J Am Dent Assoc. 2011 Feb;142(2):166-9. Diet and prevention of oral cancer: strategies for clinical practice. Chainani-Wu N, Epstein J, Touger-Decker R. Source Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, USA. nita.wu@ucsf.edu Abstract BACKGROUND: Oral health care professionals can play an important role in preventing oral cancer by performing oral mucosal examinations to detect pre-cancerous changes and by educating patients about oral cancer prevention strategies, including dietary approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence supports a diet high in fruits, vegetables and plant-based foods for prevention of oral cancer. Dietary supplements-including vitamins and minerals-have not been shown to be effective as substitutes […]

Am J Cardiol. 2010 Jun 1;105(11):1570-6. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.01.016. Epub 2010 Apr 10. Relation of B-type natriuretic peptide levels to body mass index after comprehensive lifestyle changes. Chainani-Wu N, Weidner G, Purnell DM, Frenda S, Merritt-Worden T, Kemp C, Kersh E, Ornish D. Source Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito, California; University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. nita.wu@ucsf.edu Abstract Cross-sectional studies have reported inverse associations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) with the body mass index (BMI). We evaluated whether changes in the BMI are associated with changes in BNP. A nested prospective cohort study of a lifestyle intervention (low-fat, whole-foods diet, exercise, stress management, and social support) was conducted. BNP, […]

J Calif Dent Assoc. 2008 Oct;36(10):775-9. Immunosuppressants Chainani-Wu N, Wu TC. Source Orofacial Sciences Department, University of California, San Francisco, USA. Abstract This paper provides a brief introduction to some of the common immunosuppressants used in oral medicine, the prevention and treatment of oral adverse effects of immunosuppressants, and considerations for dental treatment in patients taking immunosuppressants. PMID:  19044098[PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2008 Jan;105(1):51-8. Validation of instruments to measure the symptoms and signs of oral lichen planus. Chainani-Wu N, Silverman S Jr, Reingold A, Bostrom A, Lozada-Nur F, Weintraub J. Source Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0658, USA. nita.wu@ucsf.edu Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the visual analog scale (VAS), numeric rating scale (NRS), and change in symptoms scale (CSS) in measuring symptoms of oral lichen planus, and the modified oral mucositis index (MOMI) in measuring the signs of oral lichen planus. STUDY DESIGN: Criterion validity, construct validity, and internal consistency […]

Phytomedicine. 2007 Aug;14(7-8):437-46. Epub 2007 Jul 2. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of curcuminoids in oral lichen planus. Chainani-Wu N, Silverman S Jr, Reingold A, Bostrom A, Mc Culloch C, Lozada-Nur F, Weintraub J. Source Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0658, USA. nita.wu@ucsf.edu Abstract We studied the efficacy of curcuminoids in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP), a chronic, mucocutaneous, immunological disease. Curcuminoids are components of turmeric (Curcuma longa) that have anti-inflammatory activity. Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine) for centuries. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. In all, 100 consecutive, eligible patients with […]

Spec Care Dentist. 2006 Jul-Aug;26(4):164-70. Assessment of the use of sialogogues in the clinical management of patients with xerostomia. Chainani-Wu N, Gorsky M, Mayer P, Bostrom A, Epstein JB, Silverman S Jr. Source Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Calif, USA. nitacwu@itsa.ucsf.edu Abstract This study was conducted to assess the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of pilocarpine, bethanechol and cevimeline in patients with xerostomia. In this open-label crossover assessment in 20 patients with xerostomia, a one- to two-week course of each medication with a one-week washout period was prescribed. Side effects, symptoms, whole stimulated and unstimulated saliva were measured. Each sialogogue was found to […]

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004 Aug;98(2):171-83. Hepatitis C virus and lichen planus: a review. Chainani-Wu N, Lozada-Nur F, Terrault N. Source Department of Stomatology, Division of Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0658, USA. nitacwu@itsa.ucsf.edu Abstract INTRODUCTION: The relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and oral lichen planus (OLP) remains a matter of controversy. It is important to determine whether there is an association between OLP and HCV infection so that guidelines regarding the routine HCV testing of patients with OLP can be developed for clinicians. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this […]

J Am Dent Assoc. 2001 Jul;132(7):901-9. Oral lichen planus: patient profile, disease progression and treatment responses. Chainani-Wu N, Silverman S Jr, Lozada-Nur F, Mayer P, Watson JJ. Source Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, USA. Abstract BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus, or OLP, is a common mucocutaneous immunological disease. The objective of this study was to describe the patient profile, disease progression and treatment responses. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective, descriptive study using information from patient records at a tertiary referral center. The study included 229 patients with OLP who were seen in the oral medicine clinic at the University of […]