S. C. Anand

Salivary Stress Markers, Stress, and Periodontitis: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND Some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies attempted to link periodontitis with stress. To our knowledge, only one small study was published on the mechanism by which stress may influence periodontal diseases, suggesting behavioral and physiologic mechanisms and investigating the role of inflammation as a potential mediator. The present study is planned to explore the associations among periodontal disease, psychologic factors, and salivary markers of stress, psychoneuroimmunologic variables, and health behaviors. METHODS One hundred periodontitis patients were selected, and participants provided information on general health, chronic stress, and demographics. Stress markers (choromogranin A, cortisol, α-amylase, and β-endorphin) were measured from saliva. A dentist assessed the presence of dental plaque on lingual and buccal surfaces, the gingival index, and the number of remaining teeth with periodontal disease. RESULTS Stress and salivary stress markers were significantly correlated with clinical parameters of periodontal disease (ranging from 0.19 to 0.59; P <0.001). Neglecting to brush teeth during stress was associated with missing teeth. After adjusting for stress variables, salivary cortisol and β-endorphin were significantly associated with tooth loss and periodontal clinical parameters (P <0.001; R(2) = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that stress might be associated with periodontal disease through physiologic and behavioral mechanisms. In making diagnoses of psychiatric patients, the association between salivary stress markers and periodontal disease needs to be included. Further exploration of relationships between periodontitis and stress is warranted.

Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Salivary and Serum Oxidants, Antioxidants, and Periodontal Status

BACKGROUND Microgravity is associated with an increase in peroxidative damage. The effect is more pronounced after long-duration space flights and can even last for several weeks after landing. The objective of the study is to determine the influence of simulated microgravity on the periodontal status and salivary and serum oxidant/antioxidant status of the body in simulated microgravity (-6° head-down-tilt [HDT) bed rest). METHODS Twenty healthy male volunteers were studied before and after 60 days of simulated microgravity (-6° HDT bed rest). We measured salivary and serum oxidative markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-oxo-7,8 dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and vitamins C and E, and clinical periodontal parameters (probing depth [PD] and clinical attachment level [CAL]). RESULTS Serum and salivary vitamin C and E concentrations were significantly decreased, whereas MDA and 8-OHdG levels were significantly increased after 60 days of simulated microgravity. Serum and salivary markers showed a strong and significant correlation. CAL and PD were higher but not statistically significant in simulated microgravity. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that oxidative stress in the microgravity environment was increased but did not significantly influence periodontal parameters after 2 months. Also, this study indicates the possibility that the findings may have a broader clinical relevance to patients on bed rest or who are physically inactive. Studies on larger patient samples and follow-up for a longer time are required to verify the relationship between antioxidant status in the space microgravity condition and periodontal health.

Possible relationship between periodontitis and dementia in a North Indian old age population: a pilot study

BACKGROUND Periodontitis and cognitive impairment or dementia is relatively common among older adults. Few cross-sectional studies and some longitudinal studies have attempted to link oral health with dementia diagnosis or disease pathology but none has investigated the role of inflammation as a potential mediator. OBJECTIVES This study was planned to establish a relation of inflammatory mediators between periodontitis and dementia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-five patients with severe periodontitis (range 60-69 years), 20 with dementia (10:10 M:F; range 59-69) and 32 healthy controls (range 58-69 years) were selected. The socio-demographic characteristics, physical health, oral health, education status, and medical status were measured. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, total IGF-I, free IGF-I and TNF-alpha and GCF MMP-8 &MMP-9 were calculated. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the three groups in the level of education, age, occupation, BMI, CAD, CHF and diabetes except dentate status. After adjusting for age, significant differences were found between patients and controls with respect to gingival inflammation, dental plaque, bleeding on probing and probing pocket depth. Total counts of WBCs, neutrophils, thrombocytic counts and serum CRP, MMP-8, MMP-9, TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in dementia and periodontitis patients in contrast to healthy controls, while, RBC counts, total IGF-I and Hb levels were lowered in dementia and periodontitis patients in comparison to healthy controls, although higher in dementia as compared to periodontitis patients. CONCLUSIONS This study data suggest a relationship of inflammatory mediators between periodontitis and dementia. Further exploration of this is warranted.

Salivary vitamins E and C in oral cancer.

Abstract Lipid peroxidation may be involved in cancer and essential nutrients that can scavenge free radicals, such as vitamins E and C, operate in concert. Levels of antioxidant vitamins E and C were estimated in 50 patients with oral cancer and 24 healthy persons served as control. Significantly lower levels of vitamins E and C were observed in oral cancer patients as compared to controls (P < 0.011). Antioxidant nutrients may be utilized to a greater extent in oral cancer patients to counteract free radical-mediated cell disturbances, resulting in a reduction in salivary antioxidant levels.

Accuracy of BR Regression Equation for Impacted Teeth in Age Estimation in Haryana Population of India

Abstract:  Dental cementum is a vital tissue that demonstrates continuous apposition throughout the life of a tooth. Positive correlation has been reported between the coronal displacement of cementum and age in impacted teeth and BR regression equation has been proposed. The present study is an attempt to calculate accuracy of BR regression equation in Haryana population of India. The study was conducted on 20 impacted mandibular third molars extracted from healthy patients, aged between 22 and 32 years. The bucco‐lingual ground sections were prepared and the distance between the edges of enamel and cementum were measured with micrometer attached to a light microscope and BR regression equation was applied for age estimation. Although the estimated age with BR regression equation was less than chronological age it was not statistically significant. Hence, the BR regression equation can be used in medicolegal as well as in forensic odontology for age estimation.

Comparative anti-microbial activity of 15% EDTA and 15% dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)

Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) chelating agent is used to remove the smear layer more effectively than EDTA. This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity of DMSA and was compared with EDTA. DMSA did not show any antimicrobial activity.

The effect of smoking on gingival crevicular fluid levels of myeloperoxidase.

OBJECTIVES To compare the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) myeloperoxidase (GM) levels in smokers and non-smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised 45 subjects: (a) 12 smokers with periodontitis, (b) 10 non-smokers with periodontitis, (c) 11 smokers with healthy periodontium, and (d) 12 non-smokers with healthy periodontium were recruited for the study and their GM levels were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION GM levels were significantly higher in smokers with periodontitis compared with others. Hence, more incidence of mutagenesis and cytotoxicity were noted at sites of inflammation mediated by GM in smokers compared with non-smokers.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and demineralization inhibitory effects of fluoritop-SR® and bifluorid-12® - An invitro study

This study was conducted to compare the caries preventive efficacy of Fluoritop-SR® , the first fluoride varnish manufactured in India, with Bifluorid-12® . The demineralization inhibitory and antimicrobial effects were studied. In the present study, the demineralization inhibitory effect of the bifluorid-12® (available throughout the world) was higher and comparable to the Fluoritop-SR®.