METHODS: L-arginine (2 % w/v.) was added to five commercial fancy waters: Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint, Perrier-Lemon, Perrier-Grapefruit, Pellegrino-Lemon; and deionized water served as a negative control. The pH, buffer capacity of added Arg, and F- concentrations were measured. Tooth specimens were prepared and baseline volumetric assessment (T0) was conducted using micro-CT. Subsequently, the specimens were immersed in fancy waters for 72 h, kept in an incubator (37 ℃) and solutions were changed every 24 h. After the experimental cycle (T1), 3D volumetric analysis was performed, and 3D structural images were reconstructed for qualitative assessment.
RESULTS: The pH and F- concentrations of fancy waters with Arg were significantly higher than the control (p < 0.001). The buffer capacity of added Arg with Perrier-Grapefruit was significantly higher than Oasis-Lemon, Oasis-Lemon Mint & Pellegrino-Lemon (p < 0.05), except for Perrier-Lemon (p > 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume in Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than T0 (p < 0.05). At T1, the specimen volume of Oasis-Lemon Mint and Pellegrino-Lemon (control) was significantly lower than Arg-containing fancy waters (p < 0.05). Surface contrast indicating wear was evident from T0 to T1 in specimens from the Oasis-Lemon Mint (+/- Arg) and Pellegrino-Lemon (- Arg).
CONCLUSION: Incorporating Arg in fancy waters reduces the potential of erosive tooth wear associated with these beverages.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Consuming fancy water beverages (flavoured sparkling/carbonated) can lead to erosive tooth wear in young people. Incorporating Arg in fancy water beverages can prevent the erosive wear potential of these beverages while alleviating the burden of oral care on individuals at risk to erosive wear.
OBJECTIVE: The study examines the effect of F. deltoidea on bone histomorphometric parameters, oxidative stress, and turnover markers in diabetic rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6 animals per group) received one of the following treatments via gavage for 8 weeks: saline (diabetic control), metformin (1000 mg/kg bwt), and methanol leaves extract of F. deltoidea (1000 mg/kg bwt). A group of healthy rats served as normal control. The femoral bones were excised and scanned ex vivo using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for histomorphometric analysis. The serum levels of insulin, oxidative stress, and bone turnover markers were determined by ELISA assays.
RESULTS: Treatment of diabetic rats with F. deltoidea could significantly increase bone mineral density (BMD) (from 526.98 ± 11.87 to 637.74 ± 3.90). Higher levels of insulin (2.41 ± 0.08 vs. 1.58 ± 0.16), osteocalcin (155.66 ± 4.11 vs. 14.35 ± 0.97), and total bone n-3 PUFA (2.34 ± 0.47 vs. 1.44 ± 0.18) in parallel with the presence of chondrocyte hypertrophy were also observed following F. deltoidea treatment compared to diabetic control.
CONCLUSIONS: F. deltoidea could prevent diabetic osteoporosis by enhancing osteogenesis and inhibiting bone oxidative stress. These findings support the potential use of F. deltoidea for osteoporosis therapy in diabetes.