The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of selected MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and osteocalcin in the serum and synovial fluid of obese women with osteoarthritis and their correlations with clinical status. The studied group consisted of 39 overweight females undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis (OA). The staging of knee OA was evaluated according to the Ahlbӓck and Kellgren–Lawrence scores. Synovial fluid and peripheral blood samples were obtained. The levels of selected MMPs and osteocalcin were assessed using commercial ELISA kits. The mean value of MMP3 was significantly higher in patients with more advanced disease in both serum (p = 0.0067) and synovial fluid (p = 0.0328). The pro-MMP13 level tended to be higher in synovial fluid in the case of more advanced stages (p = 0.0882), with no tendency regarding the serum level (p = 0.9595). The synovial level of pro-MMP1 was significantly correlated with the synovial concentration of MMP9 and MMP3. The synovial level of MMP9 also showed a significant correlation with the synovial level of MMP3 and pro-MMP13. Furthermore, it was found that the serum level of MMP3 was significantly correlated with the synovial pro-MMP13 level. A correlation between the osteocalcin level in serum and its synovial level was determined. The serum MMP9 level showed a significant correlation with BMI, whereas the synovial MMP9 level was notably correlated with age. Our results showed that the levels of MMP3, MMP9, and pro-MMP13 increased in more advanced radiological stages of OA, indicating the underlying inflammatory process of OA.

The aim of this study was to assess levels of adiponectin (ACRP-30) and leptin in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of overweight females with primary gonarthrosis (GOA) and to look for their correlations with clinical status and the level of biochemical OA biomarkers: matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1). The studied group consisted of 39 overweight females undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty as a result of GOA. The stage of GOA was evaluated according to Knee Society Score (KSS), Ahlbäck and Kellgren–Lawrence (K-L) scores. Peripheral blood and SF were obtained. Levels of selected biomarkers were assessed using ELISA kits. The mean level of ACRP-30 in serum valued were 8393.80 ng/mL and in SF, 774.33 ng/mL, the mean concentration of leptin in serum was 32,040.74 pg/mL and in SF, 27,332.12 pg/mL. Levels of leptin in serum and SF correlated with body mass index (BMI), (p = 0.0005, and p = 0.0002, respectively). Levels of ACRP-30 in serum was correlated with clinical scores (Ahlbäck: p = 0.0214; K-L: p = 0.0146). ACRP-30 in SF correlated with ACRP-30 in serum (p = 0.0003), tended to negatively correlate with MMP-1 in serum (p = 0.0598) and positively correlate with pro-MMP-1 in SF (p = 0.0600). To conclude, this study confirms the correlations between concentrations of both, leptin and ACRP-30, comparing serum and SF. In overweight females, leptin levels increase with BMI and ACRP-30 serum level increase in more advanced GOA stages. Finally, leptin levels were correlated with TIMP-1 serum concentration, one of the biochemical markers of GOA.

The aim of this work was to prepare a new hydrogel based on nanohydroxyapatite (nFAP, 10% w/w) and fluorides (4% w/w), both of which are used as sources of fluoride ions in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity, and to characterize its physicochemical properties. The release of fluoride ions from 3 gels (G-F, G-F-nFAP, and G-nFAP gel) was controlled in Fusayama–Meyer artificial saliva at pH 4.5, 6.6, and 8.0. The properties of the formulations were determined by an analysis of viscosity, a shear rate test, a swelling study, and gel aging. Various methods, i.e., FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric, electrochemical, and rheological analysis, were used for the experiment. The profiles of fluoride release indicate that the amount of fluoride ions released increases with a decrease in the pH value. The low pH value facilitated water absorption by the hydrogel, which was also confirmed by the swelling test, and it promoted the exchange of ions with the surrounding environment. Under conditions similar to physiological conditions (at pH 6.6), the amounts of fluorides released into artificial saliva were approximately 250 µg/cm2 and 300 µg/cm2 for the G-F-nFAP hydrogel and G-F hydrogel, respectively. The aging study and properties of the gels showed a loosening of the gel network structure. The Casson rheological model was used to assess the rheological properties of the non-Newtonian fluids. Hydrogels consisting of nanohydroxyapatite and sodium fluoride are promising biomaterials in the prevention and management of the dentin hypersensitivity.

The purpose of the in vitro study presented in this paper was to determine the long-term release of fluoride ions from selected ormocer materials (Admira (A), Admira Flow (AF), Admira Seal (AS)). The release of fluoride ions from these materials into a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and deionized water was tested for 14 weeks. In a long-term study the measurements were taken after 1 and 3 h, then 1, 2, and 3 days and then at weekly intervals for 14 weeks. In a short-term study the measurements were made after 3, 24, 48, 72, 69, 168 h, i.e., within 7 days. All materials used in the test showed a constant level of fluoride release. The highest level of cumulative release of fluoride ions into deionized water was found in the AS material (23.95 ± 4.30 μg/mm2), slightly lower in the A material (23.26 ± 4.16 μg/mm2) and the lowest in the AF material (16.79 ± 2.26 μg/mm2). The highest level of cumulative release into saline solution was found in AF (8.08 ± 1.30 μg/mm2), slightly lower in AS (7.36 ± 0.30 μg/mm2) and the lowest in A (6.73 ± 1.10 μg /mm2). After 1 h of immersion of the samples in the saline solution, the highest level of fluoride was released by AF (0.57 ± 0.06 μg/mm2) followed by A (0.20 ± 0.03 μg/mm2) and AS (0.19 ± 0.02 µg/mm2). Moreover, in the 14-week study, the total amount of fluoride release into the saline, which imitates the environment of the oral cavity, was observed as the highest in the AF sample.