Influence of obesity on the progression and severity of experimental induced periodontal disease in rats: histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Several studies have found an association between increased body weight and increased severity of periodontal disease, by mechanisms not well understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the condition of obesity on the severity of periodontal disease in obese rats with experimental periodontitis. It will be used 48 Wistar rats, which are randomly distributed in two groups of 24 animals each: group I (control) - animals systemically healthy, group II (test) - animals with induced obesity. Obesity is induced by a period of approximately 120 days using high calorie diet, then there will be the ligature induction of periodontitis, considered as baseline. Periodontal disease is induced in the left lower first molar, keeping the counter-side as controls. The sacrifice periods are 7, 15 and 30 days after the baseline survey, the mandibles will be removed for laboratory processing. It will be performed histological and histometric analyses of tissue characteristics and bone loss in the furcation area, and immunohistochemical analysis using immunomarkers of bone metabolism for the identification of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), the ligand receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Statistical analysis will be performed considering the different groups and periods by ANOVA and the statistical difference is considered significant when p <0.05. (AU)