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Scientists discover possible new weapon in the fight against gum disease

New research suggests that melanocortin agonism could represent an innovative way to tame inflammation, and at the same time, preserve periodontal bone after infection

Date:
August 17, 2016
Source:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Summary:
If you hate going to the dentist, here's some good news. New research shows that melanocortin agonism may effectively control the inflammation that often occurs in gum tissue.
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If you hate going to the dentist, here's some good news. New research published online in The FASEB Journal, shows that melanocortin agonism may effectively control the inflammation that often occurs in gum tissue, which when unchecked, ultimately accelerates tooth and bone loss. This research involving mice, opens the door to a new class of treatments for gum disease.

"Controlling inflammation during gum disease is a key step to avoid alveolar bone resorption, tooth loss and, thus, improve the quality of life of patients," said Mila Madeira, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Microbiology at the Biologic Science Institute at the Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

To make their discovery, Madeira and colleagues used several groups of mice. The first group was infected with bacteria related to gum disease and then treated them with a melanocortin agonist. The second group had no infection. The third group was infected, but not treated. The final group was infected but treated with a placebo. Melanocortin agonism was associated with reduced alveolar bone resorption and less inflammation, a critical feature to be controlled in gum diseases.

"Attenuation of the inflammatory axis of periodontal pathology cannot be overstated in its importance ," said Thoru Pederson, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "These findings provide an entirely new approach to this highly prevalent condition."


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Materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Mila F. M. Madeira, Celso M. Queiroz-Junior, Trinidad Montero-Melendez, Silvia M. C. Werneck, Jôice D. Corrêa, Frederico M. Soriani, Gustavo P. Garlet, Daniele G. Souza, Mauro M. Teixeira, Tarcilia A. Silva, and Mauro Perretti. Melanocortin agonism as a viable strategy to control alveolar bone loss induced by oral infection. The FASEB Journal, 2016 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600790R

Cite This Page:

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Scientists discover possible new weapon in the fight against gum disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 August 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160817132105.htm>.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (2016, August 17). Scientists discover possible new weapon in the fight against gum disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160817132105.htm
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Scientists discover possible new weapon in the fight against gum disease." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160817132105.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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