No abstract

This study reports on the development of drug containing acrylic strips for delivering antimicrobial agents and compares the in vitro release pattern with dialysis tubing. Polyethylmethacrylic strips of suitable dimensions containing 10 to 50% chlorhexidine acetate, 40% metronidazole and 40% tetracycline were prepared. Daily release of the incorporated drugs into 1 ml aliquots was measured spectrophotometrically over a 14 day period. Similarly the release of chlorhexidine gluconate from various lengths of patent and heat sealed dialysis tubing was recorded for 4 days. At 30%, 40% and 50% admixtures the acrylic strips released chlorhexidine up to the 14 day period and a parallel bioassay confirmed the maintenance of antibacterial activity to this time. At the same admixture the release of metronidazole was greater than chlorhexidine and tetracycline. All drugs were released at high levels on day 1 followed by a marked fall in release by day 2 and progressive fall thereafter. The release from tubing was almost total within 24 hours and was independent of sealing the ends. The strips appear to have potential for prolonged drug delivery to periodontal pockets. Preliminary clinical use revealed no patient acceptability problems and alterations in subgingival flora were produced.

The effects on the water uptake and weight loss of the incorporation of chlorhexidine acetate in heat cured acrylic and an acrylic gel soft liner was determined. Hardness and transverse bend measurement were similarly made for admixtures to heat and cold cured acrylics. Following soaking in water for 87 days the heat cured test specimens demonstrated an initial weight gain followed by a progressive loss, the soft liner test specimens however all showed weight gains. Drying back specimens to constant weight revealed significantly greater weight losses in test compared to control specimens for both the cured acrylic and gel liner. However these weight losses were less than the chlorhexidine content for 5 and 10% admixtures. Hardness and moduli of elasticity measurements were significantly reduced for heat and cold cured acrylics containing chlorhexidine. The property changes observed in the materials would be consistent with the pattern of incorporation of chlorhexidine into the matrix. However, these do not negate the carriage of medicaments in these materials for prolonged delivery within the oral cavity, if employed as rebase or reline materials in existing prostheses.

No abstract

Su,nntarv. The effects of H, Ca, and anaerobiosis upon loss of K to ambient solutions, upon changes in the fine structure, and upon the respiration of corn root tissue were studied. In the pH range 5.5 to 8.0 losses of K decreased with decreasing H concentration. Ca reduced K loss greatly in the lower part of the pH range but with increasing pH the effect of Ca declined. Losses of K tinder No were much greater than those measured tinder air but the same effects of H and Ca were found. The effect of phosphate upon K loss was found to depend upon pH, temperature and the state of development of the tissue.In pure H90 or dilute HCl no obvious derangement of the fine structure of meristematic cells was found to occur in 3 hours above pH 4.4 except attenuation of the groundplasm. At pH 4.4 and below, serious injury was found. The presence of CaCl, or NaCl in the treatment solution greatly ameliorated the effect of H, CaCI, being effective at minute concentration (0.01 meq per liter). NaH2P04 was without any great effect. Anaerobiosis at neutral pH produced severe tissue damage.In contrast to anaerobic treatments, aerobic treatments (pH 5.8) resulting in large losses of K were not accompanied by any diminution of the respiratory rate.