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- Title
A PROGRAM FOR DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF PERIODONTITIS FOR ASTRONAUTS DURING LONG-TERM SPACE TRAVEL.
- Authors
Pfützner, Andreas; Sampson, Victoria; Neefs, Dirk
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Long-term space travel exposes participating astronauts to development of periodontal problems, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. METHOD: The aim of this prevention, monitoring and treatment program is to maintain oral health and prevent loss of teeth during long-term space travel. The program is based on a diagnostic technology, which can be conducted under non-gravity conditions: a diagnostic device for assessment of active matrix-metalloproteinase 8 (aMMP-8). It shall be used in combination with effective anti-bacterial treatment methods. aMMP8 is a collagenolytic enzyme involved in the pathophysiology of periodontitis. It cleaves the tight junctions in the periodontal tissues enabling bacteria and viruses to penetrate and destroy the periodontal connective tissue. RESULTS: Elevated aMMP-8 assessed in saliva is an indicator for the destructive processes leading to periodontitis. This biomarker and risk factor can easily be measured by means of a lateral-flow-based home use test. Preventive and treatment measures should target to lower the aMM8-concentrations in saliva to normal levels. Prevention includes normal measures of oral health, such as regular cleaning of the teeth and use of disinfecting liquids. Treatment of stable chronic periodontitis can be conducted by several methods, including but not limited to antibacterial treatments, regular application of chlorohexidine, photodynamic therapies, and combinations thereof, e.g. a combination of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and antibacterial blue light (aBL), which has already shown substantial efficacy in home use trials. The suggested diagnostic method, measurement of aMMP-8 in saliva, has been selected as it is fully representative for the ongoing destructive collagenolytic process and can be used to monitor treatment success, only requires minor and small sized equipment, and does not involve gravity for successful operation. The most suitable treatment options need to be identified based on similar criteria. CONCLUSIONs: Results from clinical trials suggest that measurement of aMMP8 may significantly help to maintain oral health even during planned long-term space trips to Mars or other planets of our solar system. Learning Objectives 1. To understand the active role of aMMP-8 in the pathophysiology of periodontitis and the functionality of measurement of elevated aMMP-8 in saliva to serve as diagnostic (risk indicater and treatment monitoring biomarker). 2. To understand the predictive value of aMMP-8 for periodontitis development. 3. To understand the importance of implementing assessment measures of oral health during long-term space trips.
- Subjects
SPACE flight; PERIODONTITIS; SPACE tourism; ASTRONAUTS; BLUE light; MARS (Planet)
- Publication
Aerospace Medicine & Human Performance, 2024, Vol 95, Issue 8, p567
- ISSN
2375-6314
- Publication type
Article