title: Facial symmetry evaluation after experimentally displaced condylar process fracture in methotrexate treated rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the facial symmetry of high and low dose methotrexate (MTX) treated rats submitted to experimentally displaced mandibular condyle fracture through the recording of cephalometric measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred male Wistar rats underwent surgery using an experimental model of right condylar fracture. Animals were divided into four groups: A - saline solution (1 mL/week); B - dexamethasone (DEX) (0,15 mg/Kg); C - MTX low dose (3 mg/Kg/week); D - MTX high dose (30 mg/Kg). Animals were sacrificed at 1, 7, 15, 30 and 90 days postoperatively (n=5). Body weight was recorded. Specimens were submitted to axial radiographic incidence, and cephalometric mensurations were made using a computer system. Linear measurements of skull and mandible, as well as angular measurements of mandibular deviation were taken. Data were subjected to statistical analyses among the groups, periods of sacrifice and between the sides in each group (α=0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals regained body weight over time, except in group D. There was reduction in the mandibular length and also changes in the maxilla as well as progressive deviation in the mandible in relation to the skull basis in group D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with high dose methotrexate had deleterious effect on facial symmetry of rats submitted to experimentally displaced condylar process fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, USP, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Samantha Cristine Santos Xisto Braga
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: João Gualberto de Cerqueira
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Luz
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002508:Cephalometry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000293:injuries; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate