Alper Kızıldağ

Therapeutic Effects of Melatonin on Alveolar Bone Resorption After Experimental Periodontitis in Rats: A Biochemical and Immunohistochemical Study

BACKGROUND The present study aims to investigate the effects of systemic melatonin administration on alveolar bone resorption in experimental periodontitis in rats. METHODS Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (control, experimental periodontitis [Ped], and experimental periodontitis treated with melatonin [Mel-Ped]). For periodontitis induction, first molars were ligatured submarginally for 4 weeks. After ligature removal, rats in the Mel-Ped group were treated with a daily single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight melatonin for 15 consecutive days. At the end of the study, intracardiac blood samples and mandible tissues were obtained for histologic, biochemical, and radiographic analysis. Serum markers related to bone turnover, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), and terminal C telopeptide of collagen Type I (CTX) were analyzed. Myeloperoxidase levels were determined in gingival tissue homogenates, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) activation was analyzed in the mandible samples stereologically. Alveolar bone loss was also evaluated radiographically in the mandible samples of each group. RESULTS Melatonin treatment decreased serum CTX levels and increased b-ALP levels. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were not statistically different among groups (P >0.05). Alveolar bone resorption and myeloperoxidase activity were statistically higher in the Ped group compared to the Mel-Ped group (P <0.05). Immunohistochemical staining of RANKL and osteoclast activity were significantly lower in the Mel-Ped group compared to the Ped group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION This study reveals that melatonin treatment significantly inhibits regional alveolar bone resorption and contributes to periodontal healing in an experimental periodontitis rat model.

Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Index and Alveolar Bone Loss in Diabetic Rats With Periodontitis

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of systemic melatonin treatment on serum oxidative stress index (OSI) and alveolar bone loss (ABL) in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontitis. METHODS Seventy Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, experimentally induced periodontitis (EP), DM, EP-DM, EP and melatonin treatment (EP-MEL), DM and melatonin treatment (DMMEL), and EP-DM-MEL groups. DM was induced by alloxan, after which periodontitis was induced by ligature for 4 weeks. After removal of the ligature, the rats in the melatonin groups (EP-MEL, DM-MEL, and EP-DM-MEL) were treated with a single dose of melatonin (10 mg/body weight) every day for 14 consecutive days. At the end of the study, all of the rats were euthanized, and intracardiac blood samples and mandible tissues were obtained for biochemical and histologic analyses. Serum levels of total oxidant status/total antioxidant status and OSI were measured. In addition, neutrophil and osteoclast densities and myeloperoxidase activities were determined in gingival tissue homogenates, and ABL was evaluated with histometric measurements. RESULTS Melatonin treatment significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose levels in the rats with DM. In addition, reduced OSI and ABL levels were detected in the EP-MEL and DM-MEL groups; the reductions in the EP-DM-MEL group were found to be more prominent. Melatonin also significantly decreased the increased myeloperoxidase activities and osteoclast and neutrophil densities in the EP, DM, and EP-DM groups. CONCLUSION It is revealed in this experimental study that melatonin significantly inhibited hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and ABL through antiDM and antioxidant effects in rats with DM and periodontitis.