Daniela Miricescu

Salivary biomarkers: Relationship between oxidative stress and alveolar bone loss in chronic periodontitis

Abstract Objectives. Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of many systemic and oral diseases such as periodontal disease. The main aim of this study is to explore a possible association between salivary markers of OS and alveolar bone loss. Materials and methods. The study included 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and 20 controls. Salivary OS biomarkers 8-hidroxy-desoxguanosine (8-HOdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), uric acid, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were evaluated. Bone loss markers such as C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX I), matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8), osteocalcin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25- OH D) were detected in this study. The methods included general biochemical tests and ELISA. Results. Salivary 8-OHdG, MDA levels were significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis group compared with controls (p < 0.05). Salivary activities for uric acid, TAC and GPx were significantly decreased in patients with chronic periodontitis vs controls (p < 0.05). Salivary levels for CTX I, MMP-8, 25-OH D and Osteocalcin were significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis group compared to the controls (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between salivary levels of MDA and CTX I. Significant negative correlations between uric acid and CTX I and between MMP-8 and uric acid have been found. Significant positive correlations were observed between CTX I, MMP-8, 25-OH D, osteocalcin and clinical parameters of periodontal disease. Conclusions. Important oxidative stress associated with alveolar bone loss biomarkers can be detected in saliva of patients with periodontal disease.

Hydrogen Sulfide, Oxidative Stress and Periodontal Diseases: A Concise Review

In the past years, biomedical research has recognized hydrogen sulfide (H2S) not only as an environmental pollutant but also, along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, as an important biological gastransmitter with paramount roles in health and disease. Current research focuses on several aspects of H2S biology such as the biochemical pathways that generate the compound and its functions in human pathology or drug synthesis that block or stimulate its biosynthesis. The present work addresses the knowledge we have to date on H2S production and its biological roles in the general human environment with a special focus on the oral cavity and its involvement in the initiation and development of periodontal diseases.

Current Uses of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) in the Dental Field: A Comprehensive Review

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) or PLGA is a biodegradable polymer used in a wide range of medical applications. Specifically PLGA materials are also developed for the dental field in the form of scaffolds, films, membranes, microparticles, or nanoparticles. PLGA membranes have been studied with promising results, either alone or combined with other materials in bone healing procedures. PLGA scaffolds have been used to regenerate damaged tissues together with stem cell-based therapy. There is solid evidence that the development of PLGA microparticles and nanoparticles may be beneficial to a wide range of dental fields such as endodontic therapy, dental caries, dental surgery, dental implants, or periodontology. The aim of the current paper was to review the recent advances in PLGA materials and their potential uses in the dental field.

Organic Nanomaterials and Their Applications in the Treatment of Oral Diseases

There is a growing interest in the development of organic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. An increasing number of studies focus on the uses of nanomaterials with organic structure for regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin or dental tissues. Solid evidence has been found for several advantages of using natural or synthetic organic nanostructures in a wide variety of dental fields, from implantology, endodontics, and periodontics, to regenerative dentistry and wound healing. Most of the research is concentrated on nanoforms of chitosan, silk fibroin, synthetic polymers or their combinations, but new nanocomposites are constantly being developed. The present work reviews in detail current research on organic nanoparticles and their potential applications in the dental field.

Oxidative stress and volatile organic compounds: interplay in pulmonary, cardio-vascular, digestive tract systems and cancer

Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) can be defined as an imbalance between antioxidant systems and various pro-oxidants. This loss of balance is closely associated with initiation and development of a wide range of systemic or organ specific diseases. Exhaled breath of healthy humans contains a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from cellular metabolism, released by microorganisms or taken up from the environment. Qualitative or quantitative changes in their composition are associated with diseases and various pathological conditions, also characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl anion, peroxinitrite, etc. Several volatile organic compounds such as ethane and pentane are direct end-products of the reaction of ROS with various biological compounds (e.g., lipid peroxidation, DNA or protein damage). Being able to accurately identify ROS-generated VOCs could be of particular importance in devising sensitive tests that can diagnose and follow-up oxidative stress-related diseases. This review describes current knowledge on the associations between oxidative stress and free radicals and the release of several marker volatile organic compounds in a number of diseases. A special focus will be placed on such VOCs in the cardiovascular pathologies, pulmonary diseases and gastro-intestinal tract affections. Graphical Abstract

Salivary antioxidant biomarkers in non-ferrous metals mine workers--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relationships between occupational exposure to mine dust, salivary antioxidants and their possible implications in the pathogenicity of different exposure diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 30 individuals with long-term occupational exposure to non-ferrous metal mine conditions and a control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. Salivary uric acid, gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), albumin and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in salivary GGT (P = 0.004), TAC (P < 0.001) and uric acid (P = 0.02) were noted between the two groups. A strong positive correlation between TAC and uric acid was recorded in controls (r = 0.76, P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Saliva may provide an important line of antioxidant defense in humans exposed to oxidant threats. These components may also serve as convenient biomarkers to monitor oxidant exposure.

Salivary oxidative stress, inflammation and invasivity parameters: future candidates as oral cancer biomarkers in saliva

Introduction Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the sixth most common malignancies worldwide. Saliva qualifies as one of the most suitable diagnostic fluids due to the non-invasivity nature, simple handling procedures, easy collection and storage. The aim of the present study is to assess the presence in saliva of several parameters, possible future candidats as oral cancer biomarkers, such as: oxidative stress - total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and uric acid (most important saliva antioxidant), inflammation - IL-6, collagen matrix degradation - Metallo-proteinase-9 (MMP-9). Material and methods Our study included: - 30 patients, diagnosed with oral SCC - 14 controls (healthy volunteers). Uric acid was analysed using an automatic biochemistry analyser. ELISA assay was used for quantitative detection of MMP-9. IL-6 detection used a immuno-fluorescence kit from Siemens – Germany. For TAC we used the TEAC method (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). Results Both uric acid and total antioxidant capacity showed decreased levels in the saliva of oral cancer patients. IL-6 and MMP-9 showed increased levels in the saliva of oral patients compared to the control group. Conclusion We can conclude that salivary diagnosis has the potential of becoming a powerful tool in detecting and monitoring oral cancer patients.

Sea Buckthorn Pulp Oil Treatment Prevents Atherosclerosis in Obese Children

This study aimed to determine the effects of sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment (800 mg/day for 60 days) on inflammatory, systemic oxidative/reductive status and endothelial function, in obese children. A total of 41 obese children (10–18 years old) and thirty controls were enrolled. The measurements were done before and after pulp oil administration. Ultrasounds were used for flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements and colorimetric and ELISA methods for biochemical parameters. In the obese children versus the lean ones, increased oxidative stress (high malonyldialdehyde, high respiratory burst (RB)), low antioxidant defence (low blood glutathione, low TEAC), inflammatory status (high CRP, ceruloplasmin), adipocytokines disturbance (low adiponectin and high leptin), insulin resistance (high fasting C peptide), low FMD (), and high IMT () were measured. Treatment reduced total cholesterol (), triglycerides (), RB (), leptin (), ceruloplasmin (), fasting C peptide (), blood pressure (), and IMT (). In conclusion, sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment prevents atherosclerosis by lowering triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and blood pressure (strong effects) and by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance (weak effects).