Low caloric value of ethanol itself increases alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in male rats

Daniela Martins De Souza,Rosilene Fernandes Da Rocha

doi:10.1590/s1806-83242009000400017

Abstract

This study aimed at morphometrically evaluating the influence of variable caloric values of ethanol consumption on alveolar bone loss in periodontitis in male rats. Thirty-six male rats were randomized into four groups of nine rats each, as follows: Test group A (low) - rats were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet (ethanol representing 22% of total caloric value); Control group A -rats were fed a pair-fed control diet (ethanol replaced by isocaloric amounts of carbohydrate); Test group B (high) -rats were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet (ethanol representing 36% of total caloric value); Control group B -rats were fed a pair-fed control diet for Test B. Following anesthesia, cotton ligatures were placed around the cervix of the right upper second molar. At eight weeks, the maxillary bones were removed and alveolar bone loss was analyzed by measuring the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the alveolar bone crest at buccal and palatal sites of the upper second molar. The unligated groups showed no significant differences between the bone loss values observed for the low and high caloric values of ethanol (p > 0.05). In the ligated groups, the rats receiving low caloric values of ethanol showed significantly greater bone loss compared to the isocaloric rats (p < 0.05); however, the rats receiving high caloric values of ethanol showed no significant differences compared to the controls. Analysis of the results demonstrated that, in male rats, ethanol itself affected ligature-induced bone loss when representing a low value in the total caloric value.

Highlights

Periodontitis involves the destruction of supporting structures of the teeth, including the alveolar bone.[1]
Considering that further studies are required to test the effect of ethanol consumption on periodontitis development, this study aimed at morphometrically evaluating the influence of variable caloric values of ethanol consumption on alveolar bone loss associated with ligature-induced periodontitis in male rats
A - rats were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet with ethanol representing 22% of total caloric value; Control group A - rats were fed a pair-fed control diet; Test group B - rats were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet with ethanol representing 36% of total caloric value; and Control group B - rats were fed a pair-fed control diet

Summary

Introduction

Periodontitis involves the destruction of supporting structures of the teeth, including the alveolar bone.[1]. A large variety of host characteristics influence the progression of periodontitis, including behavioral, social, systemic and genetic factors and the health of the host teeth.[3,4,5] Social and behavioral factors include cigarette smoking, socioeconomic status, nutritional status, psychological factors and excessive alcohol consumption.[4] Research suggests that alcohol consumption is associated with increased severity of periodontitis and may be a risk indicator for periodontal disease.[6,7]. The use of rat models has been validated in the evaluation of periodontal pathogenesis[8] and in the assessment of the influence of risk factors, such as nicotine[9] alcohol[10,11,12] and stress,[13] on disease progression

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