Development of a quantitative preclinical screening model for implant osseointegration in rat tail vertebra.

Objectives: Functional tooth replacement and bone regeneration are parts of the daily practice in modern dentistry, but well-reproducible and relatively inexpensive experimental models are still missing. We aimed to develop a new small animal model to monitor osseointegration utilizing the combination of multiple evaluation protocols.

Material And Methods: After cutting the tail between the C4 and C5 vertebrae in Wistar rats, costume made, parallel walled, non-threaded implants were placed into the center of the tail parallel with its longitudinal axis using a surgical guide.

Evidence for Bicarbonate Secretion by Ameloblasts in a Novel Cellular Model.

Formation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals during amelogenesis generate a large number of protons that must be neutralized, presumably by HCO3 (-)ions transported from ameloblasts into the developing enamel matrix. Ameloblasts express a number of transporters and channels known to be involved in HCO3 (-)transport in other epithelia. However, to date, there is no functional evidence for HCO3 (-)transport in these cells.

Immunomodulatory and potential therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells in periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to alveolar bone destruction, and eventually tooth loss. In genetically or environmentally predisposed individuals periodontopathogenic bacteria trigger an inflammatory immune response where activated macrophages secrete inflammatory cytokines and T helper 17 cells produce interleukin-17, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-α. Inflammation and the production of RANKL, the key cytokine responsible for osteoclast activation, cause excessive activation of osteoclasts.