Danica Vidović Juras

New developments and opportunities in oral mucosal drug delivery for local and systemic disease

The oral mucosas accessibility, excellent blood supply, by-pass of hepatic first-pass metabolism, rapid repair and permeability profile make it an attractive site for local and systemic drug delivery. Technological advances in mucoadhesives, sustained drug release, permeability enhancers and drug delivery vectors are increasing the efficient delivery of drugs to treat oral and systemic diseases. When treating oral diseases, these advances result in enhanced therapeutic efficacy, reduced drug wastage and the prospect of using biological agents such as genes, peptides and antibodies. These technologies are also increasing the repertoire of drugs that can be delivered across the oral mucosa to treat systemic diseases. Trans-mucosal delivery is now a favoured route for non-parenteral administration of emergency drugs and agents where a rapid onset of action is required. Furthermore, advances in drug delivery technology are bringing forward the likelihood of transmucosal systemic delivery of biological agents.

Determination of leucocyte subsets in human saliva by flow cytometry

OBJECTIVE Validation of a flow cytometry-based method for the determination of major leucocyte subsets [polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, monocytes, T cells and B cells] in paraffin-stimulated whole human saliva. DESIGN Salivary leucocyte subsets were determined by four-colour flow cytometry in eight healthy volunteers on three consecutive days. Comparison of leucocyte subsets between saliva and whole blood was also performed. Day-to-day variability and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were determined as indicators of assay reliability. RESULTS It was observed that PMN cells were the predominant cells in the saliva. Percentages of mononuclear cells ranged from 0.3% to 7.2%, with monocytes composing the highest percentage, followed by T cells and B cells. Regardless of high intra-individual day-to-day variability, proportions of leucocyte subsets did not significantly change over three measurements, and high ICCs were calculated for T cells and monocytes. CONCLUSION Flow cytometry can be used as non-invasive and reproducible method for the analysis of leucocyte subsets in human saliva. Further investigation of pathological and other conditions that have the potential to influence salivary leucocyte subsets is warranted.

Applications of Low Level Laser Therapy

Principles of biostimulation via therapeutic lasers was introduced more than 20 years ago when they were used in dermatology for wound healing. According to Genovese, biological effects caused by low level lasers are due to low energy deposited into tissues where deposited energy results in primary, secondary and general therapeutic effects. This results in the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well as in improvement in healing. LLLT acts according to the Arndt-Schulz principle which states that if the stimulus is too weak, no effect is seen. Increased stimulation and optimal dose leads to the optimal effect ; while, further dose increase leads to a decreased effect. Additional stimulation leads to the inhibition of stimulation. It seems that LLLT act analgesically since they improve endorphin release and therefore inhibit nociceptive signals and control pain mediators. They can also act analgesically by inhibiting pain signals which partially leads to the transient varicosities along the neurons which decrease impulse transmission.

Use of low level laser therapy in the treatment of persistent idiopathic orofacial pain and traumatic trigeminal neuropathy- a pilot study

Background: Nerve recovery in the orofacial region is not completely satisfactory. Nowadays, low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been recognized and accepted as a possible therapeutic option in various states of nerve damage throughout the body. LLLT is noninvasive and there are only few contraindications for its use. Therefore, the effect of LLLT on patients with idiopathic orofacial pain and traumatic trigeminal neuropathy was assesed. Methods: Twenty one patient was enrolled in this pilot study, there were 10 patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) and 11 patients with traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (TTN). Each patient was treated once daily in 10 sessions using a GaAlAs laser (830 nm, 3 W, 50 ms, 50 Hz which is equivalent to an energy density of 1.5 J/cm2). The outcome ot LLLT was evaluated by means of a patient survey on the relief of symptoms (0=no imporvement, 1=partial improvement, 2=complete improvement). Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics and when needed by use of chi-square test. Values lower than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Complete improvement of symptoms was seen in 70% of the patients with PIFP and in 36.4% of patients with TTN. LLLT showed no improvement in 10% with PIFP and 45.4% of patients with TTN. Conclusion: It might be concluded that LLLT is beneficial in patients with persistent idiopathic orofacial pain and traumatic trigeminal neuropathy. Keywords: Low level laser therapy, idiopathic orofacial pain, persistent idiopathic facial pain, traumatic trigeminal neuropathy

Oral Adverse Reactions Caused by Over-the-Counter Oral Agents

Over-the-counter products rarely cause unwanted reactions in the oral cavity. Oral reactions to these agents are not specific and might present with various clinical oral findings. Detailed medical history is a key to the proper diagnosis of these lesions and fortunately other diagnostic procedures are rarely needed. Lesions are usually managed with elimination of the offending agent and with topical steroids. In more severe cases systemic steroids should be applied.

Nekroza gingive zbog neodgovarajuće zubne proteze

We present a case of an 80-year-old male who was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia due to gingival ulcer which was present for eight days. Clinical examination has revealed exposed bone on the toothless alveolar ridge in the lower molar region on the right side of 0.8 cm in diameter. Otherwise, the patient was taking doxazosin due to urinary problems and ipatropium bromide due to respiratory problems. The patient wore a 6-year-old partial lower denture. He was initially treated with periodontal bandage (Resopack, HagenWerken, Germany) for the first three days and was instructed not to wear the denture; however, no benefit could be seen. Therefore, we added a local corticosteroid (betamethasone) and am oral antiseptic (chlorhexidine digluconate) applied three times a day. After 3 weeks the lesion healed. A list of possible causative factors regarding gingival ulcers is included.

Gingival Necrosis Caused by an Ill-Fitting Denture

We present a case of an 80-year-old male who was referred to the Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia due to gingival ulcer which was present for eight days. Clinical examination has revealed exposed bone on the toothless alveolar ridge in the lower molar region on the right side of 0.8 cm in diameter. Otherwise, the patient was taking doxazosin due to urinary problems and ipatropium bromide due to respiratory problems. The patient wore a 6-year-old partial lower denture. He was initially treated with periodontal bandage (Resopack, HagenWerken, Germany) for the first three days and was instructed not to wear the denture; however, no benefit could be seen. Therefore, we added a local corticosteroid (betamethasone) and am oral antiseptic (chlorhexidine digluconate) applied three times a day. After 3 weeks the lesion healed. A list of possible causative factors regarding gingival ulcers is included.