Aim of the studyThe present study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of oral complications in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Material and methodsThe study was conducted on a group of 58 patients treated with chemotherapy (study group). The control group consisted of 30 healthy patients. Dental status and oral mucosa were examined using the criteria of the National Cancer Institute Toxicity Criteria Scale. The levels of stimulated and unstimulated saliva flow were analysed.ResultsIn the group of patients treated with chemotherapy, 59% of patients had inflammatory changes of the soft tissues of the mouth, such as erythema, erosions, or ulcers, which were discovered during dental examination. Such changes occurred in only 10% of patients in the control group. Six of the patients treated with chemotherapy reported pain with intensity was so severe that it caused swallowing difficulties. Patients in the study group frequently complained about the presence of dry mouth, taste disturbances, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms occurred in 70% of patients undergoing oncological treatment. In both stimulated and unstimulated saliva secretion, the rates were significantly lower in patients from the research group, when compared to the control group.

Background. Osteocalcin (OC) contributes to the process of bone mineralization. Present study was designed to investigate the changes in OC gene expression of postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Study was also designed to evaluate OC gene expression in cells which are not part of connective tissue. Material and Methods. Research was carried out on 30 postmenopausal women not treated and 30 treated with HRT. Examination of OC gene expression was conducted on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and buccal epithelial lining (BEL). Densitometry was conducted on femur and mandible. Results. Tests revealed OC gene expression in BEL and PBL. BMD was higher in groups treated with HRT. Assessment of correlation between the OC gene expression in BEL and BMD of mandible revealed significant positive relation. Conclusions. OC gene expression can be stated BEL and PBL. Analysis of correlation between OC gene expression in oral cavity and mandible BMD showed significant correlation between local OC expression and local bone metabolism. The relation between OC gene expression and bone metabolism is complex and further research is needed to clear all of the uncertainties.

The study was designed to compare the levels of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the serum and saliva of menopausal women and verify whether there is a correlation between concentrations of these cytokines and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur and mandible. Blood and saliva samples were collected from a group of 60 women during menopause--30 untreated (control group) and 30 treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (research group). Densitometry was conducted on the femoral bone and mandible. BMD in the research group was significantly higher than in the control group. The OPG concentration was slightly higher in the research group. The concentration of RANKL was slightly higher in the control group. Differences in RANKL/OPG between groups were not high enough to be statistically significant. Analysis of the RANKL in saliva revealed a significantly higher concentration of this factor in the control group. Observed beneficial effects of HRT on bone tissue may be exerted through the RANKL/OPG ratio, but further research is required to clearly confirm this thesis.

Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the variability of the level of copper, zinc and manganese in saliva amongst women with hypoestrogenia, treated and untreated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 60 women treated and untreated with HRT. Half of the patients were after natural menopause and other half was after surgical removal of ovaries. Research on micronutrients in non-stimulated saliva and blood serum was carried out in 2005. Tests on saliva were repeated in 2010. Investigation of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral bone was performed in year 2010. Results: Statistical analysis of concentration of copper and zinc revealed a linear correlation between the levels of these microelements in blood serum and saliva. The study revealed that HRT has a beneficial effect on BMD and the concentration of copper and manganese in saliva and blood serum of patients after the menopause. Patients treated with HRT showed higher BMD values than groups not treated with hormones. Conclusions: Saliva appears to be a promising diagnostic material which can be used to analyze the content of trace elements, but further research should be carried out on a broader research group.

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Salivary stones (sialolithiasis) are diagnosed in 0.007% of the population and are the most common cause of submandibular and parotid salivary glands obstruction. In the past, sialolithiasis was the leading cause of submandibular gland resection. The dynamic development of medical technology greatly expanded the range of therapeutic options used in the treatment of salivary stones. The introduction of ultrasound and endoscopic techniques to the process of salivary stones diagnosis greatly facilitated the identification of salivary stones. Endoscopic methods made it possible to perform surgeries on the salivary glands in an almost atraumatic way. The use of laser devices, piezoelectric or magnetostrictive effect, enabled the efficient crushing of large salivary calculus deposits (sialolithotrypsis) and removal of stones fragments through the lumen of salivary duct. Modern therapeutic methods enabled to reduce the number of sialoadenectomies to a minimum. In addition, these methods are characterized by a s mall number of serious complications and a very high success ratio, reaching up to 97%.