Thiamine and riboflavin inhibit production of cytokines and increase the anti-inflammatory activity of a corticosteroid in a chronic model of inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant.

Background: The effects induced by thiamine and riboflavin, isolated or in association with corticosteroids, in models of chronic inflammation are not known. Thus, we evaluated the effect induced by these B vitamins, isolated or in association with dexamethasone, on the mechanical allodynia, paw edema and cytokine production induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in rats.

Methods: Chronic inflammation was induced by two injections of CFA.

Local delivery of EGF-liposome mediated bone modeling in orthodontic tooth movement by increasing RANKL expression.

Aims: It has long been demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) has catabolic effects on bone. Thus, we examined the role of EGF in regulating mechanically induced bone modeling in a rat model of orthodontic tooth movement.

Main Methods: The maxillary first molars of rats were moved mesially using an orthodontic appliance attached to the maxillary incisor teeth.

Epidermal growth factor in liposomes may enhance osteoclast recruitment during tooth movement in rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of local administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) located within liposomes on recruitment of osteoclasts during mechanical force in rats.

Materials And Methods: An orthodontic elastic band was inserted between the left upper first and second molars, to move mesially the first molar. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): EGF (2 ng/microL) located within liposomes (group 1), liposomes only (group 2), soluble EGF (2 ng/microL; group 3), or vehicle alone (group 4).

Kinetic characterization of P-type membrane ATPase from Streptococcus mutans.

The proton translocating membrane ATPase of oral streptococci has been implicated in cytoplasmatic pH regulation, acidurance and cariogenicity. Studies have confirmed that Streptococcus mutans is the most frequently detected species in dental caries. A P-type ATPase that can act together with F(1)F(o)-ATPase in S.

Use of hand held photopolymerizer to photoinactivate Streptococcus mutans.

Objectives: The main focus of this research was to investigate the photodynamic therapy (PDT), in vitro, acting on Streptococcus mutans and fibroblasts. A hand held photopolymerizer (HHP) and a classical photosensitizer (Rose Bengal) were used to induce photodynamic response.

Methods: S.

Use of visible light-based photodynamic therapy to bacterial photoinactivation.

The main focus of this laboratory exercise was to investigate the photodynamic therapy (PDT) acting over Streptococcus mutans. A handheld photopolymerizer and a classical photosensitizer (Rose Bengal) were used to induce photodynamic response. In this way, a suspension of S.

The effect of carbon source and fluoride concentrations in the streptococcus mutans biofilm formation*.

The main objective of this class experiment is to show the influence of carbon source and of different fluoride concentrations on the biofilm formation by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans. The observation of different biofilm morphology as a function of carbon source and fluoride concentration allows an interesting discussion regarding the metabolic pathways that lead to cavity development, about the role of fluoride on this disease prevention, and also on the importance of biofilm formation to the cariogenic potential of this bacterium, one of the main responsible for this multifatorial disease appearance. On addition to that, the low execution cost and the simple technical apparatus makes this experiment easy to perform.

A 100 kDa vanadate and lanzoprazole-sensitive ATPase from Streptococcus mutans membrane.

The cariogenic potential of Streptococcus mutans is due to the production of organic acids derived from energy metabolism, which implies the need of mechanisms for the organism to tolerate this acidic environment. The F(1)F(o)-ATPase is generally considered as the main enzyme responsible for cytoplasmic proton extrusion, but mutations that resulted in a 50% reduction in F(1)F(o)-ATPase activity in S. mutans still allowed the micro-organism to grow and extrude acid, keeping the intracellular pH one pH unit above the extracellular ambient.