Curcumin Relaxes Precontracted Guinea Pig Gallbladder Strips via Multiple Signaling Pathways.

Background: Curcumin (diferuloymethane) is the active ingredient of the dietary spice turmeric. Curcumin modulates various signalling molecules, including inflammatory agents, transcription factors, protein kinases and cell cycle regulatory proteins. The purpose of this study was to determine if curcumin had an effect on gallbladder motility.

The Resveratrol-induced Relaxation of Cholecystokinin Octapeptide- or KCl-induced Tension in Male Guinea Pig Gallbladder Strips Is Mediated Through L-type Ca2+Channels.

Background/aims: Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic compound (stilbene) and a phytoalexin. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism which mediated the resveratrol-induced relaxation of cholecystokinin octapeptide- or KCl-induced tension in male guinea pig gallbladder strips.

Methods: Gallbladder strips were prepared and suspended in in vitro chambers filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution.

The flavonoid chrysin, an endocrine disrupter, relaxes cholecystokinin- and KCl-induced tension in male guinea pig gallbladder strips through multiple signaling pathways.

The bioflavonoids have effects on vascular smooth muscle and gastrointestinal smooth muscle. The flavone and phytoestrogen, chrysin, has been shown to have a vasorelaxant effect on resistance blood vessels. This effect was mediated by nitric oxide (NO).

Osteocalcin expression in pulp inflammation.

Introduction: Dental pulp inflammation and repair are closely related. Osteocalcin (OCN), a glycoprotein present in dentin matrix, is expressed by odontoblasts. Although OCN is considered a reparative molecule inside the dental pulp, it is not clear if it is involved in pulpal inflammation.

A novel experimental model for studying transverse orthodontic tooth movement in the rat mandible.

Objectives: To establish a rat model of a one-piece mandible using the principles of gingivoperiosteoplasty and guided bone regeneration to fuse the midline symphyseal area.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into two groups: 12 experimental and 12 control. Both groups were imaged using in vivo micro-computed tomography at baseline and at end point (5 months).

Dentin matrix protein-1 activates dental pulp fibroblasts.

Introduction: Dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) is involved in the mineralization of hard dental tissues. DMP-1 is localized in several soft tissues, but its role is unclear.

Methods: Human inflamed dental pulps were collected from the endodontic clinic and human normal pulps from impacted teeth.

17β-Estradiol relaxes cholecystokinin- and KCl-induced tension in male guinea pig gallbladder strips.

Estrogen has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the contractility of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, including the gallbladder. Since estrogen and progesterone levels are elevated during pregnancy, a biliary stasis may develop during pregnancy that is characterized by an increase in the fasting and residual volumes and by a decrease in emptying capacity. This study investigates the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on contraction in male guinea pig gallbladder strips.

Effects of calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2, and parathyroid hormone-related protein on endodontically treated ferret canines.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), calcitonin (CT), or parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) promoted reparative tertiary dentin or osteodentin formation in ferret canines.

Methods: Ferrets had up to 4 pulpotomies performed under anesthesia. All pulps had sterile absorbable sponge of a standard size placed in contact with the pulp.

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone inhibit gallbladder motility through multiple signalling pathways.

Testosterone (T) has been shown to cause vasodilation in rabbit coronary arteries through a nongenomic pathway. Part of this T-induced relaxation was shown to be mediated by opening voltage dependent K(+) channels. T infusion also reduces peripheral resistance in human males with heart failure.

Protein kinase C masks nitric oxide synthase activity in vascular smooth muscle under basal conditions.

Under basal conditions there is no observable nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in vascular smooth muscle (VSM). Pretreatment of endothelium-denuded aortic rings from Sprague-Dawley rats with 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), (0.1 micromol/L) significantly attenuated phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractile responses in a dose-dependent manner.