title: [Histopathologic investigations of nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia in Wistar rats].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, used in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases, can induce gingival overgrowth. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of nifedipine on the deeper periodontal tissues of the experimental animals concerning connective tissue and blood vessels proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research was performed on Wistar rats, and they received the precise doses of nifedipine water suspension while the changes were followed up in pre-determined time intervals. The analyses of samples of tissues were done on the cross-sections of papilla from the top to the bottom on five levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considerable level of changes was observed in the area of dental alveolar edge and in the gingivo-dental interspace. Epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory subepithelial infiltration of lymphoplasmocyte type were also present. Alveolar bone destruction, the increased number of osteoclasts and periodontal destruction were found, as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study showed a significant gingival hyperplasia in the experimental animals which received high doses of drug during extended period of time.
authors.affiliation: Vojnomedicinska akademija, Klinika za stomatologiju, Beograd.
authors.forename: Zlata
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Brkić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000633:toxicity*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000633:toxicity*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009543:Nifedipine