From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-09-13 15:06:59 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] a small study, periodontal disease re: too little melatonin
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Now, HERE is a weird question based on the press release below: are ferret=
who show with periodontal disease more likely to be ones that have shown o=
r will show with adrenal disease? =
BTW, we have never had periodontal disease in any of our ferrets despite de=
cades with them, and when I looked for people reporting actual cases of per=
iodontal disease to the FHL the number was very low (but the number of peop=
le warning about it was high which indicates to me a healthy awareness and =
probably precautions taken). My own suspicion is that low number reflects =
ferret people being more aware of dental needs. On page 273 of the second =
edition of the vet text, _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_ a semi-soft d=
iet is blamed for most of such cases, and the old milk and bread routine wa=
s linked to a number of cases in that text. Not many people feed semi-soft=
foods any longer, and people are more aware of dental care. A check of th=
ree other vet texts found it not even mentioned for ferrets (though one, wh=
ich is a broader text, does mention it in rabbits) so hopefully that means =
that actual cases really are rare even beyond the FHL membership. =
Compared to humans who need to brush at least 3 times a day ferrets sure ma=
ke out well. In a quarter century we not only have never had a ferret with=
periodontal disease but have only had four ferret adult teeth out that I c=
an recall. One was erupted in the wrong location and was lacerating his to=
ngue so came out when he was a kit, one was cracked in an accident and deve=
loped an abscess, and the last two belonged to a female who was prone to ea=
sily getting plaque so we had her have extra cleanings at the vet's to prot=
ect her dental health best and her gums remained healthy as a result. =
There are some medical conditions which can lead to periodontal disease. T=
hose are mentioned in the archives, I think. =
I think there is also some info in the archives -- having encountered some =
studies on the topic in my regular checks of PM, Eurekalert!, etc. -- on w=
hich bacteria can cause periodontal disease, but I don't know how many of t=
hose types of bacteria ferrets can get.
Anyway, the body produces melatonin in response to darkness, and the amount=
is partly dependent on the degree of darkness. Adding any light at all re=
ally decreases the amount of melatonin. It looks like ferrets should alway=
s have access to dark areas -- as easily done as providing sleep sacks tha=
t are dark in closets' darkest corners, bedding under furniture that has a =
black towel draped over the openings, cage covers and nesting boxes, etc. -=
-- and that about 14 hours of darkness in each 24 may be optimal. (For mo=
re info see the archives.)
It is already known that anything which increases the body's production of =
LH and FSH leads to adrenal disease in ferrets. (Again, see archives.) To=
o little melatonin causes an increase in LH and FSH. There is currently a =
hypothesis with some data supporting it, though not complete that too much =
FSH circulating in the body causes bone loss; it would be interesting if so=
me periodontal disease might start from the bone outward. Melatonin serves=
quite a number of other useful bodily functions as well. BTW, I don't kno=
w if the nature of its high presence in marrow has yet been explained. (Al=
so, there is currently a new debate about melatonin in relation to existing=
insulinoma and diabetes because it appears to perhaps play parts in confli=
cting roles in the pancreas so it might be best avoided for some who alread=
y have pancreatic diseases but might be useful for other individuals who do=
-- that is an open question right now so if pancreatic disease is present =
it might be best to try oral melatonin instead of the implant until it is k=
nown how the individual responds or until more is known. It might even be =
that having enough darkness (i.e. circulating melatonin in the body) might =
even help reduce the risk of pancreatic disease, but this also is still jus=
t a hypothesis based on the same types of still early pancreatic endocrinol=
ogical info, so always use a grain of salt with hypotheses.)
So, since too little circulating melatonin in the body is perhaps connected=
to periodontal disease from this small study, and is known from many studi=
es to be a player in ferrets' adrenal disease in general, are cases of peri=
odontal disease more common in ferrets who also present with adrenal diseas=
e?
BEGIN QUOTED PRESS RELEASE
Public release date: 12-Sep-2006
Contact: Kerry Gutshall
kerry@perio.org
312-573-3243
American Academy of Periodontology
Salivary melatonin may decrease periodontal disease severity according to n=
ew study findings
Researchers studied the relationship between salivary melatonin levels and =
the community periodontal index score used to assess periodontal disease st=
atus
CHICAGO =96 Salivary melatonin may play an important role in maintaining pe=
riodontal health, according to a new study published in the Journal of Peri=
odontology. This is one of the first attempts to examine the influence of s=
alivary melatonin upon periodontal disease, an inflammation that destroys t=
he tissues and bone that support the teeth.
Researchers found that melatonin, a hormone created by the pineal gland, ma=
y be able to protect the oral cavity against free radicals produced by infl=
ammatory diseases. Melatonin has strong antioxidant effects that can protec=
t cells against inflammatory processes and oxidative damage. Melatonin supp=
lements are commonly promoted to ease jet lag and hasten sleep.
"Patients with higher salivary and melatonin ratios had lower community per=
iodontal index (CPI). CPI is the score used to assess periodontal status," =
said Pablo Galindo, DDS, Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dentistry, U=
niversity of Granada, Spain. "This finding suggests that the melatonin may =
fight against infection and inflammation possibly due to its antioxidant, a=
nti-aging and immunoenhancing ability."
It was also observed that older patients had lower saliva volumes and melat=
onin ratios and higher CPI scores compared to younger patients with increas=
ed salivary and melatonin levels and decreased CPI scores.
"Further research is required to fully explain the relationship between mel=
atonin and its influence on periodontal health," said Kenneth A. Krebs, DMD=
and AAP president.. "Until we know more, it's important for people to talk=
to their dental professional about the state of their periodontal health. =
Periodontal disease and dental decay are the primary causes of adult tooth =
loss."
STUDY BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Thirty-seven patients with different degrees of periodontal disease were st=
udied. The mean age was 55 and included 21 females and 16 males. All partic=
ipants underwent a medical and dental examination. Salivary and plasma mela=
tonin levels and CPI status were collected from each patient.
For more information including a referral to a periodontist or a free broch=
ure entitled Periodontal Diseases: What You Need to Know, visit the AAP web=
site at www.perio.org or call toll-free at 800/FLOSS-EM (800.356-7736).
The American Academy of Periodontology is an 8,000-member association of de=
ntal professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment =
of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth and i=
n the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontics is one of =
nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
A copy of the JOP article "Relationship Between Salivary Melatonin and Seve=
rity of Periodontal Disease" is available to the media by contacting the AA=
P Public Affairs Department at 312/573-3243. The public and/or non-AAP memb=
ers can view a study abstract online, and the full-text of the study may be=
accessed online for $20.00 at http://www.joponline.org/.
END QUOTED PRESS RELEASE
-- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my private po=
sts)
Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love them:
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
AFIP Ferret Pathology
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
Miamiferrets
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
International Ferret Congress Critical References
http://www.ferretcongress.org
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