Kim YS, Kang SJ, Kim JW, Cho HR, Moon SB, Kim KY, Lee HS, Han CH, Ku SK, Lee YJ. Effects of Polycan, a β‐glucan, on experimental periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in Sprague‐Dawley rats. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 800–810. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective:  Polycan is a promising candidate for the treatment of periodontal disease. This study was undertaken to examine whether Polycan, a type of β‐glucan, has a protective effect on ligature‐induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone loss in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Material and Methods:  Polycan was orally administered, daily, for 10 d, at 21.25, 42.5 or 85 mg/kg, beginning 1 d after ligation. Changes in body weight and alveolar bone loss were monitored, and the anti‐inflammatory effects of Polycan were determined by measuring the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in gingival tissue. We also evaluated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as a measure of the antioxidant effect. Results:  Ligature placement led to a marked decrease in body weight, increased alveolar bone loss and increased concentrations of MPO, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and MDA, as well as increased iNOS activity and inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased collagen‐fiber content. Histological examination revealed increases in the number and activity of osteoclast cells, decreases in alveolar bone volume and elevated percentages of osteclasts on the alveolar bone surface. Daily oral treatment with 42.5 or 85 mg/kg of Polycan for 10 d led to significant, dose‐dependent inhibition of the effect of ligature placement. Conclusion:  Taken together, these results suggest that 10 d of oral treatment with Polycan effectively inhibits ligature placement‐induced periodontitis and related alveolar bone loss via an antioxidant effect.

The regional distribution and relative frequency of neurohormonal peptides-producing cells were demonstrated in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the Korean aucha perch Coreoperca herzi, using 10 types of specific antisera raised against mammalian regulatory peptides. The GI tract was divided into four portions: stomach, gastro-intestinal junction, and small and large intestine. Most of the immunoreactive (IR) cells were in the mucosal epithelium and they were generally spindle shaped with a long cytoplasmic process. In addition, ovoid cells were found in the gastric regions. Serotonin-, somatostatin-, glucagon-, cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-IR cells were observed with various relative frequencies. No chromogranin A-, secretin-, vasoactive intestinal peptide-, substance P-or bombesin-IR cells, however, were found. Serotonin-IR cells occurred throughout the GI tract and were the most numerous. Somatostatin-IR cells were restricted to the stomach and gastro-intestinal junction in numerous and moderate frequencies, respectively, but small numbers of glucagon-IR cells were restricted to the small intestine. Numerous CCK-8-IR cells were found in the small intestine but variable numbers of PP-IR cells occurred throughout the GI tract except for the large intestine. In general the distribution and relative frequency of these IR cells correspond well to previous reports in teleosts but there are some difference in this species. # 2004 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

The distributions and frequencies of some endocrine cells in the eight portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract - fundus, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum of the ddN mouse, were studied with immunohistochemical method using seven types of antisera against chromogranin (Cg) A serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP). In the GI tract of ddN mice, CgA, serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin, CCK-8 immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified with various frequencies, but hPP-IR cells were not observed in this study. Most of IR cells in the intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open type cell) whereas cells showing round in shape (close type cell) were found in the intestinal gland and stomach regions occasionally. They showed the highest frequency in the pylorus or colon. CgA-IR cells were observed from the pylorus to ileum. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole GI tract except for the fundus. Somatostatin-IR cells were demonstrated throughout the whole GI tract except for the cecum and colon. Gastrin and CCK-8-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus and duodenum. In addition, a few glucagon-IR cells were restricted to the fundus and rectum. In conclusion, the general distribution patterns and relative frequency of GI endocrine cells of the ddN mouse was similar to that of other strains of mice. However, some strain and/or species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies of endocrine cells were also observed in the present study.

The distributions and frequencies of some endocrine cells in the eight portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract - fundus, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum of the nude mouse, Balb/c-nu/nu were studied with immunohistochemical method using six types of anti-sera against serotonin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, somatostatin, glucagon and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP). All of six types of immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified. Most of IR cells in the intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open type cell) while cells showing round in shape (close type cell) were found in the intestinal gland and stomach regions occasionally. Their relative frequencies were varied according to each portion of GI tract. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole GI tract and they showed the highest frequency in the pylorus. Gastrin-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus and duodenum with numerous and a few frequencies, respectively. CCK-8-IR cells were also restricted to the pylorus, duodenum and jejunum with numerous, a few and rare frequencies, respectively. Somatostatin-IR cells were demonstrated throughout the whole GI tract except for the colon and rectum, and they showed the highest frequency in the fundus. In addition, glucagon- and hPP-IR cells were restricted to the fundus and rectum, respectively with a few frequencies. In conclusion, the general distribution patterns and relative frequency of GI endocrine cells of the nude mouse, Balb/c-nu/nu was similar to that of other strains of mice. However, some strain and/or species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies of endocrine cells were also observed especially for somatostatin- and hPP-IR cells.