The effect of the acute-phase response on the clearance rate of plasma kallikrein by the exsanguinated liver was studied in three groups of rats: a control group and two other groups that received either turpentine or an endogenous pyrogen preparation. The plasma kallikrein clearance rates were significantly higher in both inflamed groups.

Curcumin is an yellow pigment that is present in the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a plant related to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), originally from India. It is mainly used in cooking and aesthetics, but is also widespread in folk medicine, in the form of teas, gels and ointments. The aim of this study was to ascertain in the literature the clinical potential of curcumin in disorders in the bucomaxillofacial complex. For this, an integrative literature research published in the range from 2000 to 2020 was carried out in the online databases PubMed (National Libary of Medicine) and ScienceDirect. Using Descriptors and Synonyms MeSH, following 3 semantic fields: "Curcumin" in association with "Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology" and "Pharmacological Therapy".  From the 986 articles found, 20 were included in this article after the application of inclusion criteria, where significantly positive results were observed in treatments of pathologies such as leukoplakia, cystic adenoid carcinoma, lichen planus, submucosal fibrosis, oral mucositis and candidiasis. In addition, post-surgical complications such as pain, inflammatory edema and alveolar osteitis also had attenuated signs and symptoms due to the use of curcuminoids. In this sense, curcumin applies to dentistry as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antineoplastic and healing.

Objective: To investigate the influence of periodontal disease on serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), evaluating the levels of this biomolecule in patients with and without periodontal disease and, in those who have periodontal disease, evaluating the levels of this protein before and after periodontal treatment. Methodology: The research was carried out with 82 patients seen at the Clinic-School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Campina Grande, campus Patos-PB. The individuals were divided into two groups, one consisting of 42 patients with healthy periodontium and the other composed of 40 patients with periodontal disease. Among the individuals in the group with periodontal disease, 11 were reassessed one week after the completion of periodontal treatment. Results: CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the group with periodontal disease (6.09 ± 1.34 mg / l, n = 40) compared to the control group (2.93 ± 0.55 mg / l, n = 42). The results also showed that periodontal treatment reduced CRP values (3.76 ± 0.92 mg / l, n = 11) when compared to values before treatment (10.58 ± 3.69 mg / l, n = 11), however, with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: It is observed that CRP levels are significantly increased in the serum of patients with periodontal disease compared to patients with healthy periodontium and that lower CRP levels were observed after non-surgical periodontal therapy. The results indicate that periodontal disease interferes with serum CRP levels, and that periodontal treatment can have a positive effect in reducing this protein.

Objetivo: Esta pesquisa avaliou o risco cardiovascular de pacientes com doença periodontal, conforme seus diferentes níveis de severidade, comparando-os com pacientes de periodonto saudável. Metodologia: A pesquisa foi realizada com pacientes da Clínica Escola Odontológica da UFCG, campus Patos-PB, sendo eles divididos nos grupos Doença Periodontal (DP) e Grupo Controle (GC). O grupo DP foi subdividido em pacientes com Gengivite, com Periodontite Localizada e com Periodontite Generalizada. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para análise dos níveis séricos da Proteína C-Reativa (PCR), por meio do método ultrassensível. Resultados: Dos 66 participantes, verificou-se que a maioria era do gênero feminino (54,54%). A idade média foi de 32,37 ± 2,41 anos para o grupo DP e de 24,08 ± 1,74 anos para o GC. Níveis séricos de PCR foram mais elevados no Grupo DP (6,09 ± 1,34 mg/l; n = 30) quando comparados ao GC (2,21 ± 0,23 mg/l; n = 36). Os subgrupos com Gengivite (6,95 ± 1,99 mg/l; n = 22) e com Periodontite Localizada (11,82 ± 5,27 mg/l; n = 5) apresentaram valores de PCR significantemente maiores que aqueles do GC (2,21 ± 0,23 mg/l; n = 36). Não foram observadas diferenças entre os valores do grupo com Periodontite Generalizada (2,98 ± 1,63 mg/l; n = 3) em relação ao grupo controle. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que pacientes com doença periodontal apresentaram níveis de PCR mais elevados, quando em comparação aos pacientes do periodonto saudável, o que demonstra uma maior propensão ao desenvolvimento de cardiopatias por indivíduos com periodontopatias.

IntroductionIn the last years there has been increasing evidence that inflammation and autoimmunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.Although the brain has been considered an immune-privileged site, we understand now that infections and inflammation interfere with the blood-brain barrier, making the brain vulnerable to antibodies, cytokines and infectious agents.ObjectivesTo understand the role of immune disfunction in schizophrenia pathogenesis, as well as the potential role of immunotherapy in its treatment.MethodsWe performed a narrative review of the evidence, using the following terms and their combinations “schizophrenia”, “autoimmunity” and “monoclonal antibodies”.ResultsIt is widely known that prenatal, perinatal and childhood exposure to infections, nutritional deficits and other environmental insults, acting on a background of genetic vulnerability, may lead to schizophrenia. In such cases, we can observe potent and enduring inflammatory responses, such as cytokines dysregulations.State markers, including IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β have increased levels during exacerbation of symptoms and stabilized levels when antipsychotics are administrated. Trait markers, such as IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α have systematically increased levels in acutely and chronically ill patients, even during clinical stability.Moreover, patients with schizophrenia have been showing abnormalities of the blood-brain barrier, signs of central nervous system inflammation and elevated autoantibody levels and reactivity.Several autoimmune diseases are associated with schizophrenia, such as celiac disease, Graves’ disease and psoriasis. On the other hand, it is known since the 1950’s that schizophrenia has a negative association with rheumatoid arthritis.There are case reports of people with psychosis that were treated with immunosuppressive agents (for concurrent autoimmune diseases) that showed improvement in their psychotic symptoms.NSAIDs, immunomodulators and several monoclonal antibodies have been tested as potential treatments for schizophrenia. The results were conflicting but promising. It is suggested that not every patient with schizophrenia may benefit from these treatments. Ideally, treatment targeting the immune system should be provided in earlier phases of disease, such as in prodromal psychosis and first episode psychosis, because these are related to irreversible grey matter loss which causes cognitive decline.ConclusionsImmune dysregulation may have an important etiological role in schizophrenia.Hence, specific therapeutic approaches targeting the immune system may lead to new ways of treating and even preventing psychotic disorders.Further investigation is necessary in order to provide more information on how aberrant antibody and cytokine production interferes with neuronal function and how it is expressed at the clinical level.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared