Atorvastatin Accelerates Alveolar Bone Loss In Type 1 Diabetic Rats Submitted To Periodontitis

Abstract

Bone loss caused by periodontitis can be potentiated by diabetes. Atorvastatin (ATV), has been tested in periodontitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive activities, but it has been reported to increase the risk of diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of ATV on alveolar bone of rats with periodontitis and diabetes. For this, 72 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Naïve (N), experimental periodontitis (EP), diabetes mellitus (DM) and ATV. DM was induced by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg-ip.), after 12 hours fasting. Following, all animals were submitted to EP. ATV was administered (27 mg/kg, v.o.) 30 minutes before ligature and daily until the 11th day. Animals from N group did not undergo any intervention. After 11 days of EP, all animals had their glycemic rate measured and then were euthanized. Maxillae were collected for macroscopic, micro-tomographic and microscopic analyses. DM caused intense bone loss (60%) marked by reduction on trabecular thickness and bone volume (p<0.05). It was seen a significant reduction on osteoblast with increase on osteoclast counts, as well as, inflammatory infiltrate in the periodontium. ATV was not able to protect bone, improving bone loss by 21%. ATV caused a significant increase (20%) on blood glucose levels. In summary, ATV did not protect alveolar bone loss and did not modulate the inflammation in DM animals submitted to EP. ATV increase of blood glucose levels in these animals. Therefore, the systemic use of ATV in non-controlled diabetic conditions should be carefully evaluated.