Buccodental health and oral mucositis. Clinical study in patients with hematological diseases

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to assess whether a good buccodental status (evaluated by means of dentogingival indices), is associated with a lower incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients with hematological diseases who receive treatment with chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant. Study design: The study was carried out on 97 patients admitted to the Hematology Service of the Hospital Duran y Reynals in Barcelona during 2002-2003. These patients received treatment with chemotherapy or conditioning prior to bone marrow transplant. A descriptive study was made, analyzing oral hygiene, one dental index, and two gingivales indices, and evaluating their relationship with the appearance of mucositis. Results: The patients with high plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices during chemotherapy presented a higher percentage of mucositis (77.4% and 65.7% respectively) against those who had little or no visible plaque. In the case of the PI, the differences were statistically significant (p=0.015). Likewise, patients who brushed their teeth 3 times/day presented mucositis in only 26.7% of cases, against those who did not brush, or brushed only once a day (65.9% and 68.4%), these differences also being statistically significant (p=0.013). The CAO showed similar results in patients with or without mucositis (7.59 and 7.03 respectively). Conclusions: In our study, a good gingival status as well as good oral hygiene during chemoradiotherapy is associated with a lower incidence and severity of mucositis.

Local Salmonella immunostimulation recruits vaccine-specific CD8 T cells and increases regression of bladder tumor.

NlmCategory="UNASSIGNED">The efficacy of antitumoral responses can be increased using combinatorial vaccine strategies. We recently showed that vaccination could be optimized by local administration of diverse molecular or bacterial agents to target and augment antitumoral CD8 T cells in the genital mucosa (GM) and increase regression of cervical cancer in an animal model. Non muscle-invasive bladder cancer is another disease that is easily amenable to local therapies. In contrast to data obtained in the GM, in this study we show that intravesical (IVES) instillation of synthetic toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists only modestly induced recruitment of CD8 T cells to the bladder. However, IVES administration of Ty21a, a live bacterial vaccine against typhoid fever, was much more effective and increased the number of total and vaccine-specific CD8 T cells in the bladder approximately 10 fold. Comparison of chemokines induced in the bladder by either CpG (a TLR-9 agonist) or Ty21a highlighted the preferential increase in complement component 5a, CXCL5, CXCL2, CCL8, and CCL5 by Ty21a, suggesting their involvement in the attraction of T cells to the bladder. IVES treatment with Ty21a after vaccination also significantly increased tumor regression compared to vaccination alone, resulting in 90% survival in an orthotopic murine model of bladder cancer expressing a prototype tumor antigen. Our data demonstrate that combining vaccination with local immunostimulation may be an effective treatment strategy for different types of cancer and also highlight the great potential of the Ty21a vaccine, which is routinely used worldwide, in such combinatorial therapies.

Gas exchanges in annonaceae species under different crop protections

This study aims to investigate the gas exchanges of different species of Annonaceae due to environmental variations provided by different types of crop protection. 'Araticum-de-terra-fria', 'araticum-mirim', 'biribá' and atemoya seedlings were cultived in three different crop protections: nursery, greenhouse and warm house. Gas exchanges were obtained in six plants, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, with IRGA, LI-6400, at 180 Days After Transplanting. The different types of crop protection had a direct influence on gas exchanges of these species. Thus, nursery provided suitable conditions for 'araticum-de-terra-fria', 'araticum-mirim' and 'biribá', increasing their gas exchanges. To atemoya the best crop protection was the greenhouse.

Utilização de marcadores ISSR na avaliação da divergência genética entre acessos de biribazeiro

O biribazeiro é uma planta frutífera nativa das matas Atlântica e Amazônica. Seus frutos têm grande aceitação popular para consumo in natura. Objetivou-se com este estudo a avaliação da diversidade genética de acessos de biribazeiro (Rollinia mucosa [Jacq.] Baill) com a utilização de marcadores moleculares ISSR. Foram analisados 16 acessos com 20 primers ISSR, os quais produziram um total de 118 bandas, sendo 96 polimórficas e 22 monomórficas. Os valores de dissimilaridade genética, calculados de acordo com o complemento do índice de Jaccard, variaram de 0,0909 a 0,5147. O método UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method Average) agrupou os acessos em seis grupos. Os acessos 1 e 5 foram mais dissimilares e 11 e 12 os menos dissimilares. Os marcadores ISSR utilizados neste estudo demonstraram eficiência na detecção de polimorfismos moleculares, revelando variabilidade genética entre os 16 acessos. Diante dos resultados obtidos neste trabalho, é possível inferir que existe considerável variabilidade genética entre os acessos de biribazeiro, demonstrando a importância dos marcadores na análise de variabilidade de espécies pouco estudadas, como Rollinia mucosa [Jacq.]Baill.

Neuropathogenesis in glutaric aciduria type I and methylmalonic aciduria

Glutaric aciduria type-I (GA-I) and methylmalonic aciduria (MMA-uria) are two neurometabolic diseases manifesting in neonatal period and early childhood. They belong to the group of organic acidurias and are caused by defects in the catabolism of amino acids, leading to massive accumulation of toxic metabolites in the body and severe brain injury. Therapeutic strategies are mainly based on reversing catabolic state during metabolic crisis and dietary protein restriction that both aim to prevent extra production of toxic metabolites. Specific and neuroprotective treatments are missing because the mechanisms of brain damage in these diseases are only poorly understood. The principal objective of my work was to develop in vitro models for both diseases aiming at elucidation of toxic effects of the main metabolites accumulating in GA-I (glutaric acid (GA) and 3-hydroxy glutaric acid (3-OHGA)) and MMA-uria (methylmalonic acid (MMA), propionic acid (PA) and 2-methylcitric acid (2-MCA)) on developing brain cells, and to study the cellular pathways targeted by these deleterious effects in order to find new therapeutic potentials. We used re-aggregated embryonic rat brain cells in organotypic 3D cultures, which were exposed to toxic metabolites at different developing stages of the cultures. In parallel, we studied the cellular localization of the defected enzyme in GA-I, glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), in the brain and peripheral tissues of rats in adulthood and during embryonic development. GCDH expression: GCDH showed a strong neuronal expression in embryonic central and peripheral nervous system. In the adult brain, GCDH expression was exclusively neuronal with the strongest signal in cerebral cortex and Purkinje cells. GCDH expression was homogenous in embryonic peripheral organs with high levels in intestinal mucosa at late stages. Strong GCDH expression was also observed in liver and intestinal mucosa and with lower intensity in muscles, convoluted renal tubules and renal collecting tubes in adult peripheral organs. GA-I and MMA-uria in vitro models: 3-OHGA (for GA-I) and 2-MCA (for MMA-uria) showed the most deleterious effects at early stages of the cultures with morphological and biochemical alterations and induction of cell death. 3-OHGA and 2-MCA caused astrocytic cell suffering reflected by astrocytic fiber loss and swelling and retardation in oligodendrocytic maturation and/or differentiation. High ammonium increase concomitant with glutamine decrease was observed in these cultures. Neurons were not substantially affected. Our studies revealed that brain-cell generated ammonia may play a role in the neuropathogenesis of these diseases. Thus, developing neuroprotective strategies that target ammonium toxicity in the brain of GA-I and MMA-uria patients might be important according to our findings. -- L'acidurie glutarique de type I (GA-I) et l'acidurie méthylmalonique (MMA-urie) sont deux maladies neurométaboliques se manifestant durant la période néonatale ou la petite enfance, et qui appartiennent aux aciduries organiques. Elles sont causées par des défauts dans le catabolisme des acides aminés, conduisant à une accumulation des métabolites toxiques dans le corps et aussi des lésions cérébrales sévères. Le traitement est limité à une prise en charge d'urgence pendant la crise métabolique et à une diète restreinte en protéines naturelles. Des traitements spécifiques, neuroprotecteurs manquent principalement parce que les mécanismes conduisant aux lésions cérébrales dans ces maladies sont peu connus. L'objectif principal de mon travail était d'élucider les effets toxiques des métabolites accumulés dans GA-I (l'acide glutarique (GA) et l'acide 3-hydroxyglutarique (3-OHGA)) et MMA-uria (l'acide méthylmalonique (MMA), l'acide propionique (PA) et l'acide 2-méthylcitrique(2-MCA) sur les cellules du cerveau ainsi que les voies cellulaires impliquées, dans le but de trouver de potentielles nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques. Nous avons utilisé un modèle in vitro de cultures 3D de cellules de cerveau d'embryons de rat (en développement) en les exposant aux métabolites toxiques à différents stades de développement des cultures. En parallèle, nous avons étudié la localisation cellulaire de l'enzyme déficiente dans GA-I, la CoA-glutarly déshydrogénase (GCDH), dans le cerveau et les organes périphériques des rats adultes et pendant le développement embryonnaire. L'expression de GCDH: GCDH a montré une expression neuronale forte dans le système nerveux chez l'embryon et le cerveau adulte. L'expression était homogène dans les organes périphériques avec une forte expression dans l'intestin. Les modèles in vitro de GA-I et MMA-uria : 3-OHGA en modèle GA-I et 2-MCA en modèle MMA-uria ont montré les effets délétères les plus importants avec des altérations morphologiques des cellules et biochimiques dans le milieu de culture et l'induction de mort cellulaire non-apoptotique (3-OHGA) ou apoptotique (2-MCA). 3-OHGA et 2-MCA ont provoqué une souffrance astrocytaire avec perte des fibres et gonflement et un retard de maturation et/ou de différentiation des oligodendrocytes. Une augmentation importante d'ammonium avec une diminution concomitante de glutamine a été observée dans les cultures. Les neurones n'étaient pas vraiment affectés. Nos études ont révélé que l'ammonium généré par les cellules cérébrales pourrait jouer un rôle dans la neuropathogenèse de ces deux maladies. Par conséquent, développer des stratégies neuroprotectrices ciblant la toxicité de l'ammonium dans le cerveau des patients atteints de GA-I ou MMA-urie pourrait être très important selon nos résultats.

Histologic evaluation of thermal damage produced on soft tissues by CO2, Er,Cr:YSGG and diode lasers

Objective: The aim of this in vitro experimental study was to perform histological evaluation of the thermal effect produced on soft tissue irradiated with CO2, Er,Cr:YSGG or diode lasers. Study design: Porcine oral mucosa samples were irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 1 W with and without water / air spray, at 2 W with and without water / air spray, and at 4 W with water / air spray, with CO2 laser at 1 W, 2 W, 10 W, 20 W continuous mode and 20 W pulsed mode and diode laser at 2W, 5W, and 10W pulsed mode. The thermal effect was evaluated measuring the width of damaged tissue adjacent to the incision, stained positively for hyalinized tissue with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson Trichrome stains. Besides, histological changes in the irradiated tissue were described using subjective grading scales. Results: The evaluated lasers developed a wide range of thermal damage with significant differences between groups. The samples with lowest thermal effect were those irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser using water / air spray, followed by CO2 and diode lasers. Conclusions: Emission parameters of each laser system may influence the thermal damage inflicted on the soft tissue, however, the wave length of each laser determines the absorption rate characteristics of every tissue and the thermal effect

Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Orolabial Herpes Simplex

Oral mucosa is a frequent site of primary herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, whereas intraoral recurrent disease is very rare. Instead, reactivation from latency predominantly results in asymptomatic HSV shedding to saliva or recurrent labial herpes (RLH) with highly individual frequency. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of human oral innate and acquired immune mechanisms in modulation of HSV infection in orolabial region. Saliva was found to neutralize HSV-1, and to protect cells from infection independently of salivary antibodies. Neutralization capacity was higher in saliva from asymptomatic HSV-seropositive individuals compared to subjects with history of RLH or seronegative controls. Neutralization was at least partially associated with salivary lactoferrin content. Further, lactoferrin and peroxidase-generated hypothiocyanite were found to either neutralize HSV-1 or interfere with HSV-1 replication, whereas lysozyme displayed no anti-HSV-1 activity. Lactoferrin was also shown to modulate HSV-1 infection by inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation. RLH susceptibility was further found to be associated with Th2 biased cytokine responses against HSV, and a higher level of anti- HSV-IgG with Th2 polarization, indicating lack of efficiency of humoral response in the control of HSV disease. In a three-dimensional cell culture, keratinocytes were found to support both lytic and nonproductive infection, suggesting HSV persistence in epithelial cells, and further emphasizing the importance of peripheral immune control of HSV. These results suggest that certain innate salivary antimicrobial compounds and Th1 type cellular responses are critically important in protecting the host against HSV disease, implying possible applications in drug, vaccine and gene therapy design.

Tomografia computadorizada helicoidal dos seios paranasais na criança: avaliação das sinusopatias inflamatórias

Neste estudo foi feita avaliação retrospectiva de 71 casos selecionados de pacientes pediátricos, maiores de um ano e menores de sete anos, que realizaram exame de tomografia computadorizada helicoidal dos seios paranasais no período de março de 1997 a abril de 1998, apresentando quadro clínico de sinusopatia inflamatória aguda recorrente e sinusopatia inflamatória crônica. Foram correlacionados os quadros clínicos com os achados da tomografia computadorizada helicoidal, avaliando a pneumatização dos seios paranasais, os complexos óstio-meatais, as variações anatômicas, o estado da superfície mucosa e a extensão lesional. Os achados tomográficos de maior prevalência foram o velamento total ou parcial de uma ou mais cavidades paranasais (92,9%), seguido da hipertrofia da mucosa de revestimento (67,6%). Houve, na maioria dos casos, associação entre a sinusopatia inflamatória e a obstrução dos complexos óstio-meatais (53,5%). As variações anatômicas foram identificadas já a partir de um ano, com predomínio dos desvios do septo nasal (14,1%), estando correlacionadas às sinusopatias inflamatórias em cerca de 71% dos pacientes.

Pain-evoked alterations on gingival blood flow and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) neuropeptide SP and collagenase-2 (MMP-8) levels

Previous studies have demonstrated that clinical pulpal pain can induce the expression of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides in the adjacent gingival crevice fluid (GCF). Vasoactive agents such as substance P (SP) are known to contribute to the inflammatory type of pain and are associated with increased blood flow. More recent animal studies have shown that application of capsaicin on alveolar mucosa provokes pain and neurogenic vasodilatation in the adjacent gingiva. Pain-associated inflammatory reactions may initiate expression of several pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Collagenase-2 (MMP-8) has been considered to be the major destructive protease, especially in the periodontitis-affected gingival crevice fluid (GCF). MMP-8 originates mostly from neutrophil leukocytes, the first line of defence cells that exist abundantly in GCF, especially in inflammation. With this background, we wished to clarify the spatial extensions and differences between tooth-pain stimulation and capsaicin-induced neurogenic vasodilatation in human gingiva. Experiments were carried out to study whether tooth stimulation and capsaicin stimulation of alveolar mucosa would induce changes in GCF MMP-8 levels and whether tooth stimulation would release neuropeptide SP in GCF. The experiments were carried out on healthy human volunteers. During the experiments, moderate and high intensity painful tooth stimulation was performed by a constant current tooth stimulator. Moderate tooth stimulation activates A-delta fibres, while high stimulation also activates C-fibres. Painful stimulation of the gingiva was achieved by topical application of capsaicin-moistened filter paper on the mucosal surface. Capsaicin is known to activate selectively nociceptive C-fibres of stimulated tissue. Pain-evoked vasoactive changes in gingivomucosal tissues were mapped by laser Doppler imaging (LDI), which is a sophisticated and non-invasive method for studying e.g. spatial and temporal characteristics of pain- and inflammation-evoked blood flow changes in gingivomucosal tissues. Pain-evoked release of MMP-8 in GCF samples was studied by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) and Western immunoblotting. The SP levels in GCF were analysed by Enzyme immunoassay (EIA). During the experiments, subjective stimulus-evoked pain responses were determined by a visual analogue pain scale. Unilateral stimulation of alveolar mucosa and attached gingiva by capsaicin evoked a distinct neurogenic vasodilatation in the ipsilateral gingiva, which attenuated rapidly at the midline. Capsaicin stimulation of alveolar mucosa provoked clear inflammatory reactions. In contrast to capsaicin stimuli, tooth stimulation produced symmetrical vasodilatations bilaterally in the gingiva. The ipsilateral responses were significantly smaller during tooth stimulation than during capsaicin stimuli. The current finding – that tooth stimulation evokes bilateral vasodilatation while capsaicin stimulation of the gingiva mainly produces unilateral vasodilatation – emphasises the usefulness of LDI in clarifying spatial features of neurogenic vasoactive changes in the intra-oral tissues. Capsaicin stimulation of the alveolar mucosa induced significant elevations in MMP-8 levels and activation in GCF of the adjacent teeth. During the experiments, no marked changes occurred in MMP-8 levels in the GCF of distantly located teeth. Painful stimulation of the upper incisor provoked elevations in GCF MMP-8 and SP levels of the stimulated tooth. The GCF MMP-8 and SP levels of the non-stimulated teeth were not changed. These results suggest that capsaicin-induced inflammatory reactions in gingivomucosal tissues do not cross the midline in the anterior maxilla. The enhanced reaction found during stimulation of alveolar mucosa indicates that alveolar mucosa is more sensitive to chemical irritants than the attached gingiva. Analysis of these data suggests that capsaicin-evoked neurogenic inflammation in the gingiva can trigger the expression and activation of MMP-8 in GCF of the adjacent teeth. In this study, it is concluded that experimental tooth pain at C-fibre intensity can induce local elevations in MMP-8 and SP levels in GCF. Depending on the role of MMP-8 in inflammation, in addition to surrogated tissue destruction, the elevated MMP-8 in GCF may also reflect accelerated local defensive and anti-inflammatory reactions.

Combined CSL and p53 downregulation promotes cancer-associated fibroblast activation.

Stromal fibroblast senescence has been linked to ageing-associated cancer risk. However, density and proliferation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are frequently increased. Loss or downmodulation of the Notch effector CSL (also known as RBP-Jκ) in dermal fibroblasts is sufficient for CAF activation and ensuing keratinocyte-derived tumours. We report that CSL silencing induces senescence of primary fibroblasts from dermis, oral mucosa, breast and lung. CSL functions in these cells as a direct repressor of multiple senescence- and CAF-effector genes. It also physically interacts with p53, repressing its activity. CSL is downmodulated in stromal fibroblasts of premalignant skin actinic keratosis lesions and squamous cell carcinomas, whereas p53 expression and function are downmodulated only in the latter, with paracrine FGF signalling as the probable culprit. Concomitant loss of CSL and p53 overcomes fibroblast senescence, enhances expression of CAF effectors and promotes stromal and cancer cell expansion. The findings support a CAF activation-stromal co-evolution model under convergent CSL-p53 control.

Postsurgical Prophylaxis in Crohn's Disease: Which Patients, Which Agents?

NlmCategory="UNASSIGNED">Crohn's disease (CD) evolution is characterized by increasing proportions of patients developing complications such as strictures, abscesses and fistulas that require surgical management. After resection of a diseased intestinal segment, CD recurrence concerns up to 60% of patients within a year post surgery. The mucosa just above the site of the intestinal anastomosis is at particularly high risk of relapse. Prophylactic medical therapy to prevent recurrence has been shown to be effective with a variety of medications, but the recurrence rate remains high, demanding that a better risk stratification of patients be achieved. Recognized risk factors for postsurgical CD recurrence include young age at diagnosis and at surgery, smoking, need for repeated surgeries and penetrating disease. These patients require full dose immunosuppressive or anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, which should be initiated in the immediate postoperative period, to prevent the onset of an inflammatory activity in the bowel. Systematic follow-up by endoscopy to monitor treatment benefit should also be part of the management, as endoscopic recurrence heralds clinical relapse in these patients. The role of noninvasive markers of mucosal inflammation, such as stool calprotectin levels, show promise to complete this monitoring. Although the efficacy of mesalazine and imidazole antibiotics has been long recognized, more aggressive approaches, such as thiopurines and anti-TNF antibodies, have shown higher efficacies in direct comparison trials. The potential place of anti-homing agents is not yet defined, but these agents should in principle be of interest for this prophylactic indication due to their mode of action and interesting side-effect profile. The current recommendations are based on a step-up approach that includes immunosuppressors and/or imidazole antibiotics, followed by an anti-TNF agent, such as infliximab and adalimumab, both already tested in randomized trials in this indication. When endoscopic recurrence is identified during follow-up, upscaling to anti-TNF or dose escalation is advocated.

A multistep process of cancer associated fibroblasts determination under CSL-p53 control

Stromal fibroblast senescence has been linked to the aging-associated increase of tumors. However, in epithelial cancer, density and proliferation of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) are frequently increased, rather than decreased. We previously showed that genetic deletion or down-modulation of the canonical Notch effector CSL/RBP-JK in dermal fibroblasts is sufficient for CAF activation with consequent development of keratinocyte-derived tumors. We show here that CSL silencing induces senescence of primary fibroblasts from dermis, oral mucosa, breast and lung. CSL functions in these cells as direct repressor of multiple senescence- and CAF-effector genes. It also physically interacts with p53, repressing its activity. CSL is down-modulated in stromal fibroblasts of premalignant skin actinic keratosis lesions and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), while p53 gene expression and function is down-modulated only in the latter, with paracrine influences of incipient cancer cells as a likely culprit. Concomitant loss of CSL and p53 overcomes fibroblast senescence, enhances CAF effector gene expression and promotes stromal and cancer cell expansion. The findings support a CAF activation/stromal co-evolution model under convergent CSL/p53 control of likely clinical relevance.

Divertículo intraluminal do duodeno: relato de caso

Os autores apresentam um caso de divertículo intraluminal do duodeno em uma paciente de 44 anos de idade, com sintomas escassos e incaracterísticos. O diagnóstico radiológico foi confirmado à cirurgia e houve controle pós-operatório. A anomalia, uma forma rara de duplicação, com diagnóstico radiológico unicamente pelo exame baritado convencional pré-operatório, consiste de uma estrutura em "fundo de saco", revestida de ambos os lados por mucosa normal, projetando-se na luz do duodeno. Após a revisão da literatura, os autores tecem considerações acerca do diagnóstico.

Estudio del estado bucodental del paciente trasplantado hepático

Desde que se realizó en España el primer trasplante hepático en el año 1984 los avances en la técnica quirúrgica y en los fármacos inmunosupresores empleados han producido un aumento en el número de pacientes trasplantados. El objetivo del presente estudio fue valorar el estado bucodental de los pacientes trasplantados hepáticos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de una muestra de pacientes que habían sido sometidos a un trasplante hepático en el Hospital Príncipes de España de la Ciudad Sanitaria y Universitaria de Bellvitge (L Hospitalet de Llobregat - Barcelona). Los datos recogidos fueron los de filiación, los de la historia médica general, los de la historia bucodental y los de la exploración intrabucal. En total fueron examinados 53 individuos, 28 hombres y 25 mujeres, con una edad media de 57,6 años. El tiempo medio del trasplante fue de 3 años y 9 meses. La causa más frecuente del trasplante hepático fue la cirrosis hepática por el virus de la hepatitis C (49,1%). Los inmunosupresores más utilizados fueron la ciclosporina y el tacrolimus. El índice CAOD de la muestra fue de 11,2. En cuanto a la patología periodontal, el 22% de los pacientes dentados presentaban agrandamiento gingival, la mitad de los dentados tenían recesiones gingivales y el 34% presentaban algún tipo de movilidad dentaria. A la exploración de la mucosa bucal, la patología más prevalente fue la lengua fisurada (39,6%), la lengua saburral (28,3%) y la xerostomía (18,9%). La patología bucodental de estos pacientes está relacionada con el uso de fármacos inmunosupresores y de otros factores tales como la falta de medidas preventivas. Los datos de este estudio demuestran que sería necesario instaurar tratamientos preventivos en este grupo de población

Long-Lasting Metabolic Imbalance Related to Obesity Alters Olfactory Tissue Homeostasis and Impairs Olfactory-Driven Behaviors.

Obesity is associated with chronic food intake disorders and binge eating. Food intake relies on the interaction between homeostatic regulation and hedonic signals among which, olfaction is a major sensory determinant. However, its potential modulation at the peripheral level by a chronic energy imbalance associated to obese status remains a matter of debate. We further investigated the olfactory function in a rodent model relevant to the situation encountered in obese humans, where genetic susceptibility is juxtaposed on chronic eating disorders. Using several olfactory-driven tests, we compared the behaviors of obesity-prone Sprague-Dawley rats (OP) fed with a high-fat/high-sugar diet with those of obese-resistant ones fed with normal chow. In OP rats, we reported 1) decreased odor threshold, but 2) poor olfactory performances, associated with learning/memory deficits, 3) decreased influence of fasting, and 4) impaired insulin control on food seeking behavior. Associated with these behavioral modifications, we found a modulation of metabolism-related factors implicated in 1) electrical olfactory signal regulation (insulin receptor), 2) cellular dynamics (glucorticoids receptors, pro- and antiapoptotic factors), and 3) homeostasis of the olfactory mucosa and bulb (monocarboxylate and glucose transporters). Such impairments might participate to the perturbed daily food intake pattern that we observed in obese animals.