Dragica Lj. Stojić

The Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in Dental Pulp Tissue of Healthy and Diabetic Patients

INTRODUCTION Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP 2) are growth factors (GFs) identified within the dentine-pulp complex and involved into the cellular events connected to the pulp-healing response. It is well established that the expression of these GFs is increased in different tissues in diabetes mellitus. Because there are no data concerning the levels of VEGF and BMP 2 in human dental pulp, the aim of present study was to quantify VEGF and BMP 2 levels in intact dental pulp and dental pulp that underwent reactive dentinogenesis in healthy and diabetic human subjects. METHODS The study was conducted on 28 healthy and 28 subjects with controlled diabetes type II who underwent pulp extirpation as a part of prosthetic rehabilitation. Pulp were collected from intact teeth and teeth treated by indirect pulp capping. The levels of VEGF and BMP 2 were determined in the pulp tissue lysates with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The levels of VEGF and BMP 2 were significantly higher in intact teeth pulp of diabetic than in healthy subjects. The concentrations of these GFs were significantly lowered in teeth with indirect pulp capping both in healthy and diabetic persons. Furthermore, VEGF and BMP 2 levels were in strong positive correlation. CONCLUSIONS Similar changes in the levels of VEGF and BMP 2 in intact and treated teeth of healthy and diabetic patients could be suggestive of associated roles of these GFs in responses of healthy and diabetic dental pulp.

Electrochemical H/D isotope separation efficiencies on Ti–Ni intermetallic phases and alloys in relation to their hydridic and catalytic properties

Abstract Single Ti and Ni metals, their intermetallic phases (stable and unstable) and alloys along the Ti–Ni phase diagram, have been investigated as cathode materials for separation of hydrogen isotopes (protium and deuterium, H/D) by water electrolysis from alkaline solutions. The H/D separation factors obtained were compared with the hydridic features and electrocatalytic properties for the hydrogen evolution (HER), enthalpies of intermetallic formation, and in common with similar behavior of transition elements along the Periodic Table, therefrom a close correlation amongst them resulted. The Ti–Ni intermetallic phases, as hypo-hyper-d-electronic combination of transition metals, obey typical volcano plots for all the mutually compared properties along their phase diagram. The TiNi3 alloy with an average d8-electronic configuration creates maximal electrocatalytic activity for both hydrogen evolution and H/D electrochemical separation processes, as well as maximal enthalpy of formation. At the same time the best hydridic intermetallic phases (Ti2Ni and TiNi) and alloys (between d4 and d5) exhibit lower values upon each specific curve. The similarity between those properties suggests that, alike along individual transition series, there exist the same electronic configuration causes which correlate them and determine the whole electrode kinetics.

Dental Pulp Blood Flow and Its Oscillations in Women with Different Estrogen Status

INTRODUCTION The skin microcirculation is significantly affected by serum estrogen levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen serum level changes associated with the menstrual cycle and postmenopause on dental pulp blood flow (PBF) as well as its dynamics. METHODS Young women at the menstrual phase (low serum estrogen levels) and in the mid-cycle phase of the menstrual cycle (high serum estrogen levels) and postmenopausal women were enrolled in the study. PBF and its oscillations were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and analyzed by using wavelet transform. Serum levels of estradiol-17β were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS PBFs of young women in the menstrual phase and postmenopausal women were mutually similar and significantly lower than those of young women in the mid-cycle period. With respect to the mid-cycle phase, relative amplitude and power were significantly increased in the interval 0.0095-0.02 Hz and decreased in the intervals 0.02-0.06 and 0.06-0.2 Hz in the menstrual phase. A significant decrease in 0.0095-0.02 Hz and increase in 0.02-0.06, 0.06-0.2, 0.2-0.6, and 0.6-1.6 Hz intervals were observed in postmenopause. CONCLUSIONS The study has shown that the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle and postmenopause have similar PBF decrease, but PBF oscillations are differently affected in the mid-cycle phase.

Impairment of acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation in isolated parotid artery of the alloxan-induced diabetic rabbit

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of type 1 diabetes mellitus (induced by a single intravenous injection of 100 mg kg(-1) of alloxan) on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation in isolated rabbit parotid gland feeding artery. Isometric force measurements and quantification of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA by real-time RT-PCR were made in parotid artery rings from diabetic and control rabbits. Acetylcholine induced concentration- and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation that was significantly decreased in parotid artery rings from diabetic rabbits. Schild analysis of the ACh vasorelaxant effect, in the presence of selective muscarinic receptor antagonists, revealed involvement of the M(3) receptor subtype in parotid artery rings from both control and diabetic rabbits, with no change in antagonist affinity constants. The inhibitory effects of indomethacin, a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, and of high potassium, an inhibitor of hyperpolarization, on ACh vasorelaxation were increased. The effect of N(G) -nitro-l-arginine, a non-selective inhibitor of NOS, was decreased in diabetes. S-methylisothiourea, a selective inhibitor of iNOS, significantly reduced ACh vasorelaxation only in parotid artery rings from diabetic rabbits. Also, up-regulation of iNOS mRNA expression was detected in parotid artery rings from diabetic rabbits. These results suggest that in parotid artery rings from diabetic rabbits, impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation to ACh appears to be caused by the loss of a nitric oxide-mediated component and increased iNOS expression, and is unlikely to be caused by a change at the M(3) receptor level.

Differentiation of alpha adrenoceptors mediating increase of oxygen consumption in rat submandibular salivary gland slices

Clonidine, noradrenaline and adrenaline (in the presence of propranolol), but not phenylephrine and methoxamine, stimulated an increase in the oxygen consumption of these slices that was blocked by yohimbine but not by prazosin. The stimulation was inhibited by ouabain and required the presence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. The calcium ionophore A 23187 stimulated oxygen consumption in the tissue slices and enhanced the respiratory effect of clonidine. Atropine and (D-Pro2, D-Trp7.9)-substance P failed to block the respiratory response to clonidine in concentrations that inhibited the respiratory effects of carbachol and substance P, respectively. Release of acetylcholine from the unstimulated gland slices was reduced by clonidine or Ca2+ omission. Yohimbine prevented the clonidine effect and stimulated acetylcholine resting release. Nifedipine did not affect either the release of acetylcholine or the clonidine-induced reduction of acetylcholine release but blocked the oxygen uptake due to clonidine or to release acetylcholine.

ACh- and VIP-induced vasorelaxation in rabbit facial artery after carotid artery occlusion

OBJECTIVES The influence of carotid artery occlusion (10, 30 and 60 min) on regulatory mechanisms implicated in the vasorelaxant responses of isolated glandular branch of rabbit facial artery to acetylcholine (ACh) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was examined. DESIGN In organ bath studies with arterial rings precontracted with phenylephrine (1 microM), before and after carotid artery occlusion, changes in isometric tension were recorded. RESULTS Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by ACh and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation by VIP were significantly reduced, started from 30 and 10 min of carotid occlusion, respectively. Inhibitory effect of indomethacin on ACh vasorelaxation was enhanced whilst effect of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Sodium nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation was not changed after carotid occlusion. Inhibition of VIP vasorelaxation by L-N(omega)-nitroarginine-2,4-L-diaminobutyric-amide, was reduced, started from 30 min of carotid occlusion. Forskolin enhanced VIP-induced vasorelaxation in control rings but this effect was reduced started from 30 min of occlusion. In the presence of VIP, vasorelaxant effect of ACh was increased; the increase was reduced, started from 10 min of carotid occlusion. CONCLUSIONS The present investigation provides evidence for the decreased responsiveness to both, ACh-endothelium-dependent and VIP-endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in rabbit facial artery after carotid occlusion. In addition, the data suggest that ischaemia alters contribution of endothelial nitric oxide (eNO) and prostaglandin to ACh, and vascular smooth muscles cAMP and neuronal NO to VIP vasorelaxant effects.

Clinical antibacterial effectiveness and biocompatibility of gaseous ozone after incomplete caries removal

ObjectivesTo evaluate local effect of gaseous ozone on bacteria in deep carious lesions after incomplete caries removal, using chlorhexidine as control, and to investigate its effect on pulp vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD).Materials and methodsAntibacterial effect was evaluated in 48 teeth with diagnosed deep carious lesion. After incomplete caries removal, teeth were randomly allocated into two groups regarding the cavity disinfectant used: ozone (open system) or 2% chlorhexidine. Dentin samples were analyzed for the presence of total bacteria and Lactobacillus spp. by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For evaluation of ozone effect on dental pulp, 38 intact permanent teeth indicated for pulp removal/tooth extraction were included. After cavity preparation, teeth were randomly allocated into two groups: ozone group and control group. VEGF/nNOS level and SOD activity in dental pulp were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric method, respectively.ResultsOzone application decreased number of total bacteria (p = 0.001) and Lactobacillus spp. (p < 0.001), similarly to chlorhexidine. The VEGF (p < 0.001) and nNOS (p = 0.012) levels in dental pulp after ozone application were higher, while SOD activity was lower (p = 0.001) comparing to those in control pulp.ConclusionsAntibacterial effect of ozone on residual bacteria after incomplete caries removal was similar to that of 2% chlorhexidine. Effect of ozone on pulp VEGF, nNOS, and SOD indicated its biocompatibility.Clinical relevanceOzone appears as effective and biocompatible cavity disinfectant in treatment of deep carious lesions by incomplete caries removal technique.