Abstract
Ascorbic acid (AA) is able to neutralize reactive oxygen species and is essential for collagen synthesis. In aging process oxidative stress is elevated. This study aims to investigate the effects of AA supplementation on the periodontal ligament (PL) of rats during aging. Twenty five rats were used and divided into groups: J90 (90-day-old control), E345 (345-day-old control), E428 (428-day-old control), EA345 (345-day-old supplemented with AA from 90-day-old on) and EA428 (428-day-old supplemented with AA from 90-day-old on). We analyzed the thickness, density of fibroblasts and blood vessels and collagen fibers types in the PL. In group J90 there was predominantly type III collagen fibers (87.64%). In animals supplemented with AA, the area filled by type I fibers (group EA345: 65.67%, group EA428: 52.23%) was higher than type III fibers. PL in group EA428 was thicker than the one observed in group E428 (P < 0.05). During natural aging process, AA promoted the maturation of collagen fibers and enhanced angiogenesis in periodontal ligament. One can conclude that the supplementation with AA represented a beneficial factor for the development of PL in aged rats.
Highlights
The periodontal ligament (PL) is a loose connective tissue, richly enervated and vascularized, nonmineralized, with important peculiar localization and functionality in periodontium
Animals were divided in five groups: J90: 90-day-old young rats; E345: 345-day-old aged rats; E428: 428-day-old aged rats; EA345: 345-dayold aged rats treated with Ascorbic acid (AA) since 90-day-old; and EA428: 428-day-old aged rats treated with AA since 90-day-old
In the group of young rats (J90), there was a higher proportion of type III collagen (Table II)
Summary
The periodontal ligament (PL) is a loose connective tissue, richly enervated and vascularized, nonmineralized, with important peculiar localization and functionality in periodontium. PL is crossed throughout its extension by thick bundles of collagen fibers that insert either in the cementum or in the alveolar process (Katchburian and Arana 2004). In molar teeth of rats, periodontal ligament is normally constituted by 35% of fibroblastic cells and 51% in dry weight of their secretion product, the collagen fibers (Guilherme 2006). Collagen in PL is a mixture of types I (the most abundant) and III (Katchburian and Arana 2004, Freeman 2001). They are disposed in bundles of fibers that resemble a braid rope (Freeman 2001). Other types of collagen found in small proportion are IV, V, VI, VII and XII, from
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