Restraint stress enhances alveolar bone loss in an experimental rat model.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of restraint stress on periodontal breakdown resulting from Porphyromonas gingivalis-challenged periodontitis in rats.


METHODS
To examine the influence of restraint stress on periodontal breakdown, rats were orally challenged with the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis. Twenty male, specific pathogen-free (SPF) 3-wk-old, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: group A (controls), group B (exposed to restraint stress for 12 h/d for 22 d), group C (orally challenged with P. gingivalis), and group D (exposed to restraint stress for 12 h/d for 22 d and orally challenged with P. gingivalis). After 22 d, all animals were killed. The distance from the alveolar bone crest to the cemento-enamel junction was determined, concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone were measured as stress markers, and atrophy of the thymus and spleen were assessed. In addition, the furcation area of the maxillary molars was examined histologically, while gingival cytokine gene expression was assessed by mRNA using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
In the restrained group, all stress markers were elevated, and the thymus and spleen were atrophied. Combined restraint stress and oral challenge with P. gingivalis resulted in significantly higher bone loss, and osteoclasts were observed. RT-PCR analysis revealed low cytokine gene expression in the restrained groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the presence of restraint stress significantly enhances the progression of P. gingivalis-challenged periodontitis in rats.
Nakajima
K
K
Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan.
Hamada
N
N
Takahashi
Y
Y
Sasaguri
K
K
Tsukinoki
K
K
Umemoto
T
T
Sato
S
S
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000209:etiology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D023421:Models, Animal; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger