Effects of alcohol and nicotine consumption on the development of apical periodontitis in rats: a correlative micro‐computed tomographic, histological and immunohistochemical study

Abstract

AimTo evaluate the effects of alcohol and nicotine, when used alone or simultaneously, in the development of apical periodontitis induced in rats, using a correlative analytic approach with micro‐CT, histological and immunohistochemical analysis.MethodologyTwenty‐eight male Wistar rats were arranged into four groups: Control, Nicotine, Alcohol and Alcohol + Nicotine. The alcohol groups were exposed to self‐administration of a 25% alcohol solution, whilst the other groups drunk only filtered water. The nicotine groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of a solution with 0.19 μL of nicotine per mL, whilst the other groups received saline solution. The pulps of the left mandibular first molars were exposed for 28 days to induce periapical lesions. Throughout the experiment, drug administration was maintained, and the animals had their weight and solid and liquid consumption measured. After euthanasia, the mandibles were removed and the area, volume and major diameter of the periapical lesions were measured using micro‐computed tomography images. The samples were submitted to histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry for RANKL and PTHrP. Statistical analysis was undertaken with a significance level of 5%. Nonparametric data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn's test, whilst one‐way anova followed by Tukey's test was performed for parametric data.ResultsThe alcohol groups had lower solid and liquid consumption and gained less weight when compared to the nonalcohol groups (P < 0.05). The Alcohol + Nicotine group had lesions with significantly larger volume and area when compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), whilst the Alcohol or Nicotine groups had significantly larger lesions than the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the largest diameter of the lesions amongst groups (P > 0.05). The experimental groups had greater inflammatory response scores than the control group (P < 0.05), and the representative samples had more pronounced immunoreaction against RANKL and PTHrP antibodies.ConclusionsAlcohol and nicotine consumption exacerbated the inflammatory response and the development of periradicular lesions in rats. The association of both substances enhanced their harmful effects.

Comparison of EASYDO ACTIVATOR, passive ultrasonic, and needle irrigation techniques on the treatment of apical periodontitis: a study in rats

“…Cleaning and shaping procedures are the key factors in controlling inflammation in the root canal and periapical areas [ 25 ]. Many new endodontic instruments have been introduced and used extensively in endodontics to deliver irrigants into the area after instrumental preparation, which has been shown to be an effective way to reduce apical inflammation [ 11 , 26 ].…”

Root canal treatment of compromised teeth as alternative treatment for patients receiving bisphosphonates: 60‐month results of a prospective clinical study

“…A immunohistological study suggested a more intense inflammatory infiltrate, extensive areas of bone resorption and higher immunoreaction against RANKL antibodies in animals exposed to nicotine compared to not exposed specimens (Pinto et al . 2020b). It may be expected that this effect may be increased in patients with low‐immune response such as in patients taking antiresorptive medications (i.e.…”

“…It is known that smoking induces delayed bone repair (Kubota et al 2016) and impaired inflammatory response, due to vasoconstriction and reduction of local oxygenation, restricting the inflow of nutrients and oxygenation in the local tissue (Segura-Egea et al 2015). A immunohistological study suggested a more intense inflammatory infiltrate, extensive areas of bone resorption and higher immunoreaction against RANKL antibodies in animals exposed to nicotine compared to not exposed specimens (Pinto et al 2020b). It may be expected that this effect may be increased in patients with low-immune response such as in patients taking antiresorptive medications (i.e.…”

Evolution of endodontic medicine: a critical narrative review of the interrelationship between endodontics and systemic pathological conditions

“…Smoking habits and excessive alcohol consumption are the main causes of preventable death in the world [146,147]. Recently, a study evaluated the influence of alcohol associated with nicotine consumption on AP in rats [148]. The result showed intense inflammatory infiltrate and greatest periapical lesion in this association.…”