No abstract

Background: Variants of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been linked to a variety of diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cancer, bone disease, and tuberculosis. The relationship between VDR gene mutations and the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different ethnic groups is yet unknown. Vitamin D and its receptor complex have a function in regulating β-cell insulin secretion as a transcription factor. Objectives: The goal of this study was to see if there is a link between VDR Apa1 and Taq1 polymorphisms and T2DM susceptibility in the Saudis of Makkah environ. Materials and Methods: DNA was separated from peripheral blood and genotyped in 110 healthy controls and 110 unrelated people with T2DM for the VDR ApaI (G/T) rs7975232 and TaqI (A/G) rs731236 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results: The distributions of genotypes and alleles of VDR ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms were statistically indifferent across the groups investigated (P >0.05). Conclusion: These findings showed that polymorphisms in the VDR ApaI and TaqI genes may not be linked to T2DM risk in Saudis.

Objectives. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the microbial efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaf extract, octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT), NaOCl, and their combinations as intracanal irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods. Sixty single-rooted mandibular premolars were decoronated followed by root canal preparation. Each root specimen was autoclaved, inoculated with E. faecalis, and incubated at 37°C for 48 hr. Then, the specimens were divided into six groups based on the irrigation solution used: 2.5% NaOCl (Group 1), 0.1% OCT (Group 2), M. oleifera leaves extract (Group 3), a combination of M. oleifera extract and 1.25% NaOCl (Group 4), a combination of M. oleifera extract and OCT (Group 5) and normal saline (Group 6). Microbial samples were taken from each root canal before (S1) and after (S2) irrigation and the bacterial viability was assessed using colony-forming units (CFU) on bile esculin agar plates. Results. Comparing the number of CFU/ml before and after irrigation showed a significant reduction ( P < 0.001 ) in all studied groups. Comparison between the CFU/ml after irrigation by NaOCl and each of the combination groups showed a significant difference. Conclusion. M. oleifera leaves extract and 0.1% OCT solutions have antibacterial effect against E. faecalis comparable to 2.5% NaOCl and might be used as root canal irrigants. The combination groups showed better antimicrobial activities than individual irrigants. However, further studies are required to investigate the biocompatibility and possible toxic effects of the tested irrigants.