Effect of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) supplementation on apical periodontitis severity, triglyceride levels and lipid oxidation in Wistar rats

Abstract

Apical periodontitis (AP) is a prevalent infectious disease worldwide. It is characterized by an inflammatory response in response to microbial infection resulting from pulpal necrosis. Previous studies by our research group have demonstrated that four foci of apical periodontitis are able to alter lipid metabolism in Wistar rats. Yerba mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) is widely consumed in South America and with growing interest worldwide. This herb is rich in various polyphenol compounds, flavonoids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, xanthines, and various saponins. It has physiological effects potentially beneficial to human health as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protection, regulation of intestinal microbiota and anti-cancer, also acting in bone health and ability to reduce the levels of triglycerides influencing lipid oxidation. Objective: This project aims to evaluate the performance of yerba mate on the severity of apical periodontitis, triglyceride levels, and lipid oxidation in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty Wistar rats, 3 months old, will be used, divided into 4 groups (n=10): Control (CO); treated with yerba mate (EM); with induced apical periodontitis (PA); with induced apical periodontitis and treated with yerba mate (PA+EM). The yerba mate will be administered by gavage (20 mg/kg/day), starting 28 days before the induction of AP and for another 30 days, until the time of euthanasia. The AP will be induced by pulpal exposure of the first and second upper and lower molars on the right side. At the end of the experimental period the blood will be collected for serum analysis of plasma total antioxidant capacity, triglyceride levels, and verification of lipid oxidation through the analysis of thiobarbituric calcium reactive substances (TBARS). Then, the animals will be euthanized and the right hemi-mandibles collected for histological analysis in hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) for characterization of the severity of AP by analyzing the inflammatory infiltrate and the area of bone resorption. Analysis of results: The results will be submitted to statistical tests specific for each case, and a significance level of 5% will be adopted.