New teeth created from urine in stem cell lab

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Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 30 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
New teeth created from urine in stem cell lab

Stem cell research is opening up the way for new teeth "grown" from an unlikely source - human urine.

Chinese researchers describe how stem cells derived from urine could be used to generate solid organs and tissues, including teeth. Their study is published this week in the open-access journal Cell Regeneration. The researchers hope the technique might one day help provide new, tailor-made teeth for dental patients.

Previous stem cell research has shown how cells can be generated from urine. It is also known that cells discarded with urea can become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can then generate many different cell types, including neurons and heart muscle cells.

Duanqing Pei and his colleagues from Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, and other Chinese universities have developed a novel chimeric tissue culture system that can coax these iPSCs into tiny structures that resemble teeth.

Their system mimics normal tooth development, which results from an interaction between two different cell types: epithelial cells, producing enamel, and mesenchymal cells, which generate the other three main tooth components of dentin, cementum and pulp.

Stem cells could one day be used to 'grow' new teeth

?First, the team used chemicals to coax the cultured iPSCs into flat sheets of epithelial cells. They then mixed these cells with mouse embryonic mesenchymal cells, and transplanted them into mice.

Three weeks later, formations had grown that physically and structurally resembled human teeth. They are of roughly the same elasticity, and contain pulp, dentin and enamel-forming cells.

Though these structures are a new achievement, the method involves mouse cells, has a success rate of just 30% and the structures produced are only about one-third as hard as human teeth.

?To resolve these issues, the team say human mesenchymal stem cells could be substituted for mouse ones and the tissue culture conditions tweaked. In theory, this revised method could create a bioengineered tooth bud, cultured in a jar and then transplanted into the jawbone of a human patient to form a fully functional tooth.

?iPSCs remain a great source of hope for regenerative medicine. Not only do they avoid the controversial use of embryos, but they also come from a more readily accessible source than even cultured skin and blood. Furthermore, cells generated by this method cannot be rejected by the human immune system, being derived from the host's own cellular material.

Written by: Nick Valentine

Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Visit our dentistry section for the latest news on this subject. "Generation of tooth-like structures from integration-free human urine-induced pluripotent stem cells," Cell Regeneration, published online 30 July 2013. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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Cat Oral Health 6 Steps to Healthy Teeth

Before being a cat owner many people don't give two seconds of considered to cat oral health. It is more probably for any dog to possess foul breath, which means term "dog breath", therefore we tend to be more likely to give consideration for their oral health over our feline buddies. For the cat to become healthy she needs clean, sharp teeth and healthy nicotine gums. Give consideration for your cat's oral health and stick to the steps below for perfect feline white teeth!

1) Smell your cat's breath. Felines are more compact creatures so it can be hard to smell their mouth from the couple of ft away, unlike dogs. The odor of her breath shouldn't be offensive, if it's, she might have gum problems that needs to be checked out with a vet. Stinky breath may also signal bloating.

2) Check nicotine gums completely. Simultaneously that you simply check her breath, you should check her nicotine gums too. You'll have to lightly push the lips back for the greatest view. The nicotine gums ought to be firm and pink and whitened red-colored colors and swelling can pinpoint dental problems.

3) Be aware of signs and symptoms of mouth problems.  Your cat's teeth ought to be neat and free of brown tartar, and none ought to be loose or damaged. Watch out for the following signs that may indicate problems in her own mouth:

 Dark red-colored lines across the nicotine gums

 Red-colored and inflamed nicotine gums

 Stomach problems on nicotine gums or tongue

 Loose teeth

 Difficulty eating food

 Excessive drooling

 Excessive pawing at orally

Should you cat is showing these signs, you need to bring her to some vet immediately. Despite the fact that the issue might be small, it is advisable to eliminate serious problems like gingivitis and gums and teeth. Staying away from these signs and symptoms can lead to loss of tooth, lack of ability to consume as well as internal conditions for example kidney disease.

4) Make use of a dental facial cleanser like a gel, spray or mouthwash and brush.

5) Supply your cat with chew toys or dental chew goodies. All felines enjoy playing and want to fulfill their natural need to chew. Chew toys can have the desired effect, whilst making her teeth strong. You may also make use of a dental cleansing treat for example .

6) Keep on the top of her diet.  Some felines tend to be more prone to mouth problems than the others. You will find special cat meals for felines with dental issues. You are able to request a vet to recommend the very best food for the pet.

By using many of these steps, you'll be on the right path to keeping on the top of the cat's oral health.

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