Effects of alcohol and nicotine consumption on the development of apical periodontitis in rats: a correlative micro‐computed tomographic, histological and immunohistochemical study

• Published in: International endodontic journal 2020-09, Vol.53 (9), p.1238-1252
• Main Authors: Pinto, K. P., Ferreira, C. M. A., Guimarães, A. F. C., Lima, C. O., Pires, F. R., Sassone, L. M., Silva, E. J. N. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; alcoholism; Computed tomography; Dentistry; Endodontics; Gum disease; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Kruskal-Wallis test; Lesions; Mandible; micro‐computed tomography; Molars; Nicotine; osteoclastogenesis; Parathyroid hormone-related protein; periapical periodontitis; Periodontitis; Rodents; Statistical analysis; Teeth; tobacco smoking; TRANCE protein
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.13344

Aim To evaluate the effects of alcohol and nicotine, when used alone or simultaneously, in the development of apical periodontitis induced in rats, using a correlative analytic approach with micro‐CT, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Methodology Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were arranged into four groups: Control, Nicotine, Alcohol and Alcohol + Nicotine. The alcohol groups were exposed to self‐administration of a 25% alcohol solution, whilst the other groups drunk only filtered water. The nicotine groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of a solution with 0.19 μL of nicotine per mL, whilst the other groups received saline solution. The pulps of the left mandibular first molars were exposed for 28 days to induce periapical lesions. Throughout the experiment, drug administration was maintained, and the animals had their weight and solid and liquid consumption measured. After euthanasia, the mandibles were removed and the area, volume and major diameter of the periapical lesions were measured using micro‐computed tomography images. The samples were submitted to histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry for RANKL and PTHrP. Statistical analysis was undertaken with a significance level of 5%. Nonparametric data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn's test, whilst one‐way anova followed by Tukey's test was performed for parametric data. Results The alcohol groups had lower solid and liquid consumption and gained less weight when compared to the nonalcohol groups (P