PURPOSE: To observe the histopathological changes and caspase-3 expression in the submandibular gland in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 gm were divided into four groups: control, diabetes, irradiation, and diabetes-irradiation groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the rats by injecting streptozotocin. Rats in the control and irradiation groups were injected with citrate buffer only. After 5 days, rats in irradiation and diabetes-irradiation groups were irradiated with a single absorbed dose of 10 Gy to the head and neck region. All the rats were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after irradiation. The specimen including the submandibular gland were sectioned and observed using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: In the irradiation group, the condensed nucleus, karyolysis, and degeneration of the acinar cells and atrophy of the duct cells were observed in the early experimental phase. However, the acinar cells were found to be normal at 28 days after irradiation. In the diabetes group, the condensed nucleus, karyolysis, atrophy, and degeneration of the acinar cells were observed in the early experimental phase. However, the acinar cells were found to be normal at 21 days after diabetic state induction. In the diabetes-irradiation group, the ductal epithelial cells were predominant in their glandular tissues at 28 days after irradiation. In all of the experimental groups, the most prominent change of the acinar cells and ductal cells were observed at 14 days after diabetic state induction and irradiation. CONCLUSION: The expression of caspase-3 in the acinar cells and ductal cells of the submandibular gland was weak after irradiation, but that in the acinar cells, ductal cells, and fibrous cells of the submandibular gland was prominent after diabetic state induction.
Acinar Cells ; Animals ; Atrophy ; Caspase 3* ; Citric Acid ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epithelial Cells ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salivary Glands ; Streptozocin ; Submandibular Gland*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the preliminary use of morphologic operation (MO) in analyzing trabecular pattern of alveolar bone for the predicting systemic osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study subjects consisted of 35 females (average age 48.5 years) and 25 males (average age 25.8 years). Bone mineral density BMD (grams/cm2) of lumbar spine and proximal femur of these subjects were measured by a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected from the digitized periapical radiographs of subjects' posterior jaw. A custom computer program processed morphology operations of ROIs. We compared mean values of 11 MO variables according to the osteoporotic group divided by the T-scores of DEXA. We also studied correlation between radiographic density and these MO variables. RESULTS: The mean radiographic densities insignificantly correlated with MO variables. There were statistically significant differences among the values of 9 MO variables according to the osteoporotic group. CONCLUSION: Morphologic operation can be effective in analyzing trabecular pattern of alveolar bone for the predicting osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Jaw ; Male ; Osteoporosis* ; Radiography ; Spine

PURPOSE: To observe the histopathological changes in the periodontal tissues of mandibular molars in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 gm were divided into four groups: control, diabetes, irradiation, and diabetes- irradiation groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the rats by injecting streptozotocin. Rats in the control and irradiation groups were injected with citrate buffer only. After 5 days, the head and neck region of the rats in irradiation and diabetes-irradiation groups were irradiated with a single absorbed dose of 10 Gy. All the rats were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after irradiation. The specimen including the mandibular molars were sectioned and observed using a histopathological method. RESULTS: In the diabetes group, osteoclastic activity was observed in the alveolar bone and the root throughout the period of experiment. Also, osteoblastic and fibroblastic activities were markedly decreased. In the irradiation group, the osteoclasts were observed in the alveolar bone and the dilated capillaries were increased in the early experimental phases. However, vigorous osteoblastic activity was noted in the late experimental phases. In the diabetes-irradiation group, osteoclastic activity in the alveolar bone and the root was observed in the early experimental phases. However, there were no resorption and osteoblastic activity in the alveolar bone and the root in the late experimental phases, and obvious atrophic change of fibrous tissues was noted. CONCLUSION: This experiment suggests that osteoblastic activity was caused by irradiation in the late experimental phases, but atrophic change of the periodontal ligament tissues was induced after irradiation in diabetic state.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Citric Acid ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fibroblasts ; Head ; Humans ; Male ; Molar ; Neck ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

PURPOSE: We performed the present study to investigate whether osteotropic hormomes play roles on the nitric oxide (NO) production in culture of ROS17/2.8 osteoblastic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The osteoblastic cell line ROS17/2.8 cells were cultured in F12 medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. ROS17/2.8 cells were plated in 96-well plates at a density of 2-3x10 (3) cells/well and grown to confluence. Then the cells were pretreated with osteotropic hormones (parathyroid hormone (PTH) 20-500 ng/mL, 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1, 25[OH]2D3) 1-100 nM; prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 20-500 ng/mL) in the medium supplemented with 0.4% FBS for 72 hours and the cells were treated with cytokines (TNFalpha and IFNgamma) in phenol red-free F12 medium for an additional 48 hours. NO synthesis was assessed by measuring the nitrite anion concentration, the reaction product of NO, in the cell culture medium using Griess reagent. RESULTS: PTH and 1, 25[OH]2D3 pretreatment induced a significant increase in NO production in the presence of TNFalpha and IFNgamma. PGE2 slightly induced NO production compared to the control group. But, PGE2 pretreatment did not affect in NO production in the presence of TNFalpha and IFNgamma. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the actions of osteotropic hormones in bone metabolism may be partially mediated by NO in the presence of cytokines.
Atmosphere ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cytokines ; Dinoprostone ; Metabolism ; Nitric Oxide* ; Osteoblasts ; Phenol ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the fractal dimension of successive panoramic radiographs of bone after implant placement is useful in the characterization of structural change in alveolar bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve subjects with thirty-five implants were retrospectively followed-up from one week to six months after implantation. Thirty-six panoramic radiographs from twelve patients were classified into 1 week, 1-2 months and 3-6 months after implantation and digitized. The windows of bone apical and mesial or distal to the implant were defined as periapical region of interest (ROI) and interdental ROI; the fractal dimension of the image was calculated. RESULTS: There was not a statistically significant difference in fractal dimensions during the period up to 6 months after implantation. The fractal dimensions were higher in 13 and 15 mm than 10 and 11.5 mm implant length at interdental ROIs in 3-6 months after implantation (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Longer fixtures showed the higher fractal dimension of bone around implant. This investigation needs further exploration with large numbers of implants for longer follow-up periods.
Dental Implants ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractals* ; Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the magnification error percentage in repeatedly taken panoramic radiographs of same patient and machine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 92 panoramic radiographs from 46 patients were traced and 30 horizontal and vertical measurements were made with digital sliding caliper. The results were compared with paired t-test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two measurements. The overall difference as percentage error was 6.19+/-5.60%. The largest error as 14.61+/-12.44% was found at condylar height 1, and smallest as 1.86+/-1.61% at mandibular height. Overall vertical error excluding condylar height 1 was 3.76+/-3.97%, and the horizontal error 6.88+/-5.92%. CONCLUSION: Repeatedly taken panoramic radiographs of the same patient and machine was reliable since there was no significant percentage error difference but the percentage error ranged from 1.86+/-1.61% to 14.61+/-12.44% indicating the error depends on the measuring site.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fractal analysis of periapical and panoramic radiographs was useful in predicting osteoporosis risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 postmenoposal women between the age of 42 and 79 were classified as normal and osteoporosis group according to the bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae and periapical and panoramic radiographs were taken. Fractal dimensions at periapical areas of mandibular first molars were calculated to differentiate the two groups. RESULTS: The mean fractal dimensions of normal group on periapical and panoramic radiographs were 1.413+/-0.079, 1.517+/-0.071 each. The mean fractal dimensions of osteoporotic group on periapical and panoramic radiographs were 1.498+/-0.086, 1.388+/-0.083 each. The mean fractal dimension from peripaical radiographs of osteoporotic group was statistically significantly higher than that of normal group. The mean fractal dimension from panoramic radiographs of osteoporotic group was statistically significantly lower than that of normal group. CONCLUSION: Fractal analysis using periapical and panoramic radiographs was useful in predicting osteoporosis.
Bone Density ; Female ; Fractals ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Molar ; Osteoporosis

PURPOSE: To observe and evaluate the effects of Simvastatin-induced osteogenesis on the wound healing of defective bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 64 defective bones were created in the parietal bone of 32 New Zealand White rabbits. The defects were grafted with collagen matrix carriers mixed with Simvastatin solution in the experimental group of 16 rabbits and with collagen matrix carriers mixed with water in the controlled group. The rabbits were terminated at an interval of 3, 5, 7, and 9 days, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the formation of defective bone. The wound healing was evaluated by soft X-ray radiography. The tissues within defective bones were evaluated through the analysis of flow cytometry for the manifestation of Runx2 and Osteocalcin, and observed histopathologically by using H-E stain and Masson-Trichrome stain. RESULTS: 1. In the experimental group, flow cytometry revealed more manifestation of Runx2 at 5, 7, and 9 days and Osteocalcin at 2 weeks than in the controlled groups, but there was few difference in comparison with the controlled group. 2. In the experimental group, flow cytometry revealed considerably more cells and erythrocytes at 5, 7, and 9 days in comparison with the controlled group. 3. In the experimental group, soft x-ray radiography revealed the extended formation of trabeculation at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. 4. histopathological features of the experimental group showed more fibroblasts and newly formed vessels at 5 and 7 days, and the formation of osteoid tissues at 9 days, and the newly formed trabeculations at 4 and 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: As the induced osteogenesis by Simvastatin, there was few contrast of the manifestation between Runx2 and Osteocalcin based on the differentiation of osteoblasts. But it was considered that the more formation of cells and erythrocytes depending on newly formed vessels in the experimental group obviously had an effect on the bone regeneration.
Collagen ; Erythrocytes ; Fibroblasts ; Flow Cytometry ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Parietal Bone ; Rabbits ; Simvastatin ; Transplants ; Water ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of irradiation on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA expression and calcific nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cultured in alpha-minimum essential medium (alpha-MEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. When the cells reached the level of 70-80% confluence, culture media were changed with alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS, 5 mM beta-glycerol phosphate, and 50 microgram/mL ascorbic acid. Thereafter the cells were irradiated with a single dose of 2, 4, 6, 8 Gy at a dose rate of 1.5 Gy/min. The expression pattern of TGF-beta1 mRNA, calcium content and calcific nodule formation were examined on day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, respectively, after the irradiation. RESULTS: The amount of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. It also decreased on day 14 after irradiation of 6, 8 Gy, and decreased on day 21 after irradiation of 8 Gy. The amount of calcium deposition decreased significantly on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy (P.0.01) and showed a decreased tendency on day 14, 21 after irradiation of 4, 6, 8 Gy. The number of calcific nodules was decreased on day 7 after irradiation of 4, 8 Gy. CONCLUSION: Irradiation with a single dose of 4, 6, 8 Gy influences negatively the bone formation at the molecular level by affecting the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression that was associated with proliferation and the production of extracellular matrix in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Cell Line ; Culture Media ; Extracellular Matrix ; Glycerophosphates ; Organic Chemicals ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

PURPOSE: To compare the size of the masseter and lateral pterygoid muscle between the affected and the unaffected side of the patients who have the chief complaints of the mandibular asymmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty two patients (male: 4, female: 18, average age: 21.3 year-old) were radiographed using posterior-anterior (P-A) cephalography and computed tomography (CT). On P-A cephalography, the degree of deviation was determined by the distance from the mentum to the vertical reference line through the crista galli and the anterior nasal spine. On the scanned tracing papers of the maximum cross-sectional area of the masseter and lateral pterygoid muscle using axial CT images, the pixel number was measured. The ratio of the affected : unaffected sides were obtained. For the masseter and lateral pterygoid muscle, the relationship between the muscular volume and degree of skeletal hypoplasia was studied. RESULTS: The half cases showed no skeletal asymmetry. The lateral pterygoid muscle of the affected side was larger significantly than unaffected side (p.0.05). However, there was no significant difference between two sides in the cases of skeletal asymmetry. There was only significant difference in the cases without skeletal asymmetry (p.0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To some extent, the slight mandibular hypoplasia could affect the growth of some masticatory muscles.
Chin ; Facial Asymmetry ; Female ; Humans ; Masticatory Muscles* ; Pterygoid Muscles ; Spine