title: Local opioids in a model of periodontal disease in rats.
abstract: There is growing evidence for the participation of opioid receptors in the development of inflammation. The present study was designed to clarify the role played by opioid receptors in periodontal disease. Periodontal disease was induced by placing a sterile silk ligature around the cervix of the second maxillary tooth on day 0. Morphine was administered either systemically or locally before and after the onset of periodontal disease. The results showed that in both patterns, morphine treatment reduced fiber attachment and alveolar bone loss, without affecting the increased leukocyte count in the gingivae. Naltrexone, a specific opioid antagonist, reversed the inhibitory effects induced by morphine in diseased rats, while the increased number of inflammatory cells remained unaffected. These results point to a possible role for local opioids in experimental periodontal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Campus da Pampulha, CEP 31270-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cinthia M F
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Celso M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: Kátia L M
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Maltos
authors.forename: Marcelo V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Caliari
authors.forename: Orivaldo A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Janetti N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Francischi
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D007267:Injections; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009271:Naltrexone; D009020:Morphine