was significantly higher in caries active groups as compared to caries free groups (P = 0.002). The mean salivary alpha -amylase was significantly higherin caries active males (P = 0.002). Also, serum alpha-amylase was significantly higher in caries active groups as compared to caries free groups (P = 0.001). In bothsexes the mean serum alpha- amylase levels were statistically significant higher in caries active compared to caries free groups (P = 0.02 and 0.01 respectively). Conclusion: A significant association was found between salivary and serum alpha- amylase and dental caries in adolescents. More research to demonstrate there al relation between alpha amylase and dental caries is recommended...

Objetivo: Alguns estudos anteriores sugeriram uma relação significativa entre a alfa-amilase e a formação de cárie. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a interrelação entre o nível de alfa-amilase na saliva e no soro e a cárie. Material e Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, amostras de saliva não-estimulada e soro foram coletadas de 118 estudantes do ensino médio que foram divididos em quatro grupos: mulheres livres de cárie (n = 28), mulheres com cárie ativa (n = 35), homens livres de cárie (n = 28) e homens com cárie ativa (n = 27). O nível de alfa-amilase da saliva e soro foi avaliado por espectrofotometria para ensaios de cinética enzimática. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes “t”e Qui-quadrado. Resultados: A alfa-amilase salivar foi significativamente maior nos grupos com cárie ativa em comparação com os grupos livres de cárie (p = 0,002). A alfa amilase salivar foi significativamente maior nos homens com cáries ativa (p = 0,002). Além disso, a alfa amilase sérica foi significativamente maior nos grupos de cárie ativa, em comparação com os grupos livres de cárie(p = 0,001). Em ambos os sexos a média da alfa-amilase sérica foi estatisticamente superior nos grupos de cárie ativa, em comparação com livres de cárie (p = 0,02 e 0,01, respectivamente). Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma associação significativa entre a alfa-amilase salivar e sérica em indivíduos com a cárie dentária na adolescência. São recomendadas mais investigações para demonstrar real relação entre os níveis de alfa-amilase e cárie dentária...

Cariostatic effect of green tea in comparison with common anticariogenic agents: an in vitro study.

Background and aims. Anticariogenic effects of different mouthrinses have been shown previously. In this in vitro study the anticariogenic effects of polyphenol extract of green tea with 0.05% fluoride, 0.2% chlorhexidine and fluoride-chlorhexidine were compared. Materials and methods. This in vitro study was performed on 50 maxillary premolars in 5 groups: 1) normal saline; 2) a 10% solution of green tea polyphenol extract; 3) 0.05% fluoride; 4) 0.2% chlorhexidine; and 5) fluoride-chlorhexidine. Each tooth was placed in a tube which contained a cariogenic solution. Every day the teeth were washed (depending on the experimental groups) with 5 mL of mouthrinse solution. The depth of the caries was measured under a polarized light microscope. Data were analyzed using SPSS 13.0 with Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results. The mean and standard deviation (in µm) of caries depth were 194±16.43, 175±17.94, 142±9.34, 155±13.27, and 144±8.57 in groups 1 to 5, respectively, with significant differences between the groups (P<0.001). Tukey test showed that although there was no significant difference in the depth of caries in groups 1 and 2 (P>0.001), they were significantlyless than those in groups 3 to 5 (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between decay depth of groups 3, 4 and 5 (P>0.001). Conclusion. The anticariogenic effect of fluoride-chlorhexidine was the highest among the groups. Although green tea showed higher cariostatic effects than normal saline, in comparison with other mouthrinses, it is less effective. More re-search is strongly recommended for clinical use of green tea as an anticariogenic agent.

Levels of salivary antioxidant vitamins and lipid peroxidation in patients with oral lichen planus and healthy individuals.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease of unknown etiology. Many studies have implicated the protective role of antioxidants in such diseases. The aim of this study was to compare salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC and malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamin (vitamin s A, C and E) levels in patients with erosive OLP and healthy individuals. Thirty six patients with OLP (14 males, 22 females) and 36 control subjects (15 males, 21 females), matched for age and sex were enrolled in this case control study. The salivary levels of MDA, TAC, and antioxidant vitamin levels were measured in both case and control groups. The salivary level of MDA was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients than in controls. In patients with OLP, the TAC of saliva was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects (p<0.001). Compared with controls, the levels of salivary antioxidant vitamins were significantly decreased in patients with OLP (p<0.001). In addition, a positive correlation was found between the decrease in the salivary amount of vitamin C and that in vitamin E in patients and controls. In addition to the lower salivary levels of antioxidant vitamins and the lower TAC, the higher level of MDA in patients with OLP suggests that free radicals and the resulting oxidative damage may be important in the pathogenesis of OLP lesions.

Herbs in dentistry.

Herbs have been used for centuries to prevent and control disease. Herbal extracts are effective because they interact with specific chemical receptors within the body and are in a pharmacodynamic sense, drugs themselves. By using herbal medicines, patients have averted the many side effects that generally come with traditional medicines, but this does not mean that side effects do not occur. Only knowledgeable practitioners can prescribe the right herb and its proper dosage. Herbal medicines had been considered in every culture, however, pharmaceutical companies overturned this type of thinking. Now, pharmaceuticals are called traditional and herbs are libeled as the 'alternative'. The biggest challenge and problem is lack of information about the effect of herbs in oral tissues, mechanism of effect, and side effects. Several popular conventional drugs on the market are derived from herbs. These include aspirin (from white willow bark), digitalis (from foxglove), and sudafed (modelled after a component in the plant ephedra). Herbal products can vary in their potency. Therefore, care must be taken in selecting herbs, even so, herbal medicines have dramatically fewer side effects and are safer to use than conventional medications. The herbs described in this article are Bloodroot, Caraway, Chamomile, Echinacea, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Aloe Vera, Propolis, and a summary of other herbs that are useful in dentistry. Herbs may be good alternatives to current treatments for oral health problems but it is clear that we need more research.