Introduction: Considering the pathophysiology of apical periodontitis (AP), an inflammatory disease characterized by bone resorption, it is likely that bone changes promoted by high-fat- diet (HFD) are also able to influence the mechanism of AP lesions development. Objective: To evaluate by periapical radiography the main effects of a high-fat- diet on mandibular bone in animal models. Methods: Isogenic Wistar rats (n=16), 8 weeks old, were used. Half of the animals were submitted to HFD and the other half to control diet (CD). AP lesions were induced 8 weeks later by creating pulp exposure of the mandibular left first molars. After 40 days, the animals were euthanized. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis (total cholesterol, HDL, VLDL and serum triglycerides) and mandible for radiographic analysis (periodontal ligament space, condyle diameter and mandibular thickness). Results: The HFD promoted significant increase in serum triglyceride (p<0.05) and VLDL (p<0.05) concentrations in the HFD group. The HFD group animals showed a reduction in both condyle diameter (p<0.05) and mandibular thickness (p<0.05), and increased periodontal ligament space (p<0.05) when compared to the CD group. Conclusion: The HFD produced significant changes in the mandibular bone, modifying the periradicular response to endodontic infection. Keywords: Bone; Diet high-fat; Mandible.
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