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That had disappointingly little content. Mouth wounds heal faster because of background saliva, but why?

by euler_ 9y ago

Jtsummers 9y ago
Seriously. It feels like the article ends in the middle of a thought.
bookofjoe 9y ago
"And it contains histatins, which not only kill bacteria but have been shown to speed wound closure independent of antibacterial action."
bookofjoe 9y ago
Histatins: antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential ABSTRACT Histatins are a group of antimicrobial peptides, found in the saliva of man and some higher primates, which possess antifungal properties. Histatins bind to a receptor on the fungal cell membrane and enter the cytoplasm where they target the mitochondrion. They induce the non-lytic loss of ATP from actively respiring cells, which can induce cell death. In addition, they have been shown to disrupt the cell cycle and lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Their mode of action is distinct from those exhibited by the conventional azole and polyene drugs, hence histatins may have applications in controlling drug-resistant fungal infections. The possibility of utilising histatins for the control of fungal infections of the oral cavity is being actively pursued with the antifungal properties of topical histatin preparations and histatin-impregnated denture acrylic being evaluated. Initial clinical studies are encouraging, having demonstrated the safety and efficacy of histatin preparations in blocking the adherence of the yeast Candida albicans to denture acrylic, retarding plaque formation and reducing the severity of gingivitis. Histatins may represent a new generation of antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of oral fungal infections and have the advantage, compared with conventional antifungal agents, of being a normal component of human saliva with no apparent adverse effects on host tissues and having a mode of action distinct to azole and polyene antifungals. Kavanagh, Kevin and Dowd, Susan (2004) Histatins: antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 56. http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/354/1/R03014.pdf http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/354/1/R03014.pdf
- bookofjoe 9y ago
  Histatins are the major wound-closure stimulating factors in human saliva as identified in a cell culture assay ABSTRACT Wounds in the oral cavity heal much faster than skin lesions. Among other factors, saliva is generally assumed to be of relevance to this feature. Rodent saliva contains large amounts of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). In humans, however, the identity of the involved compounds has remained elusive, especially since EGF and NGF concentrations are ∼100,000 times lower than those in rodent saliva. Using an in vitro model for wound closure, we examined the properties of human saliva and the fractions that were obtained from saliva by high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC) separation. We identified histatin 1 (Hst1) and histatin 2 (Hst2) as major wound-closing factors in human saliva. In contrast, the d-enantiomer of Hst2 did not induce wound closure, indicating stereospecific activation. Furthermore, histatins were actively internalized by epithelial cells and specifically used the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, thereby enhancing epithelial migration. This study demonstrates that members of the histatin family, which up to now were implicated in the antifungal weaponry of saliva, exert a novel function that likely is relevant for oral wound healing. Oudhoff, M. J., Bolscher, J. G. M., Nazmi, K., Kalay, H., van 't Hof, W., Nieuw Amerongen, A. V., Veerman, E. C. I. http://www.fasebj.org/doi/pdf/10.1096/fj.08-112003 http://www.fasebj.org/doi/pdf/10.1096/fj.08-112003
  - euler_ 9y ago
    Thanks for the information! After reading the abstracts, I still have two question. 1. It sounds like the mechanism for killing cells is very general. Why do histatins not attack somatic cells? 2. Do mouth wounds simply heal faster because the mouth is cleaner?
    - IntronExon 9y ago
      The cells lining the entire upper GI are exposed to digestive enzymes, and are perforce replaced rapidly and constantly. Until bicarbonate rich bile is added to the mixture in the duodenum, those enzymes (and acids) eat your own cells too. Chemotherapy plays havoc with your GI tract because it selectively kills cells which rapidly divide. As for histamines, mast cells are designed to respond to them and rupture as part of your inflammatory cycle. They release more cytokines, recruiting neutrophils and in general telling your immune system to attack.

That had disappointingly little content. Mouth wounds heal faster because of background saliva, but why?

by euler_ 9y ago

That had disappointingly little content. Mouth wounds heal faster because of background saliva, but why?

Jtsummers 9y ago

Seriously. It feels like the article ends in the middle of a thought.

bookofjoe 9y ago

"And it contains histatins, which not only kill bacteria but have been shown to speed wound closure independent of antibacterial action."

bookofjoe 9y ago

Histatins: antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential ABSTRACT Histatins are a group of antimicrobial peptides, found in the saliva of man and some higher primates, which possess antifungal properties. Histatins bind to a receptor on the fungal cell membrane and enter the cytoplasm where they target the mitochondrion. They induce the non-lytic loss of ATP from actively respiring cells, which can induce cell death. In addition, they have been shown to disrupt the cell cycle and lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Their mode of action is distinct from those exhibited by the conventional azole and polyene drugs, hence histatins may have applications in controlling drug-resistant fungal infections. The possibility of utilising histatins for the control of fungal infections of the oral cavity is being actively pursued with the antifungal properties of topical histatin preparations and histatin-impregnated denture acrylic being evaluated. Initial clinical studies are encouraging, having demonstrated the safety and efficacy of histatin preparations in blocking the adherence of the yeast Candida albicans to denture acrylic, retarding plaque formation and reducing the severity of gingivitis. Histatins may represent a new generation of antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of oral fungal infections and have the advantage, compared with conventional antifungal agents, of being a normal component of human saliva with no apparent adverse effects on host tissues and having a mode of action distinct to azole and polyene antifungals. Kavanagh, Kevin and Dowd, Susan (2004) Histatins: antimicrobial peptides with therapeutic potential. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 56. http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/354/1/R03014.pdf http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/354/1/R03014.pdf

bookofjoe 9y ago
Histatins are the major wound-closure stimulating factors in human saliva as identified in a cell culture assay ABSTRACT Wounds in the oral cavity heal much faster than skin lesions. Among other factors, saliva is generally assumed to be of relevance to this feature. Rodent saliva contains large amounts of growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). In humans, however, the identity of the involved compounds has remained elusive, especially since EGF and NGF concentrations are ∼100,000 times lower than those in rodent saliva. Using an in vitro model for wound closure, we examined the properties of human saliva and the fractions that were obtained from saliva by high-performance liquid chromotography (HPLC) separation. We identified histatin 1 (Hst1) and histatin 2 (Hst2) as major wound-closing factors in human saliva. In contrast, the d-enantiomer of Hst2 did not induce wound closure, indicating stereospecific activation. Furthermore, histatins were actively internalized by epithelial cells and specifically used the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, thereby enhancing epithelial migration. This study demonstrates that members of the histatin family, which up to now were implicated in the antifungal weaponry of saliva, exert a novel function that likely is relevant for oral wound healing. Oudhoff, M. J., Bolscher, J. G. M., Nazmi, K., Kalay, H., van 't Hof, W., Nieuw Amerongen, A. V., Veerman, E. C. I. http://www.fasebj.org/doi/pdf/10.1096/fj.08-112003 http://www.fasebj.org/doi/pdf/10.1096/fj.08-112003
- euler_ 9y ago
  Thanks for the information! After reading the abstracts, I still have two question. 1. It sounds like the mechanism for killing cells is very general. Why do histatins not attack somatic cells? 2. Do mouth wounds simply heal faster because the mouth is cleaner?
  - IntronExon 9y ago
    The cells lining the entire upper GI are exposed to digestive enzymes, and are perforce replaced rapidly and constantly. Until bicarbonate rich bile is added to the mixture in the duodenum, those enzymes (and acids) eat your own cells too. Chemotherapy plays havoc with your GI tract because it selectively kills cells which rapidly divide. As for histamines, mast cells are designed to respond to them and rupture as part of your inflammatory cycle. They release more cytokines, recruiting neutrophils and in general telling your immune system to attack.