Abstract
Radioprotective agents like selenium are used to reduce the damage caused by radiation in healthy tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium selenite on the development of the molars of offspring of rats irradiated during odontogenesis. Twenty pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, irradiated, selenium and selenium/irradiated. The selenium and selenium/irradiated groups received 0.3 mg/kg of sodium selenite at 18 days of pregnancy. The rats of the irradiated and selenium/irradiated groups received a single dose of 4 Gy of X rays on the abdominal region at the 19th day of pregnancy. The offspring was sacrificed at 3 and 4 days after birth for evaluation of the birefringence of the enamel organic matrix, and at 30 days for evaluation of the intercuspal dimensions of the molars. The selenium/irradiated group was similar to the irradiated group with respect to the thickness and irregularity of the enamel organic matrix region in the evaluated birefringence, as the intercuspal dimensions of the molars. In conclusion, sodium selenite had no radioprotective action on the development of the molars of offspring of rats irradiated during odontogenesis and had a toxic effect in the initial time.
Highlights
Radiotherapy is a treatment frequently used for malignant tumors
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium selenite on the development of the molars of offspring of rats irradiated during odontogenesis
The results show reduction in the bucco-palatal/lingualcentral intercuspal measurements of the irradiated group in comparison with the selenium/irradiated group, without statistical difference between the maxillary and mandibular molars
Summary
Radiotherapy is a treatment frequently used for malignant tumors. The success of radiotherapy depends on both the adequate dose of radiation and minimization of the adverse effects that radiation may cause in the organism.Various alterations may develop in the irradiated organism, such as cerebral, renal, maxillomandibular complex alterations [1], xerostomia, osteoradionecrosis, mucositis and disturbances in the growth and development of teeth [2]. The success of radiotherapy depends on both the adequate dose of radiation and minimization of the adverse effects that radiation may cause in the organism. Institution of oncological therapy at the stage of morphodifferentiation may cause alteration of the cells involved in odontogenesis and consequent delay and changes in tooth development [3]. Dental enamel is a highly mineralized tissue formed by hydroxyapatite crystals. Its formation occurs extracellularly by cells called ameloblasts, which produce proteins that gather in an ordered manner [4], originating a temporary matrix with the important function of controlling the growth, morphology and orientation of the crystals [5]. Defects in enamel formation are among the most common alterations in human dentition
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