Renata Oliveira Samuel1,2, João Eduardo Gomes-Filho1, Mariane Maffei Azuma1,3, Dóris Hissako Sumida4, Sandra Helena Penha de Oliveira4, Fernando Yamamoto Chiba4, Suely Regina Mogami Bomfim5, Paulo César Ciarlini5, Luis Gustavo Narciso5, Luciano Tavares Angelo Cintra6. 1. Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), R: José Bonifácio, 1193, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. Department of Clinical Dentistry, Dental School, UNIUBE-Universidade de Uberaba, Uberaba, MG, Brazil. 3. Department of Endodontics, Ingá University Center, UNINGÁ, Rod. PR 317, 6114 - Parque Industrial 200, Maringá, PR, 87035-510, Brazil. 4. Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. 5. Department of Veterinary Clinical Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. 6. Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), R: José Bonifácio, 1193, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. lucianocintra@foa.unesp.br.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of single or multiple apical periodontitis (AP) alters blood cell counts and cytokine production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: a control group comprising rats without AP, a group called 1AP comprising rats with AP in one tooth, and a group called 4AP comprising rats with AP in four teeth. Endodontic infection was induced by pulp exposure of the first right maxillary molar in the 1AP group or by exposing the first and second right maxillary and mandibular molars in the 4AP group. A blood count and cytokine levels were obtained 30 days after infection by collecting blood by cardiac puncture. The maxillae were dissected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the inflammatory infiltrate. The data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Histological analysis showed a predominance of mononuclear inflammatory cells. In blood, significant increase of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in 4AP compared with the control and 1AP groups (P < 0.05) was observed. In addition, significant decrease of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in 1AP and 4AP groups compared with the control was observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the rat model, the presence of multiple AP can affect health by increasing lymphocyte and TNF-α levels in the blood. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presence of endodontic infections can interfere with the blood profile, altering systemic health.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of single or multiple apical periodontitis (AP) alters blood cell counts and cytokine production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: a control group comprising rats without AP, a group called 1AP comprising rats with AP in one tooth, and a group called 4AP comprising rats with AP in four teeth. Endodontic infection was induced by pulp exposure of the first right maxillary molar in the 1AP group or by exposing the first and second right maxillary and mandibular molars in the 4AP group. A blood count and cytokine levels were obtained 30 days after infection by collecting blood by cardiac puncture. The maxillae were dissected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate the inflammatory infiltrate. The data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Histological analysis showed a predominance of mononuclear inflammatory cells. In blood, significant increase of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in 4AP compared with the control and 1AP groups (P < 0.05) was observed. In addition, significant decrease of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in 1AP and 4AP groups compared with the control was observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the rat model, the presence of multiple AP can affect health by increasing lymphocyte and TNF-α levels in the blood. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presence of endodontic infections can interfere with the blood profile, altering systemic health.