Melanin Pigmentation Through the Ages1

Genetic Control of Melanin Pigmentation in the Fowl

Melanin: the biophysiology of oral melanocytes and physiological oral pigmentation

The presence of melanocytes in the oral epithelium is a well-established fact, but their physiological functions are not well defined. Melanin provides protection from environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation and reactive oxygen species; and melanocytes function as stress-sensors having the capacity both to react to and to produce a variety of microenvironmental cytokines and growt...

Melanin pigmentation in mammalian skin and its hormonal regulation.

Cutaneous melanin pigment plays a critical role in camouflage, mimicry, social communication, and protection against harmful effects of solar radiation. Melanogenesis is under complex regulatory control by multiple agents interacting via pathways activated by receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms, in hormonal, auto-, para-, or intracrine fashion. Because of the multidirectional nature ...

Odontogenic Cyst with Verrucous Proliferation Exhibiting Melanin Pigmentation

Verrucous proliferation arising from odontogenic cysts is a rare entity. We report an unusual case of an infected odontogenic cyst with verrucous proliferation and melanin pigmentation in a 13-year-old male patient who presented with an intraoral swelling in relation to impacted teeth 26 and 27. The enucleated lesion was diagnosed as an odontogenic keratocyst and the patient died within two yea...

Interrelationship of Smoking, Lip and Gingival Melanin Pigmentation, and Periodontal Status

Background: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for periodontal disease. It also causes pigmentation of oral mucosa. The present study was aimed to assess the effects of smoking on lip and gingival pigmentation and periodontal status and the relationship between pigmentation and periodontal parameters. Methods: A total of 109 smokers and an equal number of non-smoker controls (mean a...