Evaluation of local and systemic oxidative stress parameters in stressed rats with induced apical periodontitis

• Grant number: 23/16696-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Rayana Duarte Khoury
• Grantee: Rayana Duarte Khoury
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Marcia Carneiro Valera Garakis

Abstract

The objective of the present project is to evaluate through an animal model whether chronic stress associated with apical periodontitis (AP) influences parameters related to oxidative metabolism. Thirty-two Wistar rats will be used, divided into 4 groups: Non-stressed control group without endodontic infection (C); group of non-stressed animals with endodontic infection (AP); group of stressed animals without endodontic infection (E); group of animals stressed with endodontic infection (E+AP). Animals in groups (E) and (E+AP) will be subjected to the chronic unpredictable stress protocol for 6 weeks. AP will be induced in groups (AP) and (E+AP) 21 days after the start of the stress protocol. At the end of the 6th week of the experiment, hematological tissue will be collected followed by euthanasia to collect the mandibles and maxillae. Serum levels of endogenous antioxidants (albumin, bilirubin, uric acid), total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) will be measured. The gene expression of superoxide-generating enzymes that form reactive oxygen species (NOX1, NOX2 and NOX4) in the periapical region of the maxillae will be evaluated using RT-PCR. The mandibles will be subjected to histological analysis and microcomputed tomography for data correlation. The significance level will be set at 5% for all tests. (AU)