Background: Tooth whitening usually includes the direct use of gels containing carbamide or hydrogen peroxide on the tooth enamel surface through a wide variety of products formulas. A generally new advancement in whitening of teeth uses the significant importance of the tooth color shift from yellow to blue in delivering a general enhancement in the observation of tooth whiteness. The aim of the current work was to measure the tooth whitening effects, surface roughness and enamel morphology of six different types of blue covarine-containing and blue covarine-free toothpastes using in vitro models. Methods: A total of 70 sound extracted human premolars were randomly and equally divided into seven groups, and each subjected to tooth brushing using different toothpastes. Tooth color and enamel surface roughness were measured before and after the brushing procedure using a white light interferometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess tooth surface after the procedure. Results: Toothpaste containing blue covarine resulted in the greatest improvement in tooth color amongst all groups as well as a statistically significant color difference when compared to blue covarine-free toothpaste.  Furthermore, blue covarine-containing toothpaste resulted in fewer morphological changes to the enamel surface. This was confirmed with SEM images that showed smooth enamel surfaces with fine scratches.   Conclusions: The results from the present study show that blue covarine containing toothpastes are reliable, effective in tooth whitening and produce less surface abrasion when compared to blue covarine-free toothpastes.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) injection on the Ki-67 immuno-expression in submandibular salivary gland tissue of rats receiving doxorubicin (DXR). Methods: A total of 21 two-month-old male albino rats, of 200 g body weight, were divided into three groups: control group; DXR group, the rats received 20 mg/kg body weight DXR as a single intra peritoneal injection; DXR+EGF group, the rats received the same dose of DXR and on the next day they were injected intraperitoneally with 10 µg/kg body weight of EGF daily for one week. Histological sections and immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 sections were examined using a ZEISS Primo Star light microscopy and images taken using Tucsen IS 1000 10.0MP Camera. Results: Ki-67 expression was significantly increased in submandibular salivary glands of rats after DXR injection. However, Ki-67 expression in the glandular tissue was restored to normal levels after EGF injection. Conclusions: EGF preserved glandular architecture after DXR injection and maintained Ki-67 immune-expression within the glandular tissue near to the normal level.

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Diabetes has well known damaging effects on different tissues of the body including salivary glands. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) facilitates healing and repair through different mechanisms including the increase in the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to investigate if the effect of EGF was enough to repair the damage caused by diabetes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into three groups. A control group, a streptozotocin induced diabetic group, and EGF group that was subjected to a single daily EGF intraperitoneal injection for two months after induction of diabetes. Submandibular salivary glands were dissected and examined using transmission electron microscopy. The diabetic group showed severe signs of atrophy and damage affecting all glandular components. The EGF group showed marked improvement in all elements of the submandibular salivary glands. Conclusions: EGF restored the structural integrity of submandibular salivary glands in diabetic rats.

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