PurposeAnti-inflammatory proprieties of curcumin were proved to be useful in various diseases, including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory comparative effect of curcumin solution with liposomal curcumin formula, regarding the improvement of serum levels of TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-6 (interleukin), IL-1α, IL-1β, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and RANTES in experimental diabetes, induced by streptozotocin (STZ), in rats.Materials and methodsSix groups of 7 rats were investigated regarding the effect of i.p. (intraperitoneal) administration of two concentrations of curcumin solution (CC1 and CC2) and two concentrations of liposomal curcumin (LCC1 and LCC2): group 1 – control group with i.p. administration of 1 mL saline solution, group 2 – i.p. STZ administration (60mg/kg bw, bw=body weight), group 3 – STZ+CC1 administration, group 4 – STZ+CC2 administration, group 5 – STZ+ LCC1 administration and group 6 – STZ+ LCC2 administration. The concentrations of curcumin formulas were 1 mg/0.1 kg bw for CC1 and LCC1 and 2 mg/0.1 kg bw for CC2 and LCC2, respectively. Serum levels of C-peptide (as an indicator of pancreatic function) and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, MCP-1, and RANTES (as biomarkers for systemic inflammation) were assessed for each group.ResultsThe plasma level of C-peptide showed significant improvements when LCC was administrated, with better results for LCC2 when compared to LCC1 (P<0.003). LCC2 pretreatment proved to be more efficient in reducing the level of TNF-α (P<0.003) and RANTES (P<0.003) than CC2 pretreatment. Upon comparing LCC2 with LCC1 formulas, the differences were significant for TNF-α (P=0.004), IL-1β (P=0.022), and RANTES (P=0.003) levels.ConclusionLiposomal curcumin in a dose of 2 mg/0.1 kg bw proved to have an optimum therapeutic effect as a pretreatment in DM induced by STZ. This result can constitute a base for clinical studies for curcumin efficiency as adjuvant therapy in type 1 DM.

Throughout history, nature has been acknowledged for being a primordial source of various bioactive molecules in which human macular carotenoids are gaining significant attention. Among 750 natural carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and their oxidative metabolites are selectively accumulated in the macular region of living beings. Due to their vast applications in food, feed, pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industries, the global market of lutein and zeaxanthin is continuously expanding but chemical synthesis, extraction and purification of these compounds from their natural repertoire e.g., plants, is somewhat costly and technically challenging. In this regard microbial as well as microalgal carotenoids are considered as an attractive alternative to aforementioned challenges. Through the techniques of genetic engineering and gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9, the overproduction of lutein and zeaxanthin in microorganisms can be achieved but the commercial scale applications of such procedures needs to be done. Moreover, these carotenoids are highly unstable and susceptible to thermal and oxidative degradation. Therefore, esterification of these xanthophylls and microencapsulation with appropriate wall materials can increase their shelf-life and enhance their application in food industry. With their potent antioxidant activities, these carotenoids are emerging as molecules of vital importance in chronic degenerative, malignancies and antiviral diseases. Therefore, more research needs to be done to further expand the applications of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Correct breast feeding can be considered a tool for the post-natal prophylaxis of craniofacial abnormalities, or at least a way of reducing their extent.Inadequate bottle feeding forces the tongue and cheek muscles to develop a compensating and atypical function, in order to obtain the milk. As a result, there can be an adaptation change of the dental and bone structures, leading to malocclusions.Finger-sucking is normal in the first two-three years of life. It gives the child a feeling of relaxation; that is why it is usually practiced before sleeping. The effects of non-nutritive sucking on the developing dentition are minor in the child under 3 years of age and are usually limited to changes in the incisor position. Some upper or lower incisors (depend on how the finger has been sucked) become spontaneously tipped toward the lips, and/or others are prevented from erupting. Normally children abandon this habit between 2 and 4 years of age. If it persists after this age, it will be the cause for some dental-maxillary anomalies: open-bite, narrow maxilla with upper protrusion, cross-bite; all these could be accompanied by retrognathic mandible.

Background/Aim: The hepatoprotective role of various molecules in drug-induced hepatotoxicity arouses great interest. We investigated the effect of liposomal curcumin (LCC) on experimental acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups, and the effect of two LCC concentrations was studied: group 1 -1 ml intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline, group 2 -APAP pretreatment, group 3 -APAP+silymarin (extract of the silybum marianum with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties), group 4 -APAP+LCC1, group 5 -APAP+LCC2. The biomarkers of oxidative stress (nitric oxide and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant status of plasma (thiols and catalase), TNF-α, MMP-2 and MMP-9 serum levels were evaluated. Results: An improvement in oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and TNF-α, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels was obtained in groups pretreated with LCC compared to silymarin treatment, in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological examination reinforced the results. Conclusion: Liposomal curcumin improves the oxidative stress/antioxidant balance and alleviates inflammation in experimental APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Background: Due to the higher frequency of ischemic stroke in men compared to women, we aimed to determine if gender differences exist regarding periodontal status and several plasma biomarkers in patients with a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke (IS). Material and methods: Patients with their first IS within less than six weeks who were able to undergo periodontal examinations were evaluated. Demographic data, periodontal status, oxidative stress parameters/plasma antioxidant capacity, and C-reactive protein in patients who suffered a recent large artery atherosclerosis ischemic stroke were reccorded. Results: 93 patients were included in the study. More men were smokers (12/57 vs. 3/36) and consumed alcohol (17/57 vs. 3/36), and more women had higher glycemic values (p = 0.023), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.010), and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (p = 0.005) levels. Significantly more men than women had moderate plus severe periodontal disease (p = 0.018), significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (p = 0.034), and significantly lower levels of total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.028). Conclusions: In this pilot study, men seem to be more prone to oxidative stress and to develop more severe forms of periodontitis among patients with stroke, but the results need validation on a larger sample.