Exposure to lead exacerbates dental fluorosis.

AIM: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that co-exposure to lead and fluoride alter the severity of enamel fluorosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were allocated in four groups: control, and 3 groups that received water containing 100 ppm of fluoride (F), 30 ppm of lead (Pb), or 100 ppm of F and 30 ppm of Pb (F+Pb) from the beginning of gestation. Enamel analysis and F and Pb determinations in enamel, dentine, and bone were performed in 81-day-old animals. Fluorosis was quantified using a new fluorosis index based on the identification of incisor enamel defects (white bands and white islets, representing hypomineralization, and cavities) weighted according to their severity and quantity. Hypomineralization was validated histopathologically by polarizing microscopy and microradiography. Scores were given by two blinded calibrated examiners (intra and interexaminer kappa values were 0.8 and 0.86, respectively). RESULTS: The control and the Pb groups presented normal enamel. The F+Pb group presented more severe enamel defects compared with the F group (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that lead exacerbates dental fluorosis in rodents, suggesting that co-exposure to lead may affect the degree of fluorosis.

[Implantation of flakes of castor oil resin in rat dental alveolus]. / Implante de um floculado de resina de mamona em alvéolo dental de rato.

The purposes of the present study were: 1) to investigate the biocompatibility of a natural resin (made of fatty acids extracted from Ricinus communis) implanted in the dental alveolus of rats and 2) to verify any possible interference of that material in the osseous healing following tooth extraction. The resin (AUG-EX, Poliquil Araraquara Polímeros Químicos LTDA, Araraquara--SP) was placed inside de alveoli immediately after extraction of the upper right incisors. The animals were sacrificed 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after extraction or extraction + implantation. The hemi-maxillae were decalcified and processed for paraffin embedding. Longitudinal 6-micrometer-thick semi-serial sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were obtained. Histologic examination showed particles of irregular shape and variable size (700-1200 microns) localized in the medium/cervical alveolar thirds, with a scanty but persistent foreign body reaction. From the second week on, as the relative volume of bone trabeculae increased, it was seen in close contact with the surface of the implanted material in some regions. Histometric analysis (differential point counting method), used to quantify the healing process in the apical third, showed a small but significant decrease (13%-20%) in new bone formation in the implanted rats. In conclusion, the results show that, in spite of its biocompatible nature, the studied resin hinders the post-extration healing process.

A histometric study in rats of the effect of the calcium antagonist amlodipine on bone healing after tooth extraction.

The purpose was to investigate whether amlodipine, a second-generation calcium antagonist used for the treatment of hypertension and angina, interferes with healing of rat alveolar bone. A progressive increase in volume density of new bone filling the socket was quantified by a histometric differential point-counting method 7-42 days after tooth extraction. The results showed a 20-30% decrease in bone volume fraction in the alveolus of amlodipine-treated animals from 7 days on, in addition to a higher (7-35%) volume fraction of connective tissue and a tendency toward an increase in the volume fraction of persisting coagulum. If confirmed in humans, the knowledge of a deleterious effect of Ca-channel blockers in hindering alveolar bone healing would be important in planning oral operations involving bone tissue, including those for device implantation.

Antireproductive effect of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine in male rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether treatment of male rats with the calcium antagonist amlodipine, used in the treatment of hypertension and angina, interferes with the reproductive function of male rats. Amlodipine treatment (0.04 mg amlodipine besylate/rat/day for 30 days) decreased plasma follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone but not luteinizing hormone or prolactin concentrations (measured by double-antibody radioimmuno-assay). A significant reduction (23%) was observed in sperm density (sperm suspension collected from the cauda epididymidis) as well as in the amount of mature spermatids (14%) and Sertoli cells (9%) counted in seminiferous tubule cross-sections (400 x magnification). The results reveal the deleterious effects of subacute amlodipine treatment on the reproductive function of male rats.

Histologic and histometric evaluation of rat alveolar wound healing around polyurethane resin implants.

The biocompatibility of polyurethane resin-implants derived from castor bean (Ricinus communis) was analyzed in the rat dental alveolus. Histometric evaluation of trial areas adjacent to the implants showed, by week 1, the polymer granules encircled by a conspicuous capsule and surrounded by immature connective tissue. By weeks 2 and 3, the implants were surrounded by less prominent fibrous capsules and most of the tested area was occupied by mature trabecular bone. By week 6, the fibrous capsule was thinner and the tested area was almost totally covered with bone, which in several places was in close contact with the implants. The results suggest that the material is compatible, as it was progressively integrated into alveolar bone in the wound-healing process.

Chronology of alveolar healing following immediate implantation of Ricinus communis polyurethane resin: histometric analysis in rats.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether granules of Ricinus communis polyurethane resin implanted immediately after tooth extraction interfere with the time course of alveolar wound healing in rats. Progressive bone neoformation in parallel to a decrease in the volume fraction of connective tissue was quantified by a histometric method 1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after tooth extraction. In spite of the biocompatible nature, the presence of polyurethane resin granules in the cervical third led to a small (9-22%) but significant delay in bone formation in the middle and apical alveolar thirds from the second week on, as compared to controls.