This study assessed the use of emulsion-produced propolis nanoparticles for treating carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver fibrosis and nephropathy on albino rat model. The evaluation of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and the treatment outcomes involved biochemical investigations of blood samples as well as molecular analysis, and histopathological assessment for liver and kidney tissue samples. CCl 4 treatment caused elevated biochemical indicators of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects as detected by liver and kidney functions tests, which improved gradually with propolis nanoparticles treatment. The molecular studies showed an increase in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), Nephrin, and Caspase-9, while Bcl-2 levels dropped in both liver and kidney tissue samples; such changes were normalized after treatment. The histological findings confirm both biochemical and molecular studies. Our results indicated that propolis nanoparticles had an anti-inflammatory effect as proved by decreased expression of TGF-β in liver tissue and Nephrin in kidney tissue. The propolis nanoparticles showed an anti-apoptotic effect on liver and kidney tissue increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing the expression of Caspase-9.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone turnover markers in ovariectomized rats. Thirty adult female albino rats were used in this study and divided into three groups: Group (1); 10 sham-operated rats served as controls group (2); 10 bilateral ovariectomized rats (OVX), and group (3); 10 OVX rats exposed to LLLT. LLLT was applied on the neck and shaft of femur, 5 times/week for 8 weeks. The dose applied on each point was 1000 Hertz, 5 Watts for 30 seconds with a total dose of 15 mJoule/cm 2 .At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and sera were separated for determination of serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In addition, a 24 hour urine sample was also collected from each rat for the determination of urinary calcium, phosphorous, and deoxypyridinoline(DPD)/creatinine. Results showed significant increase in serum Ca, Pi, ALP, osteocalcin, and significant decrease in U-DPD/creatinine in LLLT exposed group as compared to the other two groups. Bone morphological results revealed increase in calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase of femoral bones of LLLT exposed group in comparison to sham-operated and OVX rats. Using software image analysis showed increased osteoblast numbers, decreased osteoclast numbers and increased compact bone thickness in LLLT exposed group. Significant positive correlations were obtained between osteoblast numbers and serum Ca, Pi, ALP, and osteocalcin in LLLT exposed group, while a significant negative correlation was noticed with U-DPD. In conclusion, the use of LLLT was found to be effective in enhancing bone formation, decreasing bone resorption in the osteoporotic OVX rats. Further studies are necessary to investigate the effect of different parameters of LLLT as wave length, duration, and also numbers of sessions. The potential use of LLLT in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is needed to be verified.
INTRODUCTION: The study aims as a pilot study to evaluate the effect of different treatment regimen and different types of endodontic sealers on pain and periapical radiographic changes was studied.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients in need of an endodontic root canal treatment on anterior teeth were selected and divided into two groups (20 patients each), according to the endodontic treatment protocol (single or multiple visits). Then, each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to sealer used 10 each (AH Plus Jet resin sealer, Total Fill Bioceramic Sealer). To record pain intensity of the patients at different intervals: 1, 2, 3, 7 days, a visual analog scale was used. Furthermore, patients were recalled after 1, 3, 6, 9 months to evaluate periapical radiographic changes.
RESULTS: Showed that as regard pain assessment both tested endodontic sealers, as well as single or multiple visits have no statistically significant difference between pain values of patients during all the observation period from immediately post-operative, after 4, 12, 24, 48, 72 h as well as after 7 days (p > 0.05). As regard lamina dura thickness, results showed that with both tested endodontic sealers as well as single or multiple visits, there was no statistically significant difference between lamina dura thickness of patients after 1 month, 3, 6 as well as after 9 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Neither number of visits of endodontic treatment nor type of sealer used for obturation affects post-operative pain and thickness of lamina dura.
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