Ultrastructural changes in epithelial cells of rats exposed to low concentration of hydrogen sulfide for 50 days

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) and other volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) appear mainly in the oral air of patients with halitosis. It seems that VSCs are directly involved in the pathogenesis of gingival diseases. In previous studies, short-term (7 hours-4 days), high concentrations (5-400 ppm) of HS applications on periodontal tissues have been evaluated in a culture medium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of lower (equivalent to halitosis) concentrations of HS on rat gingival tissue for longer-term inhalation. The threshold level of pathologic halitosis perceived by humans at 250 ppb of HS was converted to rat equivalent concentration (4.15 ppm). Rats in the experimental (HS) group (n=8) were exposed to HS continuously but not the control rats (n=8). After 50 days, the gingival sulcular tissue samples of each rat were taken and examined using transmission electron microscope. Ultrastructural changes in the sulcular epithelia of the rat gingiva showed deformation of celullar shape, vacuolization, and disintegrity of intercelullar connection by loss of desmosomes and collagen fibrils. No basal membrane damage was observed. Inhalation of low levels of HS (equivalent of halitosis) in the oral environment causes ultrastructural celullar damages in rat sulcular mucosa. These results suggest that halitosis may be the potential reason for periodontal destruction in humans.

The Role of Oral Microbiota in Intra-Oral Halitosis

“…The H 2 S is a known genotoxic agent, which has an impact on genomic instability and cumulative mutations [68]. In studies on rats, it was demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide leads to ultrastructural changes in epithelial cells and periodontal destruction [69]. Increased amounts of H 2 S by the activation of proliferation, migration, and invasion can also lead to carcinogenesis [70,71].…”

Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Oral Disease

“…Intraoral halitosis is caused by several factors including oral bacteria and diseases [ 77 ]. Mimicking intraoral halitosis by treating rat epithelial cells with low concentrations of H 2 S gas for 50 days results in significant changes in cellular structure, vacuolization, and loss of intercellular matrix resembling halitosis in human [ 78 ]. An increase in the abundance of H 2 S-producing oral bacteria in oral biofilm has been associated with the disease [ 79 ].…”

Effect of lemon essential oil on halitosis

“…VSCs can cause the damage to fibroblasts, resulting in periodontal disease (Chen et al, 2010; Yaegaki et al, 2008). At the same time, VSCs can be transported to various organs of the body through blood, influencing the normal function and metabolic activity of tissues and organs (Hu et al, 2014; Yalcin Yeler et al, 2016). Therefore, the excessive production of VSCs not only affects the social interaction of patients but also harms oral and systemic health.…”

“…blood, influencing the normal function and metabolic activity of tissues and organs (Hu et al, 2014;Yalcin Yeler et al, 2016). Therefore, the excessive production of VSCs not only affects the social interaction of patients but also harms oral and systemic health.…”