MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF OBESITY ON GINGIVAL TISSUE IN RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL PERIODONTITIS

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of gingival tissue upon experimentally-induced obesity and periodontitis in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were initially divided into 2 groups. Animals were subjected to intradermal injections of 4 g/kg/day Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and 1.25 g/kg/day saline solution (control group, CTRL) in the cervical region for their first 5 days of life. At 70 days, the groups were subdivided into 2 other groups. A ligature placed around their 1st mandibular molars was used to induce periodontitis. Accordingly, a total of 4 groups were formed, with 6 animals each: ligature-free control group (CTRL); control group with ligature (LIG); ligature-free obese group (OBS); obese group with ligature (OBSLIG). After 100 days, animals were sacrificed and their right hemi-jaws were dissected for morphometric analysis. Results: The height of the gingival crest epithelium was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the groups with induced periodontitis (LIG 44.26±0.69; OBSLIG 43.30±1.23). The height of the connective tissue in the middle region was found to be lower in CTRL (237.44±7.38) and OBS groups (238.17±0.73), with statistically significant differences (p<0.05) as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: MSG-induced obesity did not change the characteristics of the gingival epithelium and connective tissues in rats. DESCRIPTORS Periodontal Disease. Obesity. Gingiva.