Comparação de métodos para mensuração da perda óssea alveolar periodontal em ratos submetidos a estresse

Abstract

Aim: Compare the radiographic, morphometric, and histometric methods to assess alveolar bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontal disease and submitted to chronic stress. Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were distributed in a completely randomized framework in a 2x2 factorial design (with and without periodontal disease (PD) with and without chronic stress (CE), using eight replicates in each group. CE was performed by immobilization for 2.5 hours daily for 30 days, while PD was induced by ligation with the protocol in the first left and right mandibular molar in the last 14 days. After this period, the rats were euthanized. Results: The radiographic and histometric analyses determined the periodontal bone support (PBS). Additionally, the histometric analysis calculated alveolar bone loss (ABL) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) in the distal face of the first molar. In morphometric analysis, bone loss was obtained by determining the linear distances from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar crest (AC) in the center of the lingual and distal roots. The present study observed increased levels of corticosterone in animals subjected to immobilization (p< 0.05), and bone loss was greater (p< 0.05) in animals with ligatures, regardless of association with stress. Immobilization alone did not influence these parameters (p>0.05). A significant correlation could be identified among the three evaluation techniques (p<0.05). Conclusion: The histometric, radiographic, and morphometric methods showed similar results in the analysis of alveolar bone loss in rats with PD submitted to CE.