Rosilene Calazans Soares

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is not associated with p53 and bcl-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and type of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), as well as to identify a possible association between HPV infection and the expression pattern of p53 and bcl-2, and identify whether the oral HPV infection is a characteristic finding in our sample. METHODS We performed polymerase chain reaction and dot blot hybridization for the detection of HPV DNA in paraffin sections as well as immunohistochemical analysis of p53 and bcl-2 in our sample. RESULTS Twenty-six cases (29.5%) were positive for the virus by PCR. Dot blot hybridization identified HPV 18 in 21 (80.8%) cases, HPV 16 in one (3.8%) case and a combination of the two types in the four (15.4%) remaining cases. No other type of HPV was detected in the sample. Immunohistochemistry showed p53 in 26 (60.4%) cases and bcl-2 in 17 (39.5%) ones. No significant association was observed between the presence of HPV and the expression of the proteins studied (p=0.988 and p=0.748, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Although this investigation have detected only 29.5% of HR-HPV DNA in OSCC, it is possible that this virus contribute to the development of some case of this tumor. Furthermore, it seems that the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and bcl-2 and the presence of HPV DNA are independent events in OSCC.

Detection of HPV DNA and immunohistochemical expression of cell cycle proteins in oral carcinoma in a population of brazilian patients

This study investigated the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and viral types in 33 cases of oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC) and compared the immunohistochemical expression of the cell-cycle markers p21 and pRb between cases of the disease with and without HPV. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue and amplified by PCR for the detection of HPV DNA. Viral typing was performed by dot blot hybridization. Immunohistochemistry was performed by the streptavidin-biotin technique. HPV DNA was detected in 11 (33.33%) of the 33 cases. The prevalent viral type was HPV 18 (81.81%). A significant association was observed between the presence of HPV and immunohistochemical expression of pRb, but not between p21 expression and the presence of the virus. The low frequency of detection of HPV DNA in OSCC suggests a possible participation of the virus in the development and progression of only a subgroup of these tumors.

Elucidating the role of oxidative stress in the therapeutic effect of rutin on experimental acute pancreatitis

Abstract Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) may be severe and cause hospitalization or death, and the available treatment is insufficient to control pancreatic inflammation and pain. Rutin is a natural flavonoid with the potential to treat AP via anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant activities. Aim: This study investigated the beneficial effects of rutin on experimental AP induced by l-arginine administration in mice. Methods: The l-arginine-induced AP model was used in Swiss mice (n = 6–8). Mice submitted to AP induction were treated with rutin (37.5, 75, or 150 mg kg−1, p.o.) or vehicle (saline) after 24, 36, 48, and 60 h of AP induction. Abdominal hyperalgesia, serum enzymes, interleukin (IL)-6 levels, pancreatic inflammatory parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, and 3-nitrotyrosine contents were measured 72 h after induction. Results: Mice submitted to l-arginine injections developed abdominal hyperalgesia and increased serum amylase, lipase, C-reactive protein and IL-6 concentrations; and increased pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity, edema index, MDA, and 3-nitrotyrosine contents. A marked decrease in catalase activity was observed in the pancreas without alterations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared with the control group. Rutin treatment significantly impaired all the parameters that were altered by AP induction, but increased catalase and SOD activities in the pancreas compared with the vehicle-treated group. Conclusion: Rutin treatment exerted a protective effect on l-arginine-induced AP by mechanisms involving the reduction of oxidative stress, which suggests that this flavonoid has a potential for future approaches designed for the management of AP.

Improvement of wound tissue repair by chitosan films containing (-)-borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol, in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the wound‐healing activity of (–)‐borneol (BOR) incorporated in chitosan film on healing protocol in rodents. To assess the BOR wound‐healing potential, male Wistar rats were subjected to a full‐thickness excisional wound. The animals were divided into three groups: dressed with chitosan‐based film (QUIN); dressed with chitosan‐based film containing 0·5% BOR (QUIBO05); or dressed with chitosan‐based film containing 1% BOR (QUIBO1). Dressing the wound areas and histological analysis were performed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was assessed on the third and seventh days after surgical procedures. Wounds dressed with chitosan‐based film containing BOR reduced significantly the MPO activity (P < 0·001), showed significantly larger wound retraction rates (7 days, P < 0·05), improved the granulation reaction, and also provided better collagenisation density and arrangement during wound healing. It is suggested that BOR modulates the wound‐healing process and is a promising compound to be used in wound care. This product may be quite useful in improving wound healing and could be a new biotechnological product with healing properties and clinical application. Further ongoing studies will enable us to understand the precise mechanisms whereby BOR improves the wound‐healing process.

Immunohistochemical staining of Langerhans cells in HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases of oral squamous cells carcinoma

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been strongly implicated in development of some cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the immunological system somehow reacts against the presence of this virus. Among the cells involved in such mechanism of defense Langerhans cells (LC) stand out, which are responsible for processing and presenting antigens. Objectives The purposes of this study were to investigate the presence of HPV DNA and to evaluate the immunohistochemical reactivity for Langerhans cells between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OSCC. Twenty-seven cases of OSSC were evaluated. Material and Methods DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue samples and amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the detection of HPV DNA. Viral typing was performed by dot blot hybridization. Immunohistochemistry was performed by the Streptavidin-biotin technique. Results From the 27 cases, 9 (33.3%) were HPV-positive and 18 (66.0%) HPV-negative. HPV 18 was the most prevalent viral type (100% cases) and infection with HPV-16 (co-infection) was detected in only 1 case. In the OSCC specimens examined, immunoreactivity to S-100 antibody was detected in all cases, with a mean number of 49.48±30.89 Langerhans cells positive for immunostaining. The mean number of immunostained Langerhans cells was smaller in the HPV-positive cases (38 cells/case) than in the HPV-negative cases (42.5 cells/case), but this difference was not significant (p=0.38). Conclusions The low frequency of detection of HPV DNA in OSCC indicates a possible participation of the virus in the development and progression of only a subgroup of these tumors. There was no association between the immunohistochemical labeling for Langerhans cells (S-100+) and HPV infection of in OSSC. These findings suggest that the presence of HPV in such OSCC cases could not alter the immunological system, particularly the Langerhans cells.

Polymorphic Genetic Markers in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

1Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 2Department of Morphology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil 3Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil 4Department of Odontology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil *Corresponding author Sydney Correia Leão, MD Medical Pathology Assistant Department of Pathology Federal University of São Paulo São Paulo, SP, Brazil E-mail: sydneyleao@hotmail.com

Evaluation of polymorphic genetic markers in patients with chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population

Introduction: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease caused by the interaction among dental plaque and host immune responses. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) play an important role in the periodontium destruction. Some authors have studied polymorphisms in these genes but the results were controversial. Objective: To evaluate the association of polymorphisms in the promoter region of genes IL-6 (-174) and MMP-1 (-1607) with CP in a Brazilian population. Material and methods: A case-control study of 64 cases of CP patients and 25 healthy subjects was performed. Genomic DNA was isolated from buccal mucosa and two single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-6 (-174 G/C) and MMP-1 (-1607 1G/2G) genes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between patients with CP and control group, nor to genotypes (p = 0.734) or to alleles (p = 0.763), with respect to IL-6 polymorphism. For MMP-1 polymorphism, also we found no statistically significant difference in genotype (p = 0.607) and allele (p = 0.237) distribution between the different groups. Conclusion: The polymorphisms of the studied genes were not associated with susceptibility to CP in this Brazilian population.