The influence of thyroid hormones on periodontitis-related bone loss and tooth-supporting alveolar bone: a histological study in rats.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have pointed to potentially periodontal risk indicators, however no information is available on the impact of changes in thyroid hormone levels on the progression of periodontitis and on the quality of alveolar bone. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate histologically, in rats, the influence of thyroid hormones on the rate of periodontal bone loss resulting from ligature placement and on the quality of tooth-supporting alveolar bone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: healthy (control, n = 12), hypothyroidism (n = 12) and hyperthyroidism (n = 12). Once alterations were confirmed by total serum levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, ligatures were randomly placed around one of the first mandibular molars. Thirty days later, the animals were killed and specimens routinely processed for serial decalcified sections. The parameters assessed were periodontitis-related bone loss, quality of tooth-supporting alveolar bone and the number of cells positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a marker of bone resorption. RESULTS: At the ligated sites, intergroup analysis revealed that hypothyroidism significantly increased the bone loss resulting from ligature-induced periodontitis (p = 0.02) and the number of TRAP-positive cells on the linear surface of bone crest (p = 0.01). In addition, no significant differences were detected regarding the quality of the bone (p = 0.24) or the number of TRAP-positive cells in the area of the interradicular bone for ligated teeth among the groups (p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that decreased serum levels of thyroid hormones may enhance periodontitis-related bone loss, as a function of an increased number of resorbing cells, whereas the tooth-supporting alveolar bone seems to be less sensitive to alterations in hormone levels.

Author information

Author/s: Feitosa, D S (DS); Marques, M R (MR); Casati, M Z (MZ); Sallum, E A (EA); Nociti, F H (FH); de Toledo, S (S);

Affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil. dsfeitosa(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of periodontal research (J Periodontal Res), published in Denmark. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 44 (issue 4) : pp 472-8

Dates: Created 2009/07/14; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 18973522, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acid Phosphatase - analysis
Alveolar Bone Loss - etiology; pathology
Alveolar Process - pathology
Animals
Biological Markers - analysis
Bone Density - physiology
Disease Progression
Furcation Defects - etiology; pathology
Gingivitis - etiology; pathology
Hyperthyroidism - complications

Hypothyroidism - complications
Isoenzymes - analysis
Male
Periodontitis - complications; pathology
Random Allocation
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Thyroid Hormones - physiology
Thyroxine - blood
Triiodothyronine - blood

Associated Chemicals: Biological Markers (0) ; Isoenzymes (0) ; Thyroid Hormones (0) ; Triiodothyronine (6893-02-3) ; Thyroxine (7488-70-2) ; tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.-) ; Acid Phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2)

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