Background & Aims: Atorvastatin is a plasma cholesterol-lowering drug which applies antifungal effects by inhibiting the production of yeast cell wall ergostrol. The aim of present study was to investigate in-vitro susceptibility of candida species to atorvastatin, in comparison to nystatin and fluconazole.Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) were determined using serial dilution. Candida strains isolated from 35 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy in Isfahan, Seyyed-al-Shohada Hospital and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney statistical methods. Results: Candida isolates included 5 strains, C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.kefyr, C.stellatoidea and C.krusei. All five strains appeared to be resistant to nystatin and fluconazole but sensitive to atorvastatin with no statistically significant difference. The MFC of atorvastatin was significantly lower in comparison to both nystatin and fluconazole for all five strains (p value<0.05). There was no significant difference between the MFCs of 5 strains for fluconazole and atorvastatin. However, MFC of nystatin differed significantly for C. albicans and C. kefyr (p =0.007).Discussion: The results showed that all strains were sensitive to atorvastatin and resistant to nystatin and fluconazole. Atorvastatin MIC for C.albicans, C.krusei and C.stellatoidea was equivalent to its serum level used to treat hyperlipidemia and was above such level for both C.glabrata and C.kefyr.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of laser and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) treatment on operative wound healing in a rat model. Methods: Sixty-six male Wistar rats were employed in this study. A 10-mm surgical wound was created on the buccal mucosa of each rat, under anesthesia, and then the rats were divided into 3 groups of 22: (1) GF group (received subcutaneous injection of bFGF), (2) laser group (treated with low-level laser irradiation), and (3) control group (received no treatment). On day 5, half of the rats in each group and on day 10 the other half, were sacrificed. Afterward, samples were taken from rats' buccal mucosa for histological assay and scoring. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test (α = 5%). Results: On day 5 there was not any significant difference between GF and control groups; however, the laser group showed clinically delayed wound coverage, compared to other groups (P < 0.05). On day 10, histological examination demonstrated marked vascular granulation tissue (GT) in GF group. Collagen production was significantly prominent in laser group compared to GF treated samples (P = 0.004). Inflammation of GT in GF and laser groups was significantly less than that in control samples (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The components of wound matrix induced by GF and laser treatment were significantly different. Although bFGF or laser treatment of oral wounds, under the conditions of the present study, did not accelerate wound healing, they showed some other notable effects on the quality of healing.

Background:Oral recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affected oral mucosa which has afflicted about 20% of the society. Etiology of this disease is unknown. Three main factors influencing aphthous stomatitis are genetic, hematologic, and immunologic factors. Another proposed factor that may be considered in etiology of aphthous ulcer is oxidant, anti-oxidant imbalance in the body. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of lipid peroxide enzyme as an important oxidant agent and anti-oxidant vitamins in the saliva and serum of the patients suffering from RAS and compare it to healthy people.Materials and Methods:In this cross-sectional, descriptive – analytical study, 25 patients suffering from RAS were compared to 24 healthy individuals. Applying enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as Vitamins A, E, and C were measured in the saliva and serum of two groups. The results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version (11.5), t-test and χ2.Results:No significant difference was detected between salivary and serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, and C) and MDA in both experimental groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion:According to the results of this study, RAS is not associated with oxidant–antioxidant imbalance in the body. However, it seems quite necessary to carry out more studies in this area.

Aim: Denture stomatitis is a common and recurring problem of denture wearers. Ketoconazole tablet is one of the antimycotic drugs that often has been used to treat this condition, but systemic use of this drug has some adverse effects that frequently lead to unfavorable compliance and treatment failure. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase and ketoconazole tablet. Methods and Materials:Thirty patients with denture stomatitis (positive culture) were divided into two groups. The first group received ketoconazole tablet (orally used 200 mg per day) for 14 days and the second group received 2% topical ketoconazole in orabase applied twice daily on the mucosal denture surface. Candida cultures were taken from the palatal mucosa before and on days 7 and 14 after commencement of the therapy. The mean of colonies before and 7 and 14 days after medication were calculated. Oneway ANOVA and paired t-test were used for data analysis (α=0.05). Results:The mean of colonies number before receiving medication in the tablet and topical application groups were 454 and 441 respectively. The mean of colonies number after receiving medication in tablet and topical application group were 137 and 176 (on the seventh day) and 122 and 96 (on the 14th day), respectively; there was no significant difference between the two groups after medication (p=0.18). Conclusion:Topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase can be useful in managing denture stomatitis. This topical medication has fewer side effects, whereas systemic administration of ketoconazole tablet is associated with some complications.Clinical Significance: The application of topical ketoconazole 2% in orabase ointment can be considered in the treatment of denture stomatitis and has comparable efficacy with the ketoconazole tablet.

Background:Recurrent Herpes Labialis (RHL) is one of most common infective vesiculoulcerative lesions. According to some studies administration of topical and/or systemic zinc compositions has been effective in treatment and prevention. This article aims to comparison of zinc level in healthy subjects and RHL patients in acute and convalescent phases.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective case – control study, carried on 80 individuals (40 normal and 40 RHL patients) mean age=34.5 and 34.4, respectively. Saliva samples were taken in patients in acute phase once and after healing of lesions in convalescent phase (averagely 21 days later) and in normal individuals. Salivary zinc level concentration was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer by dry digestion method. The results were statistically analyzed with SPSS software by t-test (α=0.05).Results:Results showed that salivary zinc level in case group in acute and convalescent phases were 160.8 ngr/mland 205.7 ngr/ml respectivly and significant differences between them were existed (P <0.05). Also significant differences were existed between zinc concentration in healthy subjects and patient groups (in both phases) (P=.001 and .002 for acute and convalescent phases respectively).Conclusion:According to the results, zinc level is significantly lower in acute phase than in convalescent phase and significantly lower in both phases compared to healthy individuals,so determination of serum zinc level and prescribing zinc complement in low serum status has both treatmental and preventive effects in RHL patients.