The Influence of Alcohol Consumption in Conjunction with Sex Hormone Deficiency on Ca/P Ratio in Rats.

Deficiency of sex hormones and excessive alcohol consumption are factors that have been related to alterations in the pattern of bone mineralization and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible alterations in the calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio in the femur of rats subjected to sex hormone deficiency and/or alcohol consumption. Methods. Female and male Wistar rats (n = 108) were divided into ovariectomized (Ovx), orchiectomized (Orx), or sham-operated groups and subdivided according to diet: alcoholic diet (20% alcohol solution), isocaloric diet, and ad libitum diet. The diets were administered for 8 weeks. The Ca/P ratio in the femur was analyzed by energy dispersive micro-X-ray spectrometer (µEDX). Results. Consumption of alcohol reduced the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. The isocaloric diet reduced the Ca/P ratio in females. In groups with the ad libitum diet, the deficiency of sex hormones did not change the Ca/P ratio in females or males. However, the combination of sex hormone deficiency and alcoholic diet presented the lowest values for the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. Conclusions. There was a reduced Ca/P ratio in the femur of rats that consumed alcohol, which was exacerbated when combined with a deficiency of sex hormones.

Extended Periods of Alcohol Intake Negatively Affects Osseointegration in Rats.

The negative effects of chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol on bone metabolism are reported in the literature. Alcoholism causes a reduction in bone quality and delays fracture repair, among other deleterious effects. However, its effect on osseointegration in dental implants is not fully established. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of prolonged and excessive consumption of alcohol on osseointegration in rats. Thirty-five female rats, 3 months of age, were divided into five groups according to alcohol consumption period: control (no alcohol), and 3, 4, 5, and 6 months of alcohol consumption. All animals received solid food ad libitum. At 8 months of age, all animals received a dental implant in the right femur, and euthanasia was performed 1 month after the implant placement (final n = 27). Quantification of the percentage of bone-implant direct contact was performed by histomorphometry. Serum levels of calcium and phosphate were also measured. The groups that consumed alcohol for longer periods presented decreased percentages of bone-implant direct contact. The difference was higher in implants apical region. Alcohol consumption did not affect serum calcium levels but raised the level of serum phosphate. Alcohol consumption increased caloric intake but also increased weight loss. It was concluded that chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol can impair osseointegration in rats.

Control of microorganisms of oral health interest with Arctium lappa L. (burdock) extract non-cytotoxic to cell culture of macrophages (RAW 264.7).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa L. extract on Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. In addition, the cytotoxicity of this extract was analyzed on macrophages (RAW 264.7). DESIGN: By broth microdilution method, different concentrations of the extract (250-0.4 mg/mL) were used in order to determine the minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) in planktonic cultures and the most effective concentration was used on biofilms on discs made of acrylic resin. The cytotoxicity A. lappa L. extract MMC was evaluated on RAW 264.7 by MTT assay and the quantification of IL-1ß and TNF-α by ELISA. RESULTS: The most effective concentration was 250 mg/mL and also promoted significant reduction (log10) in the biofilms of S. aureus (0.438 ± 0.269), S. epidermidis (0.377 ± 0.298), S. mutans (0.244 ± 0.161) and C. albicans (0.746 ± 0.209). Cell viability was similar to 100%. The production of IL-1ß was similar to the control group (p>0.05) and there was inhibition of TNF-α (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A. lappa L. extract was microbicidal for all the evaluated strains in planktonic cultures, microbiostatic for biofilms and not cytotoxic to the macrophages.

Alcoholic and isocaloric diet, but not ovariectomy, influence the apoptosis of bone cells within the alveolar bone crest of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Studies suggest that chronic alcoholism as well as oestrogen deficiencies may affect bones in general, including alveolar bone and, by doing so, increase individuals' susceptibility to develop progressive periodontal disease. This paper aims to verify the influence of chronic alcoholism and/or oestrogen deficiencies in the apoptosis of bone cells of the alveolar bone crest region in rats. DESIGN: Initially, 54 rats were divided into ovariectomized (Ovx) and Sham operated (Sham) groups. Thirty days after surgery, these two groups were equally sub-divided, and received, for 56 days, the following dietary intervention: alcoholic diet (with 20% alcohol solution,), isocaloric diet and ad libitum diet (free diet). Analysis was undertaken by immunohistochemistry, using an antibody to detect apoptosis (anti PARP p-85). RESULTS: When comparing the six experimental groups, no significant differences were observed in the apoptosis of bone cells. Also, there was no significant difference in the quantity of cells undergoing apoptosis when the animals from Ovx groups were compared with those from Sham groups. However, when comparing only different dietary groups, differences were observed between the groups ad libitum and isocaloric, to osteoblasts (p=0.045); and ad libitum and alcohol, to osteocytes (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that ovariectomy was not able to influence the rate of apoptosis of bone cells of the alveolar bone crest region in rats and that a possible influence of diet on apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes cannot be ruled out.

Negative effects of alcohol intake and estrogen deficiency combination on osseointegration in a rat model.

Alcohol intake and estrogen deficiency can both affect bone physiology and have shown to have an adverse effect on dental implant therapy. However, the combination of both factors on osseointegration is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate osseointegration in rats fed with alcohol and presenting induced estrogen deficiency. Ninety-six female rats were divided according to diet and hormonal condition into 6 groups as follows: group Sh-W: sham (simulated ovariectomy) control, food and water ad libitum; group Sh-Et: sham, food and 20% ethanol solution ad libitum; group Sh-Su: sham, food and sucrose solution controlled to ensure an isocaloric diet in relation to Sh-Et; group Ov-W: ovariectomy, food and water ad libitum; group Ov-Et: ovariectomy, food and 20% ethanol solution ad libitum; and group Ov-Su: ovariectomy, food and sucrose solution controlled to ensure an isocaloric diet as Ov-Et. The groups were subdivided according to time of euthanasia: 30 and 45 days after placement of implants. Implant surgery was performed 1 month after ovariectomy or sham. After euthanasia, the femurs were removed and evaluated by histomorphometry. Groups Ov-Et and Ov-Su showed the lowest percentage of bone-to-implant contact. The combination of alcohol intake and estrogen deficiency, and the combination of estrogen deficiency and reduced ingestion of food can negatively affect osseointegration in rats.

Homeopathic treatment for bone regeneration: experimental study.

AIM AND METHOD: The objective of this research was to study the effect of homeopathic treatment with Plumbum metallicum (Plumbum met.) on mandibular bone repair in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the mandibles of 60 male rats, approximately 3-month-old, randomly divided into three groups of 20 animals each: control, treated with calcitonin, and treated with a homeopathic medicine. A circumscribed bone defect measuring 4mm in diameter was made in the mandible and covered with a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) barrier. The group treated with calcitonin received 2IU/kg intramuscularly three times a week; the group treated with Plumbum met. 30c received three drops in water every day. The animals were sacrificed after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The mandibles were removed and submitted to histologic and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and by the Tukey test. The interaction effect (ANOVA, F df(6; 48)=4.64; p=0.001<0.05) indicated that the relationship between treatments was not the same at each time of sacrifice. Although statistical analysis of the histomorphometric data showed a similar results for the treated and control groups. But histological analysis showed complete filling of the surgical defect throughout its extent was only for the group treated with Plumbum met. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that for repair of surgical defects in rat mandibles Plumbum met. 30c and control did not differ significantly in histomorphometric terms.

Effect of an alcoholic diet on dental caries and on Streptococcus of the mutans group. Study in rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an alcohol diet on Streptococcus of the mutans group and on dental caries in the oral cavity of rats. Forty animals were divided into 3 groups according to the following liquid diets: 20% ethanol solution (Alcohol Group, AG), 27% sucrose solution (Isocaloric Group, IG), and water (Control Group, CG). After 56 days, samples were collected and plated on Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar to assess the number of colony forming units (CFU/mL) of Streptococcus of the mutans group. The animals were sacrificed and the jaws were removed in order to assess the occurrence of dental caries on the smooth and occlusal surfaces using stereomicroscopy. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test. The average numbers of CFU/mL (10(3)) were: 8.17 (AG), 9.78 (IG), and 5.63 (CG). There was no significant difference among the groups for the occurrence of occlusal caries. Regarding smooth surface caries, in the upper jaw, the caries number in the IG (1.58) was similar to that in the AG (2.06) and in the CG (1.14), and the number of caries in the AG was higher than in the CG; in the lower jaw there was significant difference among the 3 groups: AG (1.14), IG (2.00) and CG (0.43). The diets with the alcohol and sucrose solutions presented a tendency of increasing the colonization by Streptococcus of the mutans group and of increasing the occurrence of smooth surface dental caries in rat molars when compared to the control diet.

Comparative therapeutic use of Risedronate and Calcarea phosphorica--allopathy versus homeopathy--in bone repair in castrated rats.

Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by progressive bone loss, has been the target of several studies in the past few years. It results in a much higher risk for fractures and might cause slower bone lesion healing. The aim of this work was to study the effects of Risedronate (allopathic medicine) and Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (homeopathic medicine) on the repair of bone lesions in male rats with osteoporosis induced by castration. Eighty-four three-month-old rats were used divided into four groups of twenty-one animals each. Three groups where castrated and one group was submitted to Sham surgery. One month later, cortical lesions were made in all animals' tibiae and, after one day, the different experimental treatments began according to the following groups: CR--castrated/Risedronate (1 mg/kg/day); CCp--castrated/Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (3 drops/day); CP--castrated/placebo and SP--Sham/placebo. The animals were sacrificed at seven, fourteen and twenty-eight days after the beginning of the treatments and had their tibiae removed. Digital radiographs of the tibiae were taken and analyzed in order to evaluate the optical density of the defect area. Then, they were decalcified and processed for histological and histomorphometrical analysis. The data were submitted to ANOVA, and to the Tukey and Dunnett tests (5%). The allopathic and homeopathic treatments led to different bone formation as regards remodeling and maturation aspects. Further research is necessary to access the resistance and quality of the newly formed bone.

Estrogen deficiency and periodontal condition in rats: a radiographic and macroscopic study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficiency as a risk factor of periodontal disease in rats. Forty 90-day old female rats were either ovariectomized (OVX; n=20) or sham operated (SHAM; n=20). After 30 days, periodontitis was induced by placement of a cotton ligature around the upper second molars of 10 OVX and 10 SHAM animals. All animals were sacrificed 5 weeks later. Body weight was assessed before all surgical procedures. The left hemimaxillas were removed and the percentage of periodontal bone support was determined radiographically and buccal alveolar bone loss was determined macroscopically using an image-analysis software. Furcation involvement was also evaluated. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA at 5% significance level. Within the evaluated period, the ovariectomized rats gained more weight than the sham-operated animals (p<0.001). The animals in which periodontitis was induced had less bone support, greater alveolar bone loss and furcation involvement than those without ligature (p<0.001). However, there was no difference between ovariectomized and sham-operated animals (p>0.05). Based on the findings of this study, estrogen deficiency could not be considered as a risk factor for periodontal disease.

The effect of alcohol consumption on periodontal bone support in experimental periodontitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the alcohol consumption on the periodontal bone support (PBS) in experimental periodontitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three male rats were divided into seven groups: G1 (control); G2 (10% ethanol); G3 (nutritional control of G2); G4 (20% ethanol); G5 (nutritional control of G4); G6 (30% ethanol) and G7 (nutritional control of G6). The groups G3, G5 and G7 received controlled diets with equivalent caloric amounts to those consumed in G2, G4 and G6 respectively, with the ethanol replaced by sucrose. After anesthesia, ligatures were installed around the mandibular first molar, leaving the contralateral teeth unligated. After 8 weeks, the rats were killed and their mandibles were radiographed to measure the percentage of PBS on the distal aspect. RESULTS: The intragroup analyses showed that presence of ligatures induced periodontitis (p<0.05). Unligated groups did not show significant differences among the percentages of PBS (p=0.1969). However, in ligated groups the rats that received alcohol (G2:48.71%+/-3.88; G4:47.66%+/-2.54; G6:47.32%+/-3.24) and the nutritional control group associated with a high concentration of ethanol (G7:47.40%+/-3.24) presented a significantly lower percentage of PBS than the other groups (G1:52.40%+/-2.75; G3:52.83%+/-2.41; G5:50.85%+/-4.14). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that alcohol consumption in rats may result in a direct effect on alveolar bone loss and increased development of periodontitis. In addition, they suggest that heavy caloric consumption of ethanol may also present an indirect effect on periodontal tissue as a consequence of malnutrition.

Evaluation of digital optical density of bone repair in rats medicated with ketoprofen.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of ketoprofen on bone repair process in tibiae of rats by means of analysis of the digital optical density. Twenty Wistar rats were assigned to two groups: an untreated control group and a group treated with ketoprofen. The experimental procedures comprised the following stages: general anesthesia, preparation of a unicortical bone defect on the left tibia of each rat, medication with ketoprofen and radiographic examination. Digital radiographic images were acquired using Visualix GX-S-HDI digital sensor and an x-ray equipment. Radiographs were taken at baseline, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days postoperatively and the optical density (OD) was evaluated using the Vix win 1.4 system. The mean values of OD readings were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test with significance level set at á=5%. The control group showed a statistically significant correlation (p=0.001) between time and optical density, while the ketoprofen group exhibited a weak and not statistically significant correlation (p=0.100). The control group presented the smallest OD ratios at days 1 and 7, and the greatest OD ratios at days 14, 21 and 30, with statistically significant difference (p=0.001). There was no significant differences (p=0.100) among the OD ratios in the ketoprofen group, regardless of the evaluation period. The findings of this study suggest that ketoprofen influenced bone repair process because there was an increase in optical density during the first week and delayed new bone formation after the 21st day.