Experimental marginal periodontitis in rats produced by coprophagy (author's transl)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was investigated to the effects of the high carbohydrate diet (Keyes No. 2000) and coprophagy on the periodontal tissues of the normal and alloxan diabetic rats. The experimental animals were divided into four groups of normal rats (A, B, C, D) and four groups of alloxan diabetic rats (a, b, c, d). A and a groups received a powder diet (a normal laboratory diet), B and b groups a high carbohydrate diet, C and c groups a powder diet+feces, and D and d groups a high carbohydrate diet+feces. The experimental animals were killed at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks, and the periodontal tissues between mandibular first and second molars of these animals were examined macroscopically and histpathologically. The results were as follows;1. Normal rats (A, B, C and D groups).During the entire experimental period, there were no apparent changes in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet (A) or a high carbohydrate diet (B). At 3, 5 and 7 weeks, proliferation of the gingival epithelium and deposition of foreign materials in the gingival epithelium and connective tissue were observed in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet+feces (C) or a high carbohydrate diet+feces (D). At 9 weeks, loss of the gingival epithelium and proliferation of the functional epithelium were observed in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet+feces (C). In addition, at 7 and 9 weeks, a periodontal pocket formation was also observed in the animals receiving a high carbohydrate diet+feces (D). During the entire experimental period, however, the changes were not found in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone of these grups (C and D).2. Alloxan diabetic rats (a, b, c and d groups).During the entire experimental period, there were no apparent changes in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet (a) or a high carbohydrate diet (b). At 3 and 5 weeks, proliferation of the gingival epithelium and deposition of foreign materials in the gingival epithelium and connective tissue were observed in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet+feces (c) or a high carbohydrate diet+feces (d). At 7 and 9 weeks, the destructive changes, such as a loss of gingival epithelium, ulceration, inflammatory cell infiltration in the connective tissue and alveolar bone resorption, were observed in the periodontal tissues of animals receiving a powder diet+feces (c). At 5, 7 and 9 weeks, the similar periodontal changes were also found in the animals receiving a high carbohydrate diet+feces (d). Moreover, at 9 weeks, severe hyaline degeneration of the gingival connective tissue and disorganization of the periodontal fibers were observed in this group (d).