Effect of obesity on alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in Wistar rats.
Obesity has been linked to higher inflammatory status and periodontal breakdown.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of obesity on alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats.


METHODS
Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: obese (n=13), which were fed with "cafeteria diet" (CAF diet--high amounts of sucrose and fat) for 90 days in order to gain weight, and non-obese (n=11) regularly fed rats. Ligature-induced experimental periodontitis was created in all animals. Body weight differed statistically between obese and non-obese groups (277.59 and 223.35 g, respectively) at the moment of the ligature placement. Morphometric registration of alveolar bone loss was carried out after 30 days of ligature placement to determine the effect of obesity on the progression of experimental periodontitis.


RESULTS
Intra-group comparisons showed significantly higher alveolar bone loss mean values in maxillary teeth with ligature (P<0.05). Alveolar bone loss [mean (SD), mm] was not statistically different between obese and non-obese groups [0.71 (0.09) and 0.65 (0.07) mm, respectively]. However, when palatal sides are analyzed separately, obese group presented significantly higher alveolar bone loss (P<0.05) as compared to non-obese [0.68 (0.12) and 0.53 (0.13) mm, respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the weak differences, it is possible to conclude that the progression of alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis can be potentially influenced by body weight in rats.
Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, RS, Brazil. gilianonv@hotmail.com
Giliano Nicolini
GN
Verzeletti
Eduardo José
EJ
Gaio
Daniele Sigal
DS
Linhares
Cassiano Kuchenbecker
CK
Rösing
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008026:Ligation; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats