Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Triggers the Development of Periodontal Disease in Rats

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease in diabetic patients presents higher severity and prevalence; and increased severity of ligature-induced periodontal disease has been verified in diabetic rats. However, in absence of aggressive stimuli such as ligatures, the influence of diabetes on rat periodontal tissues is incompletely explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the establishment and progression of periodontal diseases in rats only with diabetes induction. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats (n = 25) by intravenous administration of alloxan (42 mg/kg) and were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after diabetes induction. The hemimandibles were removed and submitted to radiographical and histopathological procedures. A significant reduction was observed in height of bone crest in diabetic animals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, which was associated with increased numbers of osteoclasts and inflammatory cells. The histopathological analyses of diabetic rats also showed a reduction in density of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and blood vessels. Severe caries were also detected in the diabetic group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results demonstrate that diabetes induction triggers, or even co-induces the onset of alterations which are typical of periodontal diseases even in the absence of aggressive factors such as ligatures. Therefore, diabetes induction renders a previously resistant host into a susceptible phenotype, and hence diabetes can be considered a very important risk factor to the development of periodontal disease

Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth, is There any Relationship?

Aim: Prematurity and low birth weight are major causes of neonatal morbidity, mortality and long-term disability. The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists between periodontal disease and preterm birth (PT). Material and methods: 59 females from the delivery ward at St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, MO. Group I had 29 women who had Preterm birth (PT). Group II had 30 women whose babies were born full term (T). Full-mouth periodontal examination performed. Data collected about risk factors: race, maternal age, pregnancy complications; infections/inflammation; number of previous pregnancies and chemical abuse. Mothers were considered to have moderate to severe periodontal disease if ≥ 10% of sites measured ≥ 5 mm probing depth. Nominal logistic regression analysis used to calculate the odds of having a preterm birth infant having moderate to severe periodontal disease while adjusting for other risk factors. Results: After adjustment for smoking, preeclampsia, and infections/inflammation other than periodontitis, a statistically significant association was found between preterm birth and moderate to severe periodontitis (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.2-37.5, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Moderate to severe periodontal disease may be an independent risk factor for preterm birth