Periodontal tissue deteriorates under persistent oxidative stress induced by inflammatory reactions in the microflora of the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the cellular properties of mouse gingival fibroblasts (MGFs) in the presence of oxidative stress. MGFs from 10-, 30- and 52-week-old mice were used to evaluate the changes in the cellular properties with aging. The study investigated the effects of oxidative stress on the cellular properties of MGFs from 10-week-old mice. The expression of p53, p21 and murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) in the MGFs in response to oxidative stress was also examined. By day 8, the number of MGFs increased in culture. However, the increase was markedly lower in MGFs derived from aged mice. Oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced morphological changes characterized by a round shape with enlarged nuclei and expanded cytoplasm. The cell number of MGFs was decreased subsequent to treatment with 50 μM or a higher concentration of H2O2. MGFs treated with H2O2 at 20 μM showed a similar cell growth curve as the one seen in 52-week-old mice. Phosphorylated p53 protein was increased in MGFs subsequent to treatment with 20 μM H2O2, along with an upregulated transcription of p21 and Mdm2 mRNAs. These results suggest that treatment with a lower concentration of H2O2 in MGFs induces cell cycle arrest, resulting in stress-induced premature senescence, possibly correlated with the development of periodontal diseases.

This study examined the ability of a photocatalyst mixed in a denture base resin to decompose organic substances which adhered to the denture base resin surface. The photocatalyst was mixed with denture base resin at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15％ (w/w). Decomposition test, bending test, and surface roughness measurement were performed at 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after polymerization. Decomposition ability was evaluated based on the residual amount of methylene blue (MB) dissolved in ethanol after UV irradiation for 12 hours. As the mixing ratio increased, the amount of MB in the solution decreased. Meanwhile, no changes in the amount of MB in the immersion solution were observed in the photocatalystfree resin specimen. Therefore, the results indicated that a denture base resin containing a photocatalyst might have a photocatalytic ability.

This study examined the antimicrobial/antifungal ability of a tissue conditioner containing a photocatalyst for Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The photocatalyst was mixed with tissue conditioners powders at concentrations of 0, 10, 15, and 20 wt%. Tissue conditioners powders containing a photocatalyst were mixed with liquid to make test specimens. Test specimens inoculated by each microorganism were irradiated by ultraviolet light for 0-, 2-and 4 hours. The antimicrobial/antifungal effects were evaluated by the CFU technique. The CFU values of each microorganism for tissue conditioners containing a photocatalyst showed significant decrease following UV-irradiation. The improvement in antimicrobial/antifungal effects was concomitant with the increase of the mixing ratio and the irradiation time. Therefore, the results indicated that tissue conditioners containing a photocatalyst might have photocatalytic ability.

These results indicate that no age-dependent change in the cell proliferation or cell death occurred in the gingival and junctional epithelial layers as well as in the cell proliferation in the submucosal connective tissue. Meanwhile, a significant decrease in the cellular component of the submucosal connective tissue of both gingival and junctional epithelial layers caused by apoptosis occurred with aging. The decreased cellular component in the submucosal connective tissue thus seems to be related to either gingival recession or to the apical migration of the JE with aging. These morphological changes with aging possibly occur in humans and may be related to the susceptibility to periodontal disease in aged individuals.

We have recently observed a diffuse slowing of brain waves using serial quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) examinations in interferon (IFN)-α-treated chronic hepatitis C patients. However, it remains unclear how this alteration could be assessed. We evaluated the correlation between the qEEG changes and three tests of mental status, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), in such patients. This is the first study to undertake a clinical evaluation of the adverse effects on brain function due to IFN. We undertook blind, prospective and serial qEEG examinations on 56 chronic hepatitis C patients at three independent hospitals. IFN-α was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 9 × 10⁶ IU daily for the first 4 weeks and then 3 times/week for the next 20 weeks. Serial EEGs were obtained before, at 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and after the IFN-α treatment. The absolute power values of each frequency band in each patient at different stages of treatment were recorded by qEEG. Each patient was assessed by the MMSE, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HSD), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HSA). We statistically evaluated the correlations between the changes in power values and alterations of scores on the mental status tests during IFN-α treatment. The decreased scores observed on the MMSE ranged from 2 to 5 points at both 2 and 4 weeks of IFN-α treatment. There were no significant differences in age distribution for each decreased score on the MMSE. As the alteration in MMSE score during IFN treatment increased, the alteration in absolute power values for the slow waves during IFN treatment increased significantly, while that for the alpha 2 and fast waves during treatment decreased significantly. However, the changes in the HDS and HSA revealed no significant correlations. The alteration of the qEEG was reversible after the treatment. MMSE scores represent one screening method for the clinical assessment of IFN-α-induced alterations of brain function.