Influence of acetylcholinesterase inhibition on periodontitis pathogenesis in mice: a microtomographic study

Abstract

In periodontal diseases (PD) there is loss of bone homeostasis culminating in alveolar bone resorption. Recent studies have revealed the mechanisms of action of the autonomic nervous system on bone metabolism. The adrenergic via acts principally favoring bone loss as cholinergic via favors bone mass accrual. Cholinergic agonist drugs, such as inhibitors of the enzyme that degrades acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), are used for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) treatment, in order to impair the neurodegenerative process. We hypothesize that these drugs can collaborate with the bone resorption or even favor bone formation in PD. Besides, the effect of parasympathetic nervous system inhibition in inflammation could be beneficial to both DA and DP, characterized as inflammatory processes associated with senility. The aim of this study is to verify parasympathetic neuromodulation effects of PD pathogenesis in mice. Thirty mice will be divided into three group: (1) Control (C): ten animals without PD, (2) Ligature group (L): ten animals with induced (by a ligature around the inferior first molar) PD (3) Donepezil group (D): ten animals with induced PD that will receive 1 mg/kg/day (intraperitoneal) of donepezil. After 7 days of treatment, the animals will be sacrificed, their mandible will be removed and submitted to a microtomographic analyses to quantify the bone volume fraction (BV/TV), the trabecular number and trabecular thickness (Tb. N. and Tb. Th., respectively) and bone tissue mineral density (BTMD) of the first molar furcation region. The data will be submitted to the most appropriate statistical analyses. (AU)