Are you Jaime Brahim?

Claim your profile

Publications (5)47.28 Total impact

  • Article: Kinin B<sub>1 </sub>receptors contributes to acute pain following minor surgery in humans
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Abstract Background Kinins play an important role in regulation of pain and hyperalgesia after tissue injury and inflammation by activating two types of G-protein-coupled receptors, the kinin B<sub>1 </sub>and B<sub>2 </sub>receptors. It is generally accepted that the B<sub>2 </sub>receptor is constitutively expressed, whereas the B<sub>1 </sub>receptor is induced in response to inflammation. However, little is known about the regulatory effects of kinin receptors on the onset of acute inflammation and inflammatory pain in humans. The present study investigated the changes in gene expression of kinin receptors and the levels of their endogenous ligands at an early time point following tissue injury and their relation to clinical pain, as well as the effect of COX-inhibition on their expression levels. Results Tissue injury resulted in a significant up-regulation in the gene expression of B<sub>1 </sub>and B<sub>2 </sub>receptors at 3 hours post-surgery, the onset of acute inflammatory pain. Interestingly, the up-regulation in the gene expression of B<sub>1 </sub>and B<sub>2 </sub>receptors was positively correlated to pain intensity only after ketorolac treatment, signifying an interaction between prostaglandins and kinins in the inflammatory pain process. Further, the gene expression of both B<sub>1 </sub>and B<sub>2 </sub>receptors were correlated. Following tissue injury, B<sub>1 </sub>ligands des-Arg<sup>9</sup>-BK and des-Arg<sup>10</sup>-KD were significantly lower at the third hour compared to the first 2 hours in both the placebo and the ketorolac treatment groups but did not differ significantly between groups. Tissue injury also resulted in the down-regulation of TRPV1 gene expression at 3 hours post-surgery with no significant effect by ketorolac treatment. Interestingly, the change in gene expression of TRPV1 was correlated to the change in gene expression of B<sub>1 </sub>receptor but not B<sub>2 </sub>receptor. Conclusions These results provide evidence at the transcriptional level in a clinical model of tissue injury that up-regulation of kinin receptors are involved in the development of the early phase of inflammation and inflammatory pain. The up-regulation of B<sub>1 </sub>receptors may contribute to acute inflammatory pain through TRPV1 activation.
    Molecular Pain. 01/2010;
  • Article: Skeletal site-specific characterization of orofacial and iliac crest human bone marrow stromal cells in same individuals.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Autologous grafts from axial and appendicular bones commonly used to repair orofacial bone defects often result in unfavorable outcome. This clinical observation, along with the fact that many bone abnormalities are limited to craniofacial bones, suggests that there are significant differences in bone metabolism in orofacial, axial and appendicular bones. It is plausible that these differences are dictated by site-specificity of embryological progenitor cells and osteogenic properties of resident multipotent human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs). This study investigated skeletal site-specific phenotypic and functional differences between orofacial (maxilla and mandible) and axial (iliac crest) hBMSCs in vitro and in vivo. Primary cultures of maxilla, mandible and iliac crest hBMSCs were established with and without osteogenic inducers. Site-specific characterization included colony forming efficiency, cell proliferation, life span before senescence, relative presence of surface markers, adipogenesis, osteogenesis and transplantation in immunocompromised mice to compare bone regenerative capacity. Compared with iliac crest cells, orofacial hBMSCs (OF-MSCs) proliferated more rapidly with delayed senescence, expressed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase and demonstrated more calcium accumulation in vitro. Cells isolated from the three skeletal sites were variably positive for STRO 1, a marker of hBMSCs. OF-MSCs formed more bone in vivo, while iliac crest hBMSCs formed more compacted bone that included hematopoietic tissue and were more responsive in vitro and in vivo to osteogenic and adipogenic inductions. These data demonstrate that hBMSCs from the same individuals differ in vitro and in vivo in a skeletal site-specific fashion and identified orofacial marrow stromal cells as unique cell populations. Further understanding of site-specific properties of hBMSCs and their impact on site-specific bone diseases and regeneration are needed.
    Bone 07/2006; 38(6):758-68. · 4.02 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Genetic polymorphisms in monoamine neurotransmitter systems show only weak association with acute post-surgical pain in humans.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Candidate gene studies on the basis of biological hypotheses have been a practical approach to identify relevant genetic variation in complex traits. Based on previous reports and the roles in pain pathways, we have examined the effects of variations of loci in the genes of monoamine neurotransmitter systems including metabolizing enzymes, receptors and transporters on acute clinical pain responses in humans. Variations in the catecholamine metabolizing enzyme genes (MAOA and COMT) showed significant associations with the maximum post-operative pain rating while the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) showed association with the onset time of post-operative pain. Analgesic onset time after medication was significantly associated with the norepinephrine transporter gene (SLC6A2). However, the association between COMT genetic variation and pain sensitivity in our study differ from previous studies with small sample sizes, population stratification and pain phenotype derived from combining different types of pain stimuli. Correcting for multiple comparisons did not sustain these genetic associations between monoamine neurotransmitter systems and pain sensitivity even in this large and homogeneous sample. These results suggest that the previously reported associations between genetic polymorphisms in the monoamine neurotransmitter systems and the interindividual variability in pain responses cannot be replicated in a clinically relevant pain phenotype.
    Molecular Pain 02/2006; 2:24. · 3.53 Impact Factor
  • Article: Dental characteristics of fibrous dysplasia and McCune-Albright syndrome.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a skeletal disorder often associated with McCune-Albright syndrome, a rare multisystem disorder caused by GNAS1 gene mutation. FD frequently affects the craniofacial bones, including the maxilla and the mandible; nevertheless, its effects on dental tissues and the implications for dental care remain unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the dental features associated with FD and the reaction of affected bones to routine dental therapy. Study design Thirty-two patients with FD underwent dental evaluation and endocrine testing as part of the diagnosis of FD/McCune-Albright syndrome. Any dental anomalies were recorded, and the associations between endocrinopathies and dental anomalies were analyzed statistically by means of the paired t test. Eighty-four percent had FD in the maxilla and/or mandible; endocrine dysfunction; and/or renal phosphate wasting. The caries index scores were 2.9 (ages 4-17 years) and 9.6 (ages 18-50 years). Malocclusion (81%) and other prevalent dental anomalies (41%) included tooth rotation, oligodontia, and taurodontism. The expansion of the maxilla or mandible by FD did not distort the dental arch curvature, and routine dental therapies such as extractions, restorations, and orthodontic treatment did not exacerbate FD lesions. Maxillomandibular FD was associated with higher rates of caries and malocclusion than were present in healthy patients. Furthermore, patients with FD did not require special dental management and were able to undergo routine dental care without an exacerbation of FD lesions.
    Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Oral Radiology and Endodontics 10/2003; 96(3):275-82. · 1.46 Impact Factor
  • Article: Investigation of multipotent postnatal stem cells from human periodontal ligament.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Periodontal diseases that lead to the destruction of periodontal tissues--including periodontal ligament (PDL), cementum, and bone--are a major cause of tooth loss in adults and are a substantial public-health burden worldwide. PDL is a specialised connective tissue that connects cementum and alveolar bone to maintain and support teeth in situ and preserve tissue homoeostasis. We investigated the notion that human PDL contains stem cells that could be used to regenerate periodontal tissue. PDL tissue was obtained from 25 surgically extracted human third molars and used to isolate PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) by single-colony selection and magnetic activated cell sorting. Immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR, and northern and western blot analyses were used to identify putative stem-cell markers. Human PDLSCs were transplanted into immunocompromised mice (n=12) and rats (n=6) to assess capacity for tissue regeneration and periodontal repair. Findings PDLSCs expressed the mesenchymal stem-cell markers STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18. Under defined culture conditions, PDLSCs differentiated into cementoblast-like cells, adipocytes, and collagen-forming cells. When transplanted into immunocompromised rodents, PDLSCs showed the capacity to generate a cementum/PDL-like structure and contribute to periodontal tissue repair. Our findings suggest that PDL contains stem cells that have the potential to generate cementum/PDL-like tissue in vivo. Transplantation of these cells, which can be obtained from an easily accessible tissue resource and expanded ex vivo, might hold promise as a therapeutic approach for reconstruction of tissues destroyed by periodontal diseases.
    The Lancet 364(9429):149-55. · 38.28 Impact Factor