AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of telmisartan (TELM) on inflammation, oxidation and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the expression RANKL/RANK/OPG in the periodontal tissue of a rat model for ligature-induced periodontitis.Materials and methodsMale Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each: (i) non-ligated, given water; (ii) ligated, given water; (iii) ligated, given 1 mg/kg TELM; (iv) ligated, given 5 mg/kg TELM; and (v) ligated, given 10 mg/kg TELM. All groups were treated with saline or TELM for 10 days. Periodontal tissue was analysed by histopathology; by the immunohistochemical examination of COX-2, MMP-2, MMP-9 and the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway; and by ELISA analysis of the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH).ResultsTreatment with 10 mg/kg TELM resulted in reduced concentrations of MPO, MDA (p < 0.05) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β (p < 0.05); reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, RANK, RANKL and COX-2; and an increase in OPG. The levels of TNF-α were significantly reduced in all TELM-treated groups.ConclusionsThese findings confirm the involvement of TELM in reducing the inflammatory response, oxidative stress and bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

The objective of this study is to investigate the participation of inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators and the effects on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway in the response to treatment with olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of ten rats each: (1) non-ligature with water, (2) ligature with water, (3) ligature with 1 mg/kg olmesartan, (4) ligature with 6 mg/kg olmesartan, and (5) ligature with 10 mg/kg olmesartan. All groups were treated with olmesartan or the vehicle by gavage daily for 10 days. Following the treatment course, the periodontal tissue of the animals was analyzed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), MMP-2, MMP-9, and members of the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway and by ELISA and spectroscopic assay to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA), and glutathione. The concentrations of MPO and MDA were reduced in the group that received 6 mg/kg olmesartan (p < 0.05). In addition, the group that was treated with 6 mg/kg olmesartan showed a decreased level of IL-1β (p < 0.05), and all doses of olmesartan resulted in decreased levels of TNF-α. Furthermore, treatment with 6 mg/kg olmesartan led to downregulation of the expression of COX-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, RANKL, and RANK and to upregulation of the expression of OPG. These findings suggest that 6 mg/kg olmesartan reduces the inflammatory process and bone loss by downregulating MMPs and RANKL in osteoblasts and by upregulating OPG.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a pro-oxidant compound that depletes dihydrofolate pools and is widely used in the treatment of leukaemia and other malignancies. The efficacy of methotrexate is often limited by mucositis and intestinal injury, which are major causes of morbidity in children and adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of olmesartan (OLM), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on an Intestinal Mucositis Model (IMM) induced by MTX in Wistar rats. IMM was induced via intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of MTX (7 mg/kg) for three consecutive days. The animals were pre-treated with oral OLM at 0.5, 1 or 5 mg/kg or with vehicle 30 min prior to exposure to MTX. Small intestinal homogenates were assayed for levels of the IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α cytokines, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity. Additionally, immunohistochemical analyses of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK/RANKL and SOCS-1 and confocal microscopy analysis of SOCS-1 expression were performed. Treatment with MTX + OLM (5 mg/kg) resulted in a reduction of mucosal inflammatory infiltration, ulcerations, vasodilatation and haemorrhagic areas (p<0.05) as well as reduced concentrations of MPO (p<0.001) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p<0.001) and TNF-a (p<0.01), and increase anti-inflammatory cytocine IL-10 (p<0.05). Additionally, the combined treatment reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK and RANKL(p<0.05) and increased cytoplasmic expression of SOCS-1 (p<0.05). Our findings confirm the involvement of OLM in reducing the inflammatory response through increased immunosuppressive signalling in an IMM. We also suggest that the beneficial effect of olmesartan treatment is specifically exerted during the damage through blocking inflammatory cytocines.

This cross-sectional study compared quality of life and side effects in 108 users of olanzapine or risperidone suffering schizophrenia and being attended at psychiatric ambulatory services in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Economic, socio-demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal variables were compared. The EuroQoL Five-Dimension Scale (EQ-5D) was used to evaluate quality of life, and side effects were assessed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale and the Simpson-Angus Scale. Data were analysed using the χ(2) test and Student's t test, with a significance level of 5 %.The household incomes of approximately 80 % of patients were <2.0 minimum wages ($678). Anthropometric variables (waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, waist-to-hip ratio) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted among male olanzapine users (all p < 0.05). EQ-5D scores showed that olanzapine use significantly impacted self-help ability (p < 0.001). Risperidone users had a mean quality-adjusted life year value of 1. Mean total Simpson-Angus Scale scores was 0.38 for olanzapine users and 0.11 for risperidone users (p < 0.02). Significant differences in UKU were observed for the following items: asthenia/lassitude/fatigue (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.02), dystonia (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.01), tremors (higher among olanzapine users, p = 0.03), gynecomastia (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02), and ejaculatory dysfunction (higher among risperidone users, p < 0.02). Olanzapine users had impaired quality of life, which can be explained in part by adverse motor, biochemical, and hormonal effects characteristic of metabolic syndrome.