BACKGROUND: Flavonoid luteolin has been shown to exhibit cell protective effect. However, it is still uncertain whether the effect of luteolin on cellular toxicity of the parkinsonian toxin 6-hydroxydopamine is mediated by apoptosis-related protein activation. METHODS: In differentiated PC12 cells exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine in combination with luteolin, we observed the apoptosis-related protein activation, nuclear damage, formation of reactive oxygen species and cell death. RESULTS: 6-Hydroxydopamine caused apoptosis by inducing a decrease in Bid, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin levels, increase in Bax levels, cytochrome c release and activation of caspases. Treatment with luteolin reduced changes in the apoptosis-related protein levels, formation of reactive oxygen species, nuclear damage and cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Luteolin may reduce the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced apoptosis in differentiated PC12 cells by suppressing the activation of the caspase-8- and Bid-dependent pathways and the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, leading to caspase activation. The preventive effect of luteolin may be associated with its inhibitory effect on the production of reactive oxygen species. Luteolin may attenuate the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction-induced neuronal cell death take place in Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspases ; Cell Death ; Cytochromes c ; Hypogonadism ; Luteolin ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Neurons ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinson Disease ; PC12 Cells ; Reactive Oxygen Species

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to find the cephalometric variables which are significantly correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in suspected Korean obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. METHODS: We examined lateral cephalogram and attended-full night laboratory polysomnography of the 40 participants who complained of OSA symptoms. The correlation analysis was conducted to find the cephalometric variables which are significantly correlated with the AHI. RESULTS: The correlation analysis showed that the higher AHI was associated with the longer distance between hyoid and mandibular plane (p = 0.023), the longer distance between C3 and hyoid (p = 0.014), the longer tongue length (p = 0.003), the larger inferior tongue area (p = 0.008), the larger anterior displacement of the hyoid bone (p = 0.024), the longer distance between posterior nasal spine and the tip of the soft palate (p = 0.021), and the larger cross-sectional area of soft palate (p = 0.001) of cephalogram in erect position. The higher AHI was correlated with the longer distance between hyoid and mandibular plane (p = 0.008), the longer tongue length (p = 0.037), the larger inferior tongue area (p = 0.013), the thicker uvula (p = 0.004), the longer distance between retrognathion and hyoid (p = 0.025), and larger cross-sectional area of soft palate (p = 0.001) of cephalogram in supine position. CONCLUSIONS: The present preliminary results showed the candidate measurements of cephalogram which are significantly correlated with the AHI in suspected OSA.
Apnea* ; Cephalometry ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Palate, Soft ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Spine ; Supine Position ; Tongue ; Uvula

There are several oral lesions related with AIDS, such as candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi's sarcoma, aphthous stomatitis, lichen planus, and other opportunistic infectious diseases. Among the others, Kaposi's sarcoma, the most common malignant tumor associated with AIDS, is closely linked to the number of CD4+ T cell. Kaposi's sarcoma often occurs in palate, the most prone site, and has characteristic clinical features in most cases. Sometimes, the tumor induces underlying bone destruction at late stage. We report a case of a 27 year-old man with AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma at left lower retromolar triangle, parapharyngeal area and discuss the management of AIDS patients in dentistry.
Candidiasis ; Communicable Diseases ; Dentistry ; Humans ; Leukoplakia, Hairy ; Lichen Planus ; Palate ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Stomatitis, Aphthous

Alveolar Process ; Dental Implantation ; Dental Implants ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Transplants