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Biomedical subjects

U Skaleric

Publications and source records attributed to U Skaleric.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Changes in TGF-beta 1 levels in gingiva, crevicular fluid and serum associated with periodontal inflammation in humans and dogs.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) represents a family of polypeptide growth factors, involved in embryogenesis, inflammation, regulation of immune responses and wound healing. To determine whether TGF-beta contributes to the evolution of periodontal disease, we assayed TGF-beta levels in gingiva and crevicular fluid of patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. In parallel, TGF-beta was quantified in gingival fluid and serum of beagles with experimentally-induced periodontitis. Disease was monitored by several clinical parameters including Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, and epithelial attachment loss. Gingival tissues were obtained from 9 patients at the time of periodontal surgery, and gingival fluid samples were collected from an additional population of 10 periodontal patients. In 14 beagles, experimental periodontitis was induced and gingival fluids collected 6 months later. Fluid was collected by paper strips and volume measured by Periotron. Additionally, sera was collected before and 9 months after the ligature-induced periodontitis in 7 beagles. The levels of TGF-beta 1 were measured by ELISA. In the patients, a significantly higher concentration of TGF-beta 1 was observed both in the gingival tissues and fluid samples obtained from the sites with deeper periodontal pockets than in the less involved sites. In beagles, TGF-beta 1 levels measured in gingival fluid were elevated in moderate disease, declining in fluid samples obtained from the pockets during more advanced experimental periodontitis. Furthermore, with the progression of experimental periodontitis, a decrease in TGF-beta 1 occurred in the sera of the beagle dogs. These data suggest that TGF-beta 1 may play a rôle in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of periodontal disease, and that its actions can be further explored in an animal model.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Role of transforming growth factor beta in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammation.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a cytokine identified in acute and chronic inflammatory sites, mediates leukocyte recruitment and activation essential to the development of such lesions. Released by platelets upon aggregation and by leukocytes stimulated with bacterial products or inflammatory mediators, TGF-beta has potent chemotactic activity for blood neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. By augmenting integrin expression, TGF-beta facilitates leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall and extracellular matrix at the site of inflammation. Once within the inflammatory site, mononuclear cells are stimulated by TGF-beta to release cytokines important in the network of molecules regulating the host response to microorganisms and immunologic challenge. Thus, bacteria and their products, in addition to directly recruiting and activating leukocytes at sites of infection, indirectly influence these events through the induction of cytokines such as TGF-beta. By antagonizing the activity of TGF-beta with neutralizing antibodies, a causal relationship between this cytokine, inflammation, and pathogenesis has been demonstrated. Administration of anti-TGF-beta to sites of chronic destructive inflammation not only blocked leukocyte recruitment and activation, but also inhibited the subsequent destruction of bone and cartilage characteristics of such lesions.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1993

Cysteine proteinases and inhibitors in inflammation: their role in periodontal disease.

Cellular and molecular events during the development of inflammatory disease are accompanied by the release of host lysosomal cysteine proteinases (CPs) affecting not only degradation of matrix proteins but possibly also antigen processing and chemotaxis of neutrophils. Activity measurements of Cat B and Cat L could not be used as an accurate indicator of disease activity in individual patients, although average values were higher in patients with more advanced periodontal inflammation. In contrast, simultaneous decrease of cystatin C and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) in inflamed gingiva and gingival fluid, respectively, might be useful diagnostic/prognostic factors. While the total and the free form of alpha 2-M in gingival fluid decreased with the progression of the disease, the complexed alpha 2-M form was hardly detectable. This indicates an increased consumption of this inhibitor by various proteinases and clearance of protease: alpha 2-M complexes by macrophages. Elevated serum levels of alpha 2-M were found in patients with more pronounced disease, suggesting a systemic host response. In addition, high levels of stefin A and moderate levels of kininogen were observed in gingival tissue homogenates. Stefin A was also found to play a role in the inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis. In addition, other proteinases which are released at inflammatory sites from neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and/or bacteria may degrade the cystatins, thereby further increasing CP activities. Increased CP activity may inactivate serine protease inhibitors, leading to the so-called "proteolytic burst."

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibitors of reactive oxygen intermediates suppress bacterial cell wall-induced arthritis.

Peritoneal and peripheral blood monocyte-macrophages from inbred Lewis (LEW) rats generate higher levels of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in response to group A streptococcal cell walls (SCW) than do similar populations of cells from histocompatible Fischer rats. This differential sensitivity of the phagocytes to SCW is reflected in differences in susceptibility of the two strains to the development of arthritis in response to SCW. After systemic administration of the SCW, LEW rats develop acute and chronic erosive polyarthritis, whereas the Fischer rats are arthritis resistant. Inasmuch as these data suggested that the SCW-induced release of inflammatory cell products such as ROI might be an important contributory factor in the pathogenesis of arthritis in the LEW rats, the animals were injected with SCW and treated with ROI inhibitors. A single intraarticular injection of superoxide dismutase or catalase significantly reduced the SCW-induced inflammatory response and evolution of erosive arthritis in the treated animals (articular index 3.6 +/- 0.36 for SCW only vs 1.4 +/- 0.3 for SCW + SOD; p less than 0.001; n = 6). These data indicate that ROI play a pivotal role in synovitis and, furthermore, that suppression of these inflammatory mediators modulates both acute and chronic SCW-induced inflammation of the joint.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Immunochemical quantitation of cysteine proteinase inhibitor cystatin C in inflamed human gingiva.

The amount of the low molecular-weight inhibitor, cystatin C, was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery from 22 patients with different degrees of inflammatory periodontal disease, as indicated by gingival index and probing depth (PD). The concentration of cystatin C was in the range from 0.21 to 3.82 micrograms/g tissue and was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) in samples taken from sites with increased PD.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Dipyridamole potentiates the inhibition by 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and other dideoxynucleosides of human immunodeficiency virus replication in monocyte-macrophages.

Dipyridamole (DPM) is commonly used as a coronary vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We report here that DPM potentiates the inhibitory effects of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in human monocyte-macrophages. At the same concentrations, DPM does not potentiate the toxic effects of AZT on these cells or on human bone marrow (granulocyte-monocyte) progenitor cells. Since monocyte-macrophage lineage cells appear to be the major reservoir for HIV-1 in vivo, these findings suggest the possibility of using DPM or its analogues in combination chemotherapy of HIV infections.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1989

Periodontal treatment needs in a population of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.

1692 citizens of Ljubljana in the age range from 15 to 65 yr participated in a survey to assess their periodontal treatment needs. Eighty-three of the participants (4.9%) were edentulous and excluded from the study. Of the 1609 dentate subjects only 2.4% were free of any signs of periodontal disease. According to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs, (CPITN), reversible gingivitis was present in 19.9% of the population, calculus and shallow pockets (4-5 mm) in 57.4%, and deep pockets (greater than or equal to 6 mm) in 20.3% of the examined participants. Bleeding on probing was the most common finding in a group of 15-yr-old subjects, calculus was most frequently found in 25- and 35-yr-old groups, and shallow and deep pockets in 45-, 55- and 65-yr-old adults. Complex treatment needs increased with age, reaching 42.9% in the 65-yr-old population. However, deep pocketing was in 60% limited to one sextant of the participants with complex treatment needs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Gingival recession, root caries and its prevalence].

In our study 150 referred patients were assessed for the presence of gingival recession and root caries. The mean age of the patients was 40 +/- 9 years. On average they failed 6.8 teeth. Gingival recession was present in all patients, with mean value of 55.5% denuded dental root surfaces, the most frequently expressed on buccal root surfaces. Number of denuded dental root surfaces increases with patient's age. The root caries lesion was found in 75% of patients. Patients had on average 5.7 treated and untreated caries lesions. The number of root caries lesions increases with age of the patients as well. The mean Index of total root caries was 9.4%. Most frequently root caries of lower molars and premolars was found, mostly on the buccal surfaces, rather than on approximal and lingual surfaces.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Causes and treatment of hypersensitivity in tooth root].

The review article describes aetiology and treatment of dental root hypersensitivity. The three main theories of pain transduction from the exposed dentin surface to pain receptors in dental pulp are described. In addition, therapeutic compounds used to stimulate reparatory dentin formation and mineralization of peritubular dentin are described as well. The application of resins and adhesives on exposed dentin root surfaces is advocated in cases of chronic hypersensitivity. Finally, the authors emphasize the need for correct oral hygiene and early orthodontic treatment, if indicated, to prevent gingival recession and hypersensitivity of exposed root surfaces.

Dentin Sensitivity↗
PubMed1989

[Prevalence of dental caries in native and immigrant inhabitants of Ljubljana].

The purpose of the present study was to find out the prevalence of dental caries among adolescent and adult inhabitants of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. 1692 randomly selected subjects were examined in the age groups 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 years. Of all subjects there were 4.9% edentulous. In this research DMFT index was used in 1609 dentate persons. 28 teeth were considered. The prevalence of dental caries is very high among the citizens of Ljubljana, already at the age of 15 there is 98.3%. Mean DMFT values were found to increase with age, from 9.8 teeth at the age of 15 to 22.9 teeth at the age of 65. The mean number of missing teeth (M) increases with age as well, from 0.5 tooth at the age of 15 to 14.9 teeth at the age of 65. The mean number of decayed teeth (D) and filled teeth (F) decreases after the age of 35 due to greater number of missing teeth. Women have more decayed teeth in the age of 15 and 25, they also have more missing teeth after the age of 25, women have in all age groups more filled teeth and a higher mean DMFT values in comparison with men. Immigrant inhabitants had in majority of aged groups more decayed and more missing teeth, less filled teeth and a lower mean DMFT values in comparison with native inhabitants. The biggest difference was in the age group of 25, where immigrant men were the worst group. On the other hand immigrant inhabitants had greater number of healthy teeth in all aged groups in comparison with the native inhabitants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cysteine proteinase inhibitors in inflamed human gingiva.

In the present work we demonstrate the presence of cysteine proteinase inhibitors of all three classes: kininogens, stefin A, and cystatin C, in inflamed human gingiva. Using cystatin C, in inflamed human gingiva. Using immunochemical methods we found that stefin A is the major inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, followed by kininogen and cystatin C. The values for stefin A and cystatin C ranged from 7.0--400 micrograms/g and 1.5--6.1 micrograms/g tissue, respectively, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in inflamed gingival homogenates from patients with different degrees of periodontal disease.

Antibody Formation↗