Alveolar bone loss induced by chronic ethanol consumption from adolescence to adulthood in Wistar rats.

Though there are literature indicating the bone loss due to alcohol consumption, studies on the association between ethanol consumption and periodontal breakdown in animals are either scarce or have provided conflicting results. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic alcohol exposure from adolescence to adulthood on the alveolar bone in rats. Wistar rats were exposed to ethanol (6.5 g/kg/day) in a solution of 22.5% (w/v) or distilled water (control) by gavage from 35 days of age (adolescent) until 90 days (adulthood). Evaluation of the bone loss was performed using scanning electronic microscopy, in which the distances between the cement-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest from the palatal side of the first molar mandibular were measured. The measurements obtained were tabulated and analyzed using Student's t-test. Alcohol-treated group revealed greater bone loss in comparison to the control group. These findings indicate that heavy chronic alcohol exposure from adolescent to adulthood can induce alveolar bone loss in rats associated to absence of periodontitis.

Minocycline reduces alveolar bone loss and bone damage in Wistar rats with experimental periodontitis.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of minocycline on the alveolar bone in experimental periodontitis in rats. Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control without periodontitis; experimental periodontitis induced by ligature; experimental periodontitis + intraperitoneal administration minocycline for seven days. Ligatures remained in place in both periodontitis groups for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized and one hemimandible underwent micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis to assess vertical bone loss and alveolar bone quality. Histopathological analysis was performed on the other hemimandible. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with Tukey's post-test (p<0.05). The results showed a significant reduction in vertical bone loss in the animals treated with minocycline compared with untreated animals. Minocycline also preserved the alveolar bone thickness, number, spacing, and bone volume to tissue volume ratio. Histopathological analysis indicated that minocycline reduced bone resorption, decreased inflammatory response, and maintained the bone collagen fibers. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of minocycline in reducing vertical bone loss and preserved bone quality in rats with experimental periodontitis. The results of this study indicate that minocycline has the potential to serve as an additional treatment option for periodontitis. However, further research is warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of minocycline use in patients with periodontitis.

Association Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Periodontitis-A Systematic Review.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication in diabetic patients and is considered the main cause of visual loss worldwide. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition, which compromises dental supporting tissues. The chronic bacterial challenge in periodontitis is a persistent source of inflammatory mediators that may be associated with insulin resistance, increasing the risk of complications of diabetes mellitus. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence in the association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis. Methods: This review was registered under the number CRD 42019142267. A search strategy in five electronic databases and a gray literature source was performed based on the PECO acronym. After data extraction, the qualitative synthesis and risk of bias analyses were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The level of evidence of all studies taken together was evaluated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Out of the 253 citations screened, five cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis, in which two were judged to be of good quality, one as fair quality, and two as poor quality. Among the included studies, a significant relationship between the severity of periodontitis (CAL > 5 mm) and the severity of diabetic retinopathy (p < 0.05) was reported by four studies. Also, an association between both diseases in non-obese adults was found after adjustments [OR 2.206 (1.114-4.366); p = 0.0232). However, the analysis of evidence by GRADE assessment was rated as low. Conclusions: Although the results of individual studies suggest an association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis, the quality of the body of evidence was judged to be low by the GRADE approach. Further studies with larger sample sizes, adequate models of cofounders' adjustments, and prospective analysis of periodontitis and diabetes conditions ought to be conducted to clarify this association.