Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that affects supporting structures of the teeth. Although the gingival response is largely described, little is known about the immune changes in the alveolar bone and neighboring tissues that could indicate periodontal disease (PD) activity. Then, in this study we identified the ongoing inflammatory changes and novel biomarkers for periodontitis in the tissues directly affected by the destructive disease in PD patients. Samples were collected by osteotomy in 17 control subjects during extraction of third molars and 18 patients with advanced PD, in which alveoloplasty was necessary after extraction of teeth with previous extensive periodontal damage. Patients presented mononuclear cells infiltration in the connective tissue next to the bone and higher fibrosis area, along with increased accumulation of IL-17+ and TRAP+ cells. The levels of TNF-α and MMP-2 mRNA were also elevated compared to controls and a positive and significant correlation was observed between TNF-α and MMP-2 mRNA expression, considering all samples evaluated. In conclusion, nongingival tissues neighboring large periodontal pockets present inflammatory markers that could predict ongoing bone resorption and disease spreading. Therefore, we suggested that the detailed evaluation of these regions could be of great importance to the assessment of disease progression.
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven to be an effective alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Skin lesions consist of ulcers with well‐defined raised edges, and granular floor. Th1 immune response is the protective profile in patients infected with Leishmania. In this study, the photodynamic therapy with 5‐aminolevulinic acid, the parasitic load, and the modulation of the immune response was evaluated in mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis. Balb/c mice were infected with L. braziliensis and subsequently treated with three sections of PDT. The parasite load and mRNA expression of cytokines (IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐17, IL‐22, IL‐27, IL‐10) and transcription factors (GATA‐3, Foxp3 and T‐bet) were analysed by quantitative PCR. The parasite load in the treated group was significantly lower than in the untreated group (P<.0001); in PDT treated animals, we observed an increase in IFN‐γ and T‐bet mRNA (P=.012 and P=.0071). There was a significant reduction in mRNA expression of IL‐22 associated with an increased expression of IL‐27 mRNA in the animals treated with light only (P=.0001). 5‐ALA associated with photodynamic therapy promotes a reduction in parasite load and an increased expression of IFN‐γ and T‐bet mRNA.
ObjectivesThe Mikania laevigata extract (MLE) (popularly known in Brazil as
"guaco") possesses anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study we tested
the effects of MLE in a periodontitis experimental model in rats. We also
investigated possible mechanisms underlying such effects. Material and MethodsPeriodontal disease was induced by a ligature placed around the mandibular first
molars of each animal. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: non-ligated
animals treated with vehicle; non-ligated animals treated with MLE (10 mg/kg,
daily); ligature-induced animals treated with vehicle and ligature-induced animals
treated with MLE (10 mg/kg, daily). Thirty days after the induction of periodontal
disease, the animals were euthanized and mandibles and gingival tissues removed
for further analysis. ResultsMorphometric analysis of alveolar bone loss demonstrated that MLE-treated animals
presented a decreased alveolar bone loss and a lower expression of the activator
of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) measured by immunohistochemistry. Moreover,
gingival tissues from the MLE-treated group showed decreased neutrophil migration
myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. ConclusionsThese results indicate that MLE may be useful to control bone resorption during
progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.
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