Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase)
 4,237 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Specific glycosidase activities were determined in samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) collected from eight predetermined sites in two groups, each of 20 adult patients, with either gingivitis or periodontitis. The total activities (as units of enzyme activity per sample) of alpha-L-fucosidase, sialidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase and alpha-glucosidase were significantly greater in the periodontitis group. In contrast, the total beta-mannosidase and hexosaminidase A activities were significantly greater in the gingivitis group, while there was no significant difference in the total alpha-mannosidase activity between the groups. Only the specific activities (as units of enzyme activity per min per microliter of GCF) of beta-mannosidase and hexosaminidase A were significantly different between the groups being greater in the gingivitis group. When used to predict the clinical status of individual periodontal sites, the total enzyme activities had specificity and sensitivity values of 91.9 and 61.3%, respectively. Measurement of glycosidase activities might thus have a role in monitoring the efficacy of periodontal treatment or in predicting future periodontal disease but this will require further investigation.
 ...
PMID:Glycosidase activities in gingival crevicular fluid in subjects with adult periodontitis or gingivitis. 161 Mar 3

Since they are found to be increased in lesions of acute necrotic ulcerative gingivitis or marginal periodontitis, agents for these diseases. In the present study, 38 pure cultured strains were obtained as a result of isolation and culture of samples collected from lesions of marginal periodontitis (periodontal pokets), and the biological and biochemical characteristics of these strains were investigated. 1) Light microscopy (including dark-field microscopy) and transmission electron microscopy (negative staining) were used for observation of the morphology and cellular structure of the strains. The cells had a spiral shape, and showed active movement. Based on the above findings the cultured strains were all confirmed to be spirochetes of small to medium size, being 0.08-0.24 micron in width. 2) Growth and motility of the strains were investigated on various types of culture medium. Intense growth and movement were noted in strains cultured in bovine liver exudate medium containing horse serum (pH 7.2) at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions produced by the evacuation-replacement method (95% N2, 5% CO2) for 3-7 days after inoculation. 3) Thirty-five strains were positive for indole production and decomposition of urea, mucin, hippuric acid and esculin. Production of hydrogen sulfied was observed in 31 strains. In decomposition tests for 17 carbohydrates, 17 strains were positive for galactose and 14 strains were positive for glucose, while 11 strains were positive for dextrin and 10 strains for fructose upon decomposition of soluble starch. Other carbohydrates were also decomposed by a few strains. 4) In an investigation of the production of alcohol and lower fatty acids, among the metabolic products detected by gas chromatography, a large amount of acetic acid and small amounts of ethanol, lactic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid were observed. 5) The results of enzyme activity tests using an API ZYM system indicated relatively high activities of esterase, esterase-lipase, alpha-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and acid phosphatase.
 ...
PMID:[Biological and biochemical characteristics of the oral spirochetes isolated from the focus of marginal periodontitis]. 276 48

Pomegranate components have properties that could promote oral health, including reducing the risk of gingivitis. The present study examined young adults (n = 32, split evenly among both genders), for the effects of 4 weeks of thrice daily mouth rinsing with the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extract PomElla dissolved in water. This treatment changed salivary measures relevant to oral health including gingivitis. The changes were: reduced total protein (which can correlate with plaque forming bacteria readings), reduced activities of aspartate aminotransferase (an indicator of cell injury), reduced alpha-glucosidase activity (a sucrose degrading enzyme), increased activities of the antioxidant enzyme ceruloplasmin (which could give better protection against oral oxidant stress) and increased radical scavenging capacity (though this increase was significant only by nonparametric statistical analysis). A placebo of cornstarch in water did not affect these measures. These data raise the possibility of using pomegranate extracts in oral health products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes.
 ...
PMID:Pomegranate extract mouth rinsing effects on saliva measures relevant to gingivitis risk. 1917 Jan 39