Dentin hypersensitivity induces anxiety and increases corticosterone serum levels in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the relationships between experimentally induced dentin hypersensitivity (DH) with behavioral, endocrine and dentin erosion data.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats divided into four groups, two controls and two experimental, received tap water or isotonic solution (Gatorade®, lemon, pH2.7) for 30 or 45 days. The DH test was performed by a cold water stimulus on molars. A score (0-3) was given to the rats' pain response. Anxiety was evaluated by the elevated plus maze model and by serum corticosterone levels. The dentin erosion was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Anatomopathological studies were performed on the stomach, adrenal, kidney, and liver.


RESULTS
Relative to control groups, experimental rats showed: 1) increased hypersensitivity scores (control group, 0; experimental groups, 2 (limits 0.5-3) on the 30th day and 2 (limits 1-3) on the 45th day); 2) reduced percentage of time and entries in the open arms and in serum corticosterone levels; 3) totally exposed dentinal tubules on the 30th day in SEM analysis of the teeth; and 4) no alterations in the anatomopathological and histological evaluations.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment with isotonic solution for 30 days was able to induce DH after erosive challenge and severe DH was observed after isotonic solution treatment for 45 days. The pain induced by cold stimuli was consistent with the grade of DH. The close relationships between dental erosion, response to pain, serum levels of corticosterone and the EPM behavior responses reveal the effects of DH at several levels.
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Marcelo R
MR
Bergamini
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: marthabernardi@gmail.com.
Maria M
MM
Bernardi
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ivana B
IB
Sufredini
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Marcia T
MT
Ciaramicoli
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ricardo M
RM
Kodama
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Fernanda
F
Kabadayan
Graduate Program in Dentistry, Paulista University - UNIP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cintia H C
CH
Saraceni
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D014867:Water; D003345:Corticosterone
Anxiety; Behavior; Corticosterone levels; Dentin sensitivity; Stress; Tooth erosion