title: Effect of zinc-deficient nutrition on craniofacial bone growth in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient that is required in humans and animals for the growth, development, and maintenance of healthy bones. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of zinc-deficient nutrition on the dental, mandibular, maxillary, and cranial dimensions of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  This experimental study was carried out on 14 male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into two groups. Group I rats were fed with a Zn-deficient (ZD) diet, and Group II rats with a Zn-containing (ZC) diet. All the rats on the experimental diet were killed at the end of the fourth week and their blood samples were taken. The serum Zn levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Radiographic assessment of the jaw bone density was done at the end of the study. Subsequently, the final measurements were made on the dry skulls, the mandibles, and teeth in both the groups. Statistical evaluation was performed by the student's t-test and repeated measures analysis. The difference between the groups was considered statistically significant if P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ZD group showed a significantly lower value in body weight (P < 0.05), serum level of zinc (P < 0.0001), and radiographic bone density of the mandible (P = 0.02). With regard to the craniofacial parameters, a significant difference was observed only in the length of the clinical crowns of the teeth (L13), which were longer in group II as compared to group I (P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirmed that changes in zinc intake could not affect the growth of craniofacial structures. Also, it might change the radiographic bone density of the mandible.
authors.affiliation: Dental Materials Research Center, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Seyedmajidi
authors.affiliation: Dental Materials Research Center, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seyedmajidi
authors.affiliation: Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Aliakbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moghadamnia
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haghanifar
authors.affiliation: Students Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Reihaneh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ziaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zahedpasha
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Valioallah
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arash
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jorsaraei
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Sohrab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halalkhor
keywords: Craniofacial bones; rats; zinc deficiency