Karuza Maria Alves Pereira

A lectin from the green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides reduces mechanical hyper-nociception and inflammation in the rat temporomandibular joint during zymosan-induced arthritis

Seaweed lectins have been widely investigated as anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents. This study analyzed the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory responses of a lectin from the green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides (CcL) on zymosan-induced arthritis of the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Rats received i.v. CcL 30 min prior to injection of zymosan (2mg/art.) or 0.9% saline into the left TMJ. Mechanical hyper-nociception was measured by the electronic von Frey method at baseline and 4h after zymosan injection. Animals were euthanized 6h after zymosan injection and the synovial fluid was collected for leukocyte counting and myeloperoxidase activity assessment. Other animals were treated with ZnPP-IX (3mg/kg; s.c.), a specific heme oxygenase-1 pathway inhibitor, and naloxone (10 μg/art.), a nonselective opioid receptor antagonist. TMJ tissues were excised to perform histopathological and immunohistochemistry analyses. CcL (0.1, 1 or 10mg/kg) significantly reduced zymosan-induced hyper-nociception (81, 83 and 89.5%, respectively) and inhibited the leukocyte influx (77.3, 80.7 and 98.5%, respectively) compared with the zymosan-only group, as confirmed by myeloperoxidase activity; however, treatment with naloxone or ZnPP-IX did not revert the effects of CcL (10mg/kg), suggesting that the naloxone-sensitive opioid and heme oxygenase-1 pathways are not involved. CcL also reduced the leukocyte influx and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the TMJ, based on histopathological and immunohistochemistry analyses, respectively. Therefore, CcL reduces TMJ hyper-nociception and inflammation with a mechanism that is partially dependent on TNF-α and IL-1β inhibition. CcL reveals a potentially valuable alternative tool for future studies of TMJ disorders.

Oxygen metabolism in oral cancer: HIF and GLUTs (Review)

Oral cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a poor prognosis. This has encouraged additional studies into factors that may affect the development of this disease. The biological behavior of malignant neoplasms is complex. Studies have investigated the energy metabolism of tumor cells, in an endeavor to elucidate the tumor biology. The identification of molecular signatures and mechanisms, in order to understand tumor progression, may facilitate the identification of novel predictive and prognostic markers. Pathways that influence tumor progression, such as those involving hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins, have been the targets of recent studies.

Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and lower lip

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of MMP-1, -2, -7, -9 and -26 in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) according to tumour site and histological grade of malignancy. STUDY DESIGN Fifteen cases of SCC of the lower lip and 15 cases of tongue SCC were selected and divided into low grade malignancy (n = 17) and high grade malignancy (n = 13). RESULTS Higher immunohistochemical expression of MMPs by neoplastic cells was observed in tongue SCCs, with a statistically significant difference for MMP-9 (P < 0.05). High-grade SCCs showed a higher expression of MMPs, except for MMP-2, with a statistically significant difference for MMP-7 (P < 0.05) and MMP-26 (P < 0.05). In addition, a direct association was observed between morphological scores of malignancy and MMP immunoreactivity, with the association being significant for MMP-7 and MMP-26. CONCLUSION The present results demonstrate the important role of MMPs in the development of SCCs of the lower lip and tongue.

Tephrosia toxicaria Pers. reduces temporomandibular joint inflammatory hypernociception: The involvement of the HO‐1 pathway

We investigated both the efficacy and the sub‐chronic toxicity of Tephrosia toxicaria Pers. in the zymosan‐induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory hypernociception in rats evaluating the possible role of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1).

Mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory action of a polysulfated fraction from Gracilaria cornea in rats.

The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the sulfated polysaccharidic fraction obtained from red marine alga Gracilaria cornea (Gc-FI) were investigated using a paw edema model induced in rats by different inflammatory agents (carrageenan, dextran, serotonin, bradykinin, compound 48/80 or L-arginine). Gc-FI at the doses of 3, 9 or 27 mg/kg, subcutaneously - s.c., significantly inhibited rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran, as confirmed by myeloperoxidase and Evans’ blue assessments, respectively. Gc-FI (9 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited rat paw edema induced by histamine, compound 48/80 and L-arginine. Additionally, Gc-FI (9 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited Cg-induced edema in animals with intact mast cells but did not inhibit that with degranulated mast cells by compound 48/80, revealing a protective role on mast cell membranes. Gc-FI down-regulated the IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA and protein levels compared with those of the carrageenan group, based on qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses. After inhibition with ZnPP IX, a specific heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor, the anti-inflammatory effect of Gc-FI was not observed in Cg-induced paw edema, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effect of Gc-FI is, in part, dependent on the integrity of the HO-1 pathway. Gc-FI can target a combination of multiple points involved in inflammatory phenomena.

BRAFV600E mutation in the diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma

BACKGROUND Unicystic ameloblastoma, an odontogenic neoplasm, presents clinical and radiographic similarities with dentigerous and radicular cysts, non-neoplastic lesions. It is not always possible to reach a final diagnosis with the incisional biopsy, leading to inappropriate treatment. The BRAFV600E activating mutation has been reported in a high proportion of ameloblastomas. The purpose of the study was to assess the utility of the detection of the BRAFV600E mutation in the differential diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma with dentigerous and radicular cysts. METHODS Twenty-six archival samples were included, comprising eight unicystic ameloblastomas (UAs), nine dentigerous and nine radicular cysts. The mutation was assessed in all samples by anti-BRAFV600E (clone VE1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by TaqMan mutation detection qPCR assay. Sanger sequencing was further carried out when samples showed conflicting results in the IHC and qPCR. RESULTS Although all UAs (8/8) showed positive uniform BRAFV600E staining along the epithelial lining length, the mutation was not confirmed by qPCR and Sanger sequencing in three samples. Positive staining for the BRAFV600E protein was observed in one dentigerous cyst, but it was not confirmed by the molecular methods. Furthermore, 2/9 dentigerous cysts and 2/9 radicular cysts showed non-specific immunostaining of the epithelium or plasma cells. None of the dentigerous or radicular cysts cases presented the BRAFV600E mutation in the qPCR assay. CONCLUSIONS The BRAFV600E antibody (clone VE1) IHC may show non-specific staining, but molecular assays may be useful for the diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma, in conjunction with clinical, radiological and histopathological features.

Chondrolipoma of the posterior tongue.

Chondrolipomas are rare benign mesenchymal tumors characterized by the proliferation of mature adipocytes associated with variable amounts of mature cartilaginous tissue. To our knowledge, only 11 cases of chondrolipoma affecting the oral cavity have been published in the English-language literature (PubMed database), and no cases of this condition up to 20 years of complaint duration have been reported. Thus, this article describes an interesting and atypical case of a 68-year-old woman who presented an asymptomatic slow-growing swelling on the posterior dorsal surface of the tongue. In addition, we reviewed the international literature from 1976 to 2009.

A clinicoradiographic and pathological study of pericoronal follicles associated to mandibular third molars.

BackgroundThird molar surgery is considered the most frequently performed procedure in oral surgery. Although there are some indications for the removal of this tooth, such as the possibility of cystic degeneration or a tumor of the adjacent pericoronal follicle, there is no consensus in the literature about their prophylactic removal. ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to investigate the pathological alterations related to mandibular third molar dental follicles and to perform a narrative literature review. MethodsA prospective clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic study was conducted with pericoronal follicles of third molars. After histopathologic evaluation and establishment of diagnosis, 2 groups were defined: G1 (pericoronal tissues with pathological alterations based on histopathologic analysis) and G2 (pericoronal tissues without pathological alterations based on histopathologic analysis). In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed. ResultsOne hundred thirteen specimens were analyzed. G1 was the most prevalent (P = 0.0004). Lesions were found in patients between 20 and 25 years of age (P < 0.004). The most prevalent histological diagnosis was the paradental cyst (47.7%; P < 0.0001). The narrative literature review showed that the majority of cases were mainly dentigerous cysts (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe mandibular third molars in young adults showed a direct relationship with age and a statistical propensity for the development of these cystic alterations, notably paradental cysts.

Local hemostatic measures in anticoagulated patients undergoing oral surgery: a systematized literature review

PURPOSE To conduct a systematized review of the literature about the main local hemostatic measures to control postoperative bleeding in anticoagulated patients. METHODS A systematized review of literature was performed in the electronic database Medline (PubMed) without restriction of the publication date. The eligibility criteria were studies involving maintenance of the anticoagulant therapy, prospective studies, retrospective studies, randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical studies, comparative studies, multicentric studies or case-control studies. Studies discontinuing anticoagulant therapy, case reports, literature reviews, in vitro studies, animal experiments and articles written in language not compatible with the search strategy adopted in this work were excluded. RESULTS Twenty-four articles that met the adopted eligibility criteria were selected, enrolling 3891 subjects under anticoagulant therapy. A total of 171 cases of hemorrhage was observed. Tranexamic acid was the main local hemostatic measure used to controlling of postoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION The local hemostatic measures proved to be effective according to previously published studies. Nevertheless, further clinical studies should be conducted to confirm this effectiveness.

Simultaneous occurrence of a rare lymphoepithelial cyst and squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity

1 MSc in Dentistry, Assistant Professor of Dentistry Universidade Federal do Ceara. 2 MSc in Oral Pathology UFRN; PhD student Graduate Program in Dentistry UFRN, Assistant Professor of Dentistry UFC Campus Sobral. 3 Dentistry student UFC Campus Sobral, 4th Year Student of Dentistry UFC Campus Sobral. 4 PhD in Oral Pathology UFRN, Professor of Dentistry UNIFOR. 5 MSc in CTBMF UFPE; PhD student Graduate Program in Dentistry UFC Campus Sobral. Universidade Federal do Ceara Campus Sobral. Send correspondence to: Fabio Wildson Gurgel Costa Coordenacao do Curso de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Ceara Campus Sobral Av. Comte. Maurocelio Rocha Pontes s/no Derby 62041-040 Sobral CE Brazil. Tel./Fax: (0xx88) 3613-2603 E-mail: fwildson@yahoo.com.br Paper submitted to the BJORL-SGP (Publishing Management System – Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology) on February 21, 2010; and accepted on April 12, 2010. cod. 6937 cAsE REPORT Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(2):270. BJORL