Evaluation of hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress profile in calves under propofol anesthesia.

Propofol is a widely used drug in veterinary medicine to induce anesthesia; as well as the chosen compound for protocols of intravenous anesthesia. The present study aimed to describe the hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress alterations in calves kept under anesthesia by propofol in different dosages. In order to achieve this, eight Holstein calves were induced using propofol in a 5 mg/kg dosage and maintained under continuous propofol infusion for 60 min, having being administered 0.6 mg/kg/h or 0.8 mg/kg/h in crossover design with seven days interval. Blood samples were collected immediately before the anesthesia induction (baseline), and 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h after the procedure started. Statistically relevant propofol influence was observed both in blood and biochemical parameters, with differences between dosages according to the time of infusion. The drug action over oxidative stress was also observed, causing a raise of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with an uric acid increase. Additionally, the increase of triglycerides, induced by the anesthesia maintenance with propofol, caused lipemia in the samples, which was capable of interfering directly in the measurements made by refractometry and spectrophotometry. It was concluded that, in spite of propofol induced alterations in blood and biochemical parameters, such alterations are subtle. In addition to that, the drug presented an antioxidative effect, which reinstates the safety of anesthesia maintenance with propofol in calves.

Hematological and biochemical parameters of premature kids of goats subjected to different dexamethasone protocols / Parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de cabritos prematuros de cabras submetidas a diferentes protocolos de dexametasona

Corticosteroid therapy has been used for ruminants to allow lung maturation and the birth of premature babies. However, when considering laboratory analyses of these animals, very little data is available regarding hematological and biochemical patterns, especially for premature goats, and the effects of corticotherapy on these parameters are unknown. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters during the first hours of life of premature kids from goats subjected to different dexamethasone protocols. For this, the goats were divided into four groups: group I, goats that received 20 mg of dexamethasone at 139 days of gestation; group II, 2 mg of dexamethasone from the 133rd to 136th day of gestation, 4 mg from the 137th to 139th, and 20 mg on the 140th; group III, 16 mg of dexamethasone from the 139th day, with repeated doses every 12 h until elective surgery; and group IV, goats that received 4, 8, 16, and 20 mg of dexamethasone at 137, 138, 139, and 140 days of gestation, respectively. Blood samples were obtained at birth (T0h) and after 1 (T1h), 12 (T12h), 24 (T24h), and 48 h (T48h) of life for hemogram and serum biochemistry assessment of urea, creatinine, total protein (PT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). PT levels and GGT activity were lower at birth in all groups and rose after colostrum ingestion. The creatinine values for all the experimental groups did not differ between T0h and T1h; however, they decreased in the subsequent moments. Except for group I, urea concentrations were higher at T48h than at T1h. The red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin counts decreased over time. The total leukocyte count behaved differently in different experimental groups, and was influenced by the levels of dexamethasone, mainly due to the change in the counts of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes. It was concluded that significant changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters occur in the first hours of life of premature kids, and that the treatment of goats with dexamethasone can affect these parameters in a dose-dependent manner.

A corticoterapia tem sido empregada em ruminantes com o objetivo de permitir a maturação pulmonar e o nascimento de filhotes prematuros. Entretanto, ao se considerar análises laboratoriais desses animais, pouquíssimos dados estão disponíveis quanto aos padrões hematológicos e bioquímicos, especialmente em caprinos prematuros, e tampouco se sabe sobre os efeitos da corticoterapia sobre parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos nesses animais. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos das primeiras horas de vida de cabritos prematuros provenientes de cabras que utilizaram diferentes protocolos de dexametasona. Para tal, as cabras foram divididas em três grupos: grupo I, cabras que receberam 20 mg de dexametasona aos 139 dias de gestação; grupo II, 2 mg de dexametasona do 133° ao 136° dia de gestação, 4 mg do 137° ao 139° e 20 mg no 140° dia; grupo III, 16 mg de dexametasona a partir do 139° dia, com doses repetidas a cada 12 horas até a cirurgia eletiva; e grupo IV, cabras que receberam 4, 8, 16 e 20 mg de dexametasona no 137°, 138°, 139° e 140° dias de gestação, respectivamente. As amostras sanguíneas dos cabritos foram obtidas ao nascimento (T0h), 1 (T1h), 12 (T12h), 24 (T24h) e 48 horas (T48h) de vida para avaliação do hemograma e bioquímica sérica de ureia, creatinina, proteína total (PT) e gamaglutamiltransferase (GGT). Os teores de PT e atividade de GGT foram menores ao nascimento em todos os grupos, elevando-se após ingestão do colostro. Os valores de creatinina em todos os grupos experimentais não diferiram entre T0h e T1H, entretanto, diminuíram nos momentos subsequentes. Com exceção do grupo I, as concentrações de ureia foram maiores no T48h em comparação com o T1h. Os valores de hemácias, hemoglobina, hematócrito e volume corpuscular médio diminuíram ao longo do tempo, enquanto a concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média aumentou ao longo do tempo. A contagem leucocitária total se comportou de maneira distinta nos diferentes grupos experimentais, demonstrado ser influenciada pelos teores de dexametasona principalmente em decorrência da alteração nas contagens de neutrófilos segmentados e linfócitos. Conclui-se que alterações significativas dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos ocorrem nas primeiras horas de vida de cabritos prematuros e o tratamento de cabras com dexametasona também pode afetar tais parâmetros de forma dependente da dose.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of premature goat kids with and without antenatal corticotherapy / Avaliação clínica e laboratorial de cabritos prematuros com e sem corticoterapia antenatal

This article evaluated the vital parameters, blood gas measurements, cortisol values and radiological findings of goat kids born at term and prematurely during the first 48 hours of life. For this purpose, 24 kids from 24 goats were used and assigned to groups as follows: Group I, eight kids born through cesarean sections performed at 149 days of gestation; Group II, eight kids born through cesarean sections performed at 143 days of gestation; Group III, eight kids born through cesarean sections performed at 143 days of gestation, whose mothers received 20 mg of dexamethasone. Group I had lower heart rate values than the other groups at 60 minutes after birth. In terms of temperature, there was no difference between the groups. The pH values were reduced shortly after birth, rising at 24 and 48 hours in all animals studied. In terms of the cortisol levels, the values increased significantly at birth (M0), with the highest values obtained in animals in group II. These values decreased at 48 hours after birth in the evaluated goats. The animals belonging to group I showed better radiographic aspects, and throughout the 48 hours of evaluation, all newborns exhibited adequate respiratory adaptation. It can be concluded that antenatal dexamethasone administered at 143 days of gestation did not influence neonatal viability, metabolic or radiographic parameters. The metabolic changes found are consistent with the extrauterine adaptation period that animals in this stage of life.

O presente artigo teve como objetivo avaliar os parâmetros vitais, hemogasométricos, valores de cortisol e os achados radiológicos, de cabritos nascidos a termo e prematuros, durante as primeiras 48 horas de vida. Para tanto, foram utilizados 24 cabritos oriundos de 20 cabras, distribuídos nos grupos: grupo I: oito cabritos nascidos por meio de cesarianas realizadas aos 149 dias de gestação; grupo II: oito cabritos nascidos por meio de cesarianas realizadas aos 143 dias de gestação; grupo III: oito cabritos nascidos por meio de cesarianas realizadas aos 143 dias de gestação, cujas mães receberam 20 mg de dexametasona. O grupo I apresentou valores mais baixos de frequência cardíaca quando comparados aos demais grupos aos 60 minutos após o nascimento. Em relação à temperatura, não houve diferença entre os grupos nos momentos avaliados. Os valores de pH apresentaram-se diminuídos logo após o nascimento, vindo a elevar-se nos momentos 24 e 48 horas em todos animais estudados. Em relação à análise dos níveis de cortisol, os valores aumentaram de forma significativa no (M0), com os maiores valores obtidos nos animais do grupo II. Esses valores decresceram às 48 horas após o nascimento nos cabritos avaliados. Os animais pertencentes ao grupo I demonstraram melhores aspectos radiográficos, sendo que, ao longo das 48 horas de avaliação, todos os recém-nascidos possuíam adequada adaptação respiratória. Conclui-se que a dexametasona antenatal realizada aos 143 dias de gestação não exerceu influência sobre a viabilidade neonatal, parâmetros metabólicos e radiográficos. As alterações metabólicas encontradas são condizentes com o período de adaptação extrauterina que animais nessa fase de vida enfrentam.

Systemic oxidative stress in Suffolk and Santa Ines sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus.

The mechanisms responsible for the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus are not well established. This study aimed to prove the hypothesis that oxidative stress occurring during infection by H. contortus varies according to breed, and that the parasite burden correlates with hypoalbuminaemia and anaemia. Thus, after deworming and confirming the absence of infection, two different sheep breeds, Suffolk (n = 15) and Santa Ines (n = 22), were orally inoculated with a single dose of 5,000 L3 of H. contortus. The egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV) and concentrations of several plasma markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, albumin, uric acid, total bilirubin, total antioxidant capacity [TAC], total oxidant concentration [TOC] and the oxidative stress index [OSI]) were quantified before (control group) and during the experimental infection (28, 34 and 42 days post-inoculation). In both breeds, TOC increased at 28 days and TAC increased at 42 days. In Suffolk sheep, there was a positive correlation of EPG with oxidant components (28 days) and a negative correlation of EPG with PCV (42 days). In Santa Ines sheep, there was a positive correlation of EPG with bilirubin (r = 0.492; p = 0.020). H. contortus infection caused oxidative stress, which varied according to the breed. Parasite burden was not associated with hypoalbuminaemia, whereas there was a negative correlation with PCV. This research provides the first evidence that the antioxidant status contributes more to the resilience to H. contortus in Santa Ines sheep compared to Suffolk sheep.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids Reduce the Triglyceride Levels in Rats with Apical Periodontitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the prophylactic and therapeutic supplementation with omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (w-3 PUFAs) on the lipid profile and periapical bone resorption in rats with apical periodontitis. Forty male rats were divided into groups: control rats (C), rats treated with w-3 PUFAs (C+O), rats with pulp exposure-induced apical periodontitis (AP), and rats with AP treated with w-3 PUFAs (AP+O). The administration of w-3 PUFAs was carried out orally once a day for 15 days before pulp exposure and, subsequently, for an additional 30 days after pulp exposure. AP was induced by exposing pulpal tissues to the oral environment. The samples were collected after 30 days. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels were enzymatically measured using the Trinder method. The jaws were collected and submitted for histological analysis. Two-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis, and the significance was set at p<0.05. The triglyceride levels of the AP group were significantly higher than those of the C, C+O and AP+O groups (p<0.05). However, the difference in the cholesterol levels among the groups was not significant (p>0.05). Rats with AP showed larger areas of bone resorption as well as higher inflammatory intensity compared with rats with AP supplemented with w-3 PUFAs. It may be concluded that the presence of multiple AP foci increased the triglyceride levels. In addition, omega 3 supplementation might reduce these levels in rats with AP, as well as the bone resorption areas of periapical tissues.

Endodontic infections increase leukocyte and lymphocyte levels in the blood.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of single or multiple apical periodontitis (AP) alters blood cell counts and cytokine production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: a control group comprising rats without AP, a group called 1AP comprising rats with AP in one tooth, and a group called 4AP comprising rats with AP in four teeth. Endodontic infection was induced by pulp exposure of the first right maxillary molar in the 1AP group or by exposing the first and second right maxillary and mandibular molars in the 4AP group. A blood count and cytokine levels were obtained 30 days after infection by collecting blood by cardiac puncture. The maxillae were dissected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the inflammatory infiltrate. The data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Histological analysis showed a predominance of mononuclear inflammatory cells. In blood, significant increase of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in 4AP compared with the control and 1AP groups (P < 0.05) was observed. In addition, significant decrease of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in 1AP and 4AP groups compared with the control was observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the rat model, the presence of multiple AP can affect health by increasing lymphocyte and TNF-α levels in the blood. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presence of endodontic infections can interfere with the blood profile, altering systemic health.

Influence of Apical Periodontitis on Stress Oxidative Parameters in Diabetic Rats.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigated if apical periodontitis (AP) associated with diabetes influenced the levels of endogenous antioxidants, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the oxidant parameter in the serum of Wistar rats. METHODS: Forty male rats were divided into 4 equal groups: normal rats (N), rats with AP (AP), diabetic rats (D), and diabetic rats with AP (D + AP). Diabetes was induced by alloxan (150 mg/kg). AP was induced by exposing the pulpal tissue to the oral environment. After 36 days, blood and maxillae were collected. Albumin, bilirubin, uric acid, TAC, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured, and histologic analysis of the maxillae was performed. P < .05 was set as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: Uric acid levels were higher in the D + AP group when compared with that of the N, D, and AP groups (P < .05). The MDA concentration was higher in the D and D + AP groups when compared with the N and AP groups (P < .05). The level of albumin was lower in the D + AP group when compared with the N, AP, and D groups. Inflammatory infiltration was more intense in the periapical region in the D + AP group compared with that in the AP group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that diabetes may change the antioxidant status, increase the concentration of MDA and uric acid, and decrease albumin levels in the serum. In addition, AP can potentiate the effects of diabetes by reducing the levels of albumin and increasing the levels of uric acid.

A TOXINA URÊMICA ÁCIDO GUANIDINICOACÉTICO INIBE O METABOLISMO OXIDATIVO DOS NEUTRÓFILOS DE CÃES

Abstract Among the uremic toxins proven to affect the neutrophil function in humans with chronic kidney disease (CKD), guanidine compounds stand out. To achieve a clearer understanding of the mechanisms that affect the immunity of uremic patients, the hypothesis that guanidine acetic acid (GAA) contributes to the inhibition of oxidative metabolism and an increase in neutrophil apoptosis in healthy dogs was investigated in vitro. To this end, neutrophils isolated from ten healthy dogs were incubated in pure RPMI 1640 (control) and enriched with 5 mg/L of GAA. Capillary flow cytometry was used to quantify superoxide production in neutrophils with the probe (hydroethidine), in the presence and absence of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), in order to assess oxidative metabolism. Apoptotic indices were quantified using the Annexin V-PE system, with and without the inductive effect of camptothecin. Neutrophils isolated and incubated in a GAA-enriched medium produced smaller amounts of superoxide (p 0.001) when activated with PMA, however, this inhibition of oxidative metabolism occurred without significantly altering their viability or rate of apoptosis. Thus, the results show guanidine compounds contribute to immunosuppression in dogs with CKD.

Resumo Dentre as toxinas urêmicas que comprovadamente afetam a função neutrofílica na doença renal crônica (DRC) em humanos, destacam-se os compostos guanidínicos. A fim de melhor entender os mecanismos que afetam a imunidade de pacientes urêmicos, no presente estudo foi investigada in vitro a hipótese de que o composto guanidínico ácido guanidinicoacético (AGA) contribui para inibição do metabolismo oxidativo, aumentando a apoptose dos neutrófilos de cães saudáveis. Para tal, neutrófilos isolados de dez cães saudáveis foram incubados em meio de cultura RPMI 1640 puro (controle) e enriquecido com 5 mg/L de AGA. Utilizando-se citometria de fluxo capilar para a avaliação do metabolismo oxidativo, quantificou-se a produção de superóxido dos neutrófilos empregando-se a sonda hidroetidina, com e sem a presença do estímulo com acetato miristato de forbol (PMA). O índice apoptótico foi quantificado utilizando-se o sistema Anexina V-PE, com e sem o efeito indutor da camptotecina. Os neutrófilos isolados e incubados em meio enriquecido com AGA, quando ativados com PMA, produziram uma menor quantidade de superóxido (p 0,001), porém tal inibição do metabolismo oxidativo ocorreu sem alterar significativamente a viabilidade e a taxa de apoptose. Assim, os resultados evidenciam que os compostos guanidínicos podem contribuir para imunossupressão de cães com DRC.

A toxina urêmica ácido guanidinicoacético inibe o metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos de cães / Uremic toxin guanidine acetic acid inhibits the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in dogs

Among the uremic toxins proven to affect the neutrophil function in humans with chronic kidney disease(CKD), guanidine compounds stand out. To achieve a clearer understanding of the mechanisms thataffect the immunity of uremic patients, the hypothesis that guanidine acetic acid (GAA) contributesto the inhibition of oxidative metabolism and an increase in neutrophil apoptosis in healthy dogswas investigated in vitro. To this end, neutrophils isolated from ten healthy dogs were incubated inpure RPMI 1640 (control) and enriched with 5 mg/L of GAA. Capillary flow cytometry was usedto quantify superoxide production in neutrophils with the probe (hydroethidine), in the presenceand absence of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), in order to assess oxidative metabolism.Apoptotic indices were quantified using the Annexin V-PE system, with and without the inductiveeffect of camptothecin. Neutrophils isolated and incubated in a GAA-enriched medium producedsmaller amounts of superoxide (p 0.001) when activated with PMA, however, this inhibition ofoxidative metabolism occurred without significantly altering their viability or rate of apoptosis. Thus, the results show guanidine compounds contribute to immunosuppression in dogs with CKD.(AU)

Dentre as toxinas urêmicas que comprovadamente afetam a função neutrofílica na doença renalcrônica (DRC) em humanos, destacam-se os compostos guanidínicos. A fim de melhor entenderos mecanismos que afetam a imunidade de pacientes urêmicos, no presente estudo foi investigadain vitro a hipótese de que o composto guanidínico ácido guanidinicoacético (AGA) contribui parainibição do metabolismo oxidativo, aumentando a apoptose dos neutrófilos de cães saudáveis. Paratal, neutrófilos isolados de dez cães saudáveis foram incubados em meio de cultura RPMI 1640puro (controle) e enriquecido com 5 mg/L de AGA. Utilizando-se citometria de fluxo capilar paraa avaliação do metabolismo oxidativo, quantificou-se a produção de superóxido dos neutrófilosempregando-se a sonda hidroetidina, com e sem a presença do estímulo com acetato miristato deforbol (PMA). O índice apoptótico foi quantificado utilizando-se o sistema Anexina V-PE, com e semo efeito indutor da camptotecina. Os neutrófilos isolados e incubados em meio enriquecido com AGA,quando ativados com PMA, produziram uma menor quantidade de superóxido (p 0,001), porém talinibição do metabolismo oxidativo ocorreu sem alterar significativamente a viabilidade e a taxa deapoptose. Assim, os resultados evidenciam que os compostos guanidínicos podem contribuir paraimunossupressão de cães com DRC.(AU)

A toxina urêmica ácido guanidinicoacético inibe o metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos de cães / Uremic toxin guanidine acetic acid inhibits the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in dogs

Among the uremic toxins proven to affect the neutrophil function in humans with chronic kidney disease(CKD), guanidine compounds stand out. To achieve a clearer understanding of the mechanisms thataffect the immunity of uremic patients, the hypothesis that guanidine acetic acid (GAA) contributesto the inhibition of oxidative metabolism and an increase in neutrophil apoptosis in healthy dogswas investigated in vitro. To this end, neutrophils isolated from ten healthy dogs were incubated inpure RPMI 1640 (control) and enriched with 5 mg/L of GAA. Capillary flow cytometry was usedto quantify superoxide production in neutrophils with the probe (hydroethidine), in the presenceand absence of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), in order to assess oxidative metabolism.Apoptotic indices were quantified using the Annexin V-PE system, with and without the inductiveeffect of camptothecin. Neutrophils isolated and incubated in a GAA-enriched medium producedsmaller amounts of superoxide (p 0.001) when activated with PMA, however, this inhibition ofoxidative metabolism occurred without significantly altering their viability or rate of apoptosis. Thus, the results show guanidine compounds contribute to immunosuppression in dogs with CKD.

Dentre as toxinas urêmicas que comprovadamente afetam a função neutrofílica na doença renalcrônica (DRC) em humanos, destacam-se os compostos guanidínicos. A fim de melhor entenderos mecanismos que afetam a imunidade de pacientes urêmicos, no presente estudo foi investigadain vitro a hipótese de que o composto guanidínico ácido guanidinicoacético (AGA) contribui parainibição do metabolismo oxidativo, aumentando a apoptose dos neutrófilos de cães saudáveis. Paratal, neutrófilos isolados de dez cães saudáveis foram incubados em meio de cultura RPMI 1640puro (controle) e enriquecido com 5 mg/L de AGA. Utilizando-se citometria de fluxo capilar paraa avaliação do metabolismo oxidativo, quantificou-se a produção de superóxido dos neutrófilosempregando-se a sonda hidroetidina, com e sem a presença do estímulo com acetato miristato deforbol (PMA). O índice apoptótico foi quantificado utilizando-se o sistema Anexina V-PE, com e semo efeito indutor da camptotecina. Os neutrófilos isolados e incubados em meio enriquecido com AGA,quando ativados com PMA, produziram uma menor quantidade de superóxido (p 0,001), porém talinibição do metabolismo oxidativo ocorreu sem alterar significativamente a viabilidade e a taxa deapoptose. Assim, os resultados evidenciam que os compostos guanidínicos podem contribuir paraimunossupressão de cães com DRC.

High concentrations of glucose reduce the oxidative metabolism of dog neutrophils in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Dogs are commonly affected by hyperglycemic conditions. Hyperglycemia compromises the immune response and favors bacterial infections; however, reports on the effects of glucose on neutrophil oxidative metabolism and apoptosis are conflicting in humans and rare in dogs. Considering the many complex factors that affect neutrophil oxidative metabolism in vivo, we investigated in vitro the specific effect of high concentrations of glucose on superoxide production and apoptosis rate in neutrophils from healthy dogs. RESULTS: The capacity of the neutrophils to reduce tetrazolium nitroblue decreased significantly in the higher concentration of glucose (15.13 ± 9.73% (8 mmol/L) versus 8.93 ± 5.71% (16 mmol/L)). However, there were no changes in tetrazolium nitroblue reduction at different glucose concentrations when the neutrophils were first activated with phorbol myristate acetate. High concentrations of glucose did not affect the viability and apoptosis rate of canine neutrophils either with or without prior camptothecin stimulation. This study provides the first evidence that high concentrations of glucose inhibit the oxidative metabolism of canine neutrophils in vitro in a manner similar to that which occurs in humans, and that the decrease in superoxide production did not increase the apoptosis rate. CONCLUSIONS: A high concentration of glucose reduces the oxidative metabolism of canine neutrophils in vitro. It is likely that glucose at high concentrations rapidly affects membrane receptors responsible for the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils; therefore, the nonspecific immune response can be compromised in dogs with acute and chronic hyperglycemic conditions.

Pulpal and periodontal diseases increase triglyceride levels in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate triglyceride and cholesterol levels in diabetic rats and their relationship with pulpal and periodontal diseases. METHODS: Eighty male rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar) were divided into the following eight groups comprising ten animals each: normal rats (G1), rats with pulpal diseases (G2), rats with periodontal diseases (G3), rats with both pulpal and periodontal diseases (G4), diabetic rats (G5), diabetic rats with pulpal diseases (G6), diabetic rats with periodontal diseases (G7), and diabetic rats with both periodontal and pulpal diseases (G8). Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin, periapical lesions were induced by exposing pulpal tissue to the oral environment, and periodontal diseases were induced by periodontal ligature. The animals were killed after 30 days, and lipid profile was enzymatically measured using Trinder's method. The total assessed values were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The triglyceride levels of diabetic rats with periodontal disease and of diabetic rats with both periodontal and pulpal diseases were significantly higher than those of normal rats and nondiabetic group rats, respectively. The differences in the cholesterol levels among the groups were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the association of pulpal and periodontal diseases with diabetes increased triglyceride levels in rats. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Changes in lipid profile may be related to the presence of oral infections and diabetes.