MORPHOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND IMUNNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ENAMEL OF FLUOROTIC RAT INCISORS EXPOSED TO AMOXICILLIN WITH CONCOMITANT USE OR NOT OF CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION

• Grant number: 23/08752-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2024 - January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Isabel Maria Porto
• Grantee: Isabel Maria Porto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Raquel Fernanda Gerlach

Abstract

The process of enamel formation is called amelogenesis and is basically divided into the secretion of a highly organic enamel matrix followed by the mineralization process, a phase in which there is an influx of minerals and an almost complete removal of proteins and water.For complete enamel mineralization, proteins must undergo proteolysis by enzymes such as MMP-20 and KLK-4, and be eliminated from the matrix, simultaneously with increased mineral influx, resulting in a highly mineralized, crystalline mature enamel with low organic content. Ameloblasts play a crucial role in enamel formation, and any disturbance in these cells affects amelogenesis.Although amelogenesis has genetic control, external factors can alter this process, such as fluoride and amoxicillin. Some studies report that calcium and vitamin D supplementation during enamel formation attenuate the severity of adverse effects of fluoride on enamel.Fluoride is also associated with the process of ameloblasts apoptosis, through mechanisms initiated by the activation of caspase cascade, especially caspase-3. This process of ameloblasts apoptosis could explain the damage caused to enamel during its formation. The TUNEL reaction is also used for detection of cell death.Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the organic and inorganic content of the incisor enamel of rats with fluorosis in the secretion and mineralization stages, as well as possible cell death of ameloblasts exposed to such substances, and to test the hypotheses of increase in dental fluorosis when using concomitant amoxicillin, as well as a decrease in the severity of fluorosis when using vitamin D and calcium supplementation. (AU)