Abstracts of Papers

· Below is a corrected version of an abstrace that appeared in J Dent Res 80(Spec Iss): 143, 2001.

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Determination of the Taurine Content of the Submandibular Gland in Rat: Effect of Cholinergic Drugs. MAHMOOD S. MOZAFFARI^* (Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, MCG School of Dentistry, Augusta, GA, USA). Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in mammalin cells including those of the heart and the kidney. A number of physiological roles have been attributed to taurine, one of the most important being osmoregulation. The production and secretion of saliva constitute osmoregulatory processes whereby the plasma-like primary saliva becomes hypotonic prior to secrtion. Thus, it is plausoble to suggest a role for taurine in salivary gland function. Therefore, one objective of this study was to determine tissue content of taurine in the submandibular gland of rat in reference to those of the heart and the kidney. Further, we determined whether chronic treatment with the muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine (5 mg/kb/day for 6 days; n=5) or the muscarinic recepto antagonist propantheline (20 mg/kg/day for 6 days; n=5) affects the submandibular gland taurine content. The submandibular gland and the kidney contained nearly similat amounts of taurine (8.9 ± 0.3 vs. µmoles/g wet wt., respectively; n=5); the heart contained significantly more taurine than either of the other two tissues (24.7 ± 1.2 µmoles/g wet wt., n=5; p<0.05). Further, while pilocarpine treatment tended to decrease the submandibular gland taurine content, the propantheline-treated rats displayed a significant decrease in tissue taurine content, the propantheline-treated rates displayed a significant decrease in tissue taurine content compared to the control rats (p<0.05). In conclusion, the submandibular gland contains an appreciable amount of taurine that is decreased by chronic muscarinic receptor blockade. Supported by a grant form the Taisho Pharmaceutical Company of Japan.

· Below is an abstract that was added to the program for the 79th IADR General Session & Exhibition (Chiba, Japan) after the abstracts book was printed.

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Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer Cement Luted Ceramic Inlays. JWV van DIJKEN^*, (Dental School Umeå, Sweden). Resin composites, conventional and resin-modified glass ionomer cements have been used recently in conjuction with placement of ceramic restorations. However, cases of fracture of ceramic restorations luted with resin-modified glass ionomer cement have been reported. This study evaluated and compared IPS Empress ceramic inlays luted with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji Plus, GC Dental Ind Corp) and a resin composite cement (Panavia 21, Kuraray Co.). Seventy-nine ceramic inlays were placed in Class II cavities in 29 patient half of the inlays were luted with Fuji Plus and the other half with Panavia 21. The inlays were evaluated clinically, according to modified USPHS criteria (van Dijken 1986), at baseline, after 6 months, 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. At 4 years, only one partial fracture was observed in a resin composite luted inlay. No recurrent caries was observed. IPS Empress inlays luted with both cements functioned satisfactory throughout the four year evaluation perod. Ceramic inlays luted with the resin-modified glass ionomer cement used in this study (Fuji Plus) did not fracture, suggesting that previous studies of this kind of cement can be reconsidered.