Comparison of immunoexpression of dendritic cells, mast cells and blood vessels in periodontal disease between adults and elderly

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare, in adults and elderly individuals, the immunoexpression of immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs), mast cells, and blood vessels in healthy and diseased gingival tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expressions of immunohistochemical markers, including CD1a (immature dendritic cells), CD83 (mature dendritic cells), tryptase (mast cells) and CD34 (blood vessels), were analyzed in gingival biopsies from elderly (n = 27) and adult (n = 127) patients presenting health, gingivitis and periodontitis. Positive cells for each specimen and marker were counted.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the immunostaining of DCs, mast cells and the amount of blood vessels among gingival biopsies with health, gingivitis and periodontitis in adult and elderly subjects (p > 0.05). Immature DCs were more frequent in tissues with gingivitis and periodontitis in elderly patients, when compared to adults (p < 0.05). Furthermore, degranulated mast cell counts were higher, whereas the number of microvessels was lower in gingivitis in the elderly, when compared to adults (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Diseased periodontal sites in the elderly present an overall significant overexpression of immature DCs and degranulated mast cells, in relation to those of adults. Furthermore, gingivitis in elderly is associated with decreased microvessel growth. These immunoinflammatory differences between elderly and adults may have implications in periodontal tissue breakdown in the late adulthood. Further studies should be performed to elucidate this hypothesis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Understading the relationship between aging and changes in immune cells during periodontal inflammation may lead to therapeutic targets for the future management of periodontal diseases.

Comparative analysis of the hemostatic, analgesic and healing effects of cyanoacrylate on free gingival graft surgical wounds in donor and recipient areas: a systematic review

To analyze the hemostatic, Dsurgical wounds in donor and recipient areas of free gingival grafts (FGG). Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane and Web of Science) were searched up to March 2021 (PROSPERO CRD42019134497). The focus of the study (cyanoacrylate) was combined with the condition (periodontal surgery OR free gingival graft OR free soft tissue graft OR autografts), and outcome (healing OR epithelialization OR pain OR analgesia OR bleeding OR hemostasis OR hemostatic). Studies reporting cyanoacrylate isolated or associated with another substance in FGG stabilization and closure were investigated and assessed for the quality and risk of bias through the Cochrane Manual. Six studies with 323 participants were included. Evaluation of the quality and risk of bias highlighted a low risk for four articles, intermediate for one and unclear for another. The use of cyanoacrylate associated or not with the hemostatic sponge or the platelet-rich fibrin was more effective in healing (three studies), analgesia (four studies), and hemostasis in one study (p < 0.05). However, groups with the association in cyanoacrylate showed superior healing, and analgesic action to the isolated cyanoacrylate group. In addition, two studies demonstrated that cyanoacrylate use reduces surgery duration, one study showed that it reduces postoperative sensibility, and another present hemostatic effect (p < 0.05). There is scarce literature for the use of cyanoacrylate in FGG wounds indicates that it can promote a minor inflammatory response, reduce operation time, does not interfere with healing, relieves postoperative discomfort, and suggests the possibility immediate hemostasis. Its use presents an alternative to suturing in FGG surgeries. But, the limited number of cases and the relative heterogeneity of the included studies suggest caution in generalizing the indication.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Cyanoacrylate seems to present analgesic effects and less pain when applied to wound closure and covering donor and recipient areas reducing the need for postoperative analgesic medication; and has a healing effect in the closure of the donor area on the palate. In addition, it can reduce bleeding time after surgery, and prevents late bleeding during the first postsurgical week. Scientific justification: To evaluate the hemostatic, analgesic and healing actions of cyanoacrylate compared to the suture thread and other agents when used to close surgical wounds from periodontal free gingival graft surgical wounds in both the donor and recipient areas of the graft.

MAIN FINDINGS

The use of cyanoacrylate individually or in association with wound dressing agents presents analgesic effects because the patient reports less pain experienced when cyanoacrylate is applied to the wound closure and covering, thereby reducing the need for postoperative analgesic medication. In addition, a healing effect is observed in the closure of the donor area on the palate; as well as it seems to present hemostatic effects, reducing the bleeding time after surgery, and preventing late bleeding during the first postsurgical week.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Dentists may cautiously apply cyanoacrylate after periodontal surgeries for free gingival graft in both the donor and recipient areas of the graft. However, they must consider the limitations of the surgery, tension-free positioning, the patient's dyscrasia and postoperative care, constituting a set of predictors for adequate clinical decision-making. Widespread use of such material for all patients and surgical configurations may not be recommended.

Immunohistochemical study of CD34 and podoplanin in periodontal disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in gingival tissue biopsy specimens of individuals with clinically healthy gingiva, chronic gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis (n = 30 per clinical condition).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Histological sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunohistochemically with hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34 and podoplanin (PDPN) antibodies to evaluate the microvascular count, area, and perimeter of blood and lymphatic vessels, respectively.

RESULTS

The results revealed a correlation between the microvascular count of blood and lymphatic vessels (P = 0.03; however, in individuals with chronic periodontitis, fewer lymphatic vessels were present than in the clinically healthy gingival tissue (P = 0.01), which was not observed in the case of microvascular area and perimeter. Podoplanin labeling was present in the epithelium, and the intensity of labeling was positively correlated to the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we concluded that an increase in the number of blood and lymphatic vessels was not observed in bouth gingivitis and periodontitis samples. Podoplanin expression is highly associated with an increased inflammatory infiltration suggesting that PDPN might play an additional role in periodontal disease, other than solely as a lymphangiogenesis marker.

Recurrent aphthous ulceration: an epidemiological study of etiological factors, treatment and differential diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous ulcerations are common benign ulcerated lesions on the mouth, whose etiology is poorly understood, with controversial treatment and difficult to control in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cases of recurrent aphthous ulcerations with a focus on treatment, diagnosis and etiology.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of the cases of the Oral Diagnosis service of the Rio Grande do Norte Federal University in Natal/RN. Data such as sex, age, race, location, smoking habits, types of treatment, relapsing episodes, laboratory test results and clinical characteristics were collected. The associations between the variables were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test (p <0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 4895 patients were seen in the service over a period of 11 years. Of these, 161 (3.3%) had complaints of oral aphthous ulcerations, of which 76 (47.2%) were diagnosed as suffering from recurrent aphthous ulcerations and 68 (42.2%) with clinical information necessary for evaluation. The tongue was the most affected anatomical region, with 27 individuals (39.7%), followed by the buccal mucosa, with 22 cases (32.3%).

STUDY LIMITATIONS

Retrospective study with data from medical records.

CONCLUSION

Dental surgeons, dermatologists and otorhinolaryngologists are the main responsible for the first contact with patients with this disease and should be attentive to the clinical aspects and treat each patient in an individualized way, since the therapy is palliative, its diagnosis is by exclusion and its etiology is unknown.

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 analysis in patients with periodontal disease with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate information on the levels of MMP-8 in patients diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease, analyzing its validity as a possible biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of periodontal disease (PD).

METHODS

A systematic search of the following databases was performed: PubMed/Medline, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies involving the evaluation of MMP-8 in patients with prediabetes or patients presenting type 2 diabetes mellitus concomitantly with PD were selected. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the selected studies was based on the methodological bias risk analysis (QUADAS-2).

RESULTS

Eight of the initially identified 2683 articles were selected. In all the selected studies, evaluator calibration and the use of clear methods for patient diagnosis with periodontal disease were present. Studies have demonstrated significantly higher MMP-8 concentrations in PD patients compared to controls, as well as in patients presenting more advanced stages of PD. However, controversies regarding MMP-8 levels in prediabetes/diabetes type 2 patients with PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher MMP-8 levels in patients with PD compared to controls imply the potential use of MMP-8 in the diagnosis of PD. The influence of patient glycemic state, as well as medications these patients make use of, are factors that possibly contribute to the modulation of MMP-8 concentrations in patients with diabetes and should be analyzed, aiming at a better understanding of the relationship between glycemic state and MMP-8 levels in patients with PD.