Morphological and quantitative analysis of bone repair in ovariectomized rats after lycopene administration

• Grant number: 16/08754-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2016
• End date: August 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Anatomy
• Principal Investigator: Selma Siéssere
• Grantee: Guilherme Luciano Leite
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is undergoing a gradual improvement in life quality, nevertheless, due primarily to the aging of the population, the prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is expected to increase. Thus, the concern for this chronic disease becomes a focus of attention in health, scientific and financial areas. It is known that bone tissue homeostasis is closely linked to genetic factors, frequency and quality of physical activity, hormone levels and intake of foods rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Several studies point to the effectiveness of a balanced diet with the aim of preventing and treating osteoporosis. Lycopene, a carotenoid present in tomatoes and other vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant that acts on bone metabolism, which in turn provides a balance between cell activities responsible for the maintenance of bone tissue. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of lycopene intake in bone repair of defects created in the calvaria of ovariectomized rats. Lycopene will be administered by oral gavage at a dose of 10mg/kg body weight. After 60 days of surgery, bone defects will be created (5 mm wide) and after 31 days, the animals will be sacrificed. Bone fragments will be collected and fixed for subsequent histological processing. The histological sections will be stained with Hematoxylin - Eosin and Masson's Trichrome for morphological and quantitative analysis respectively, which will be performed by the technique of differential point counting. The animals will be divided into the following groups: control/sham group (C); ovariectomized (OVX); ovariectomized + lycopene administration immediately after ovariectomy and bone defect (OVXL) and ovariectomized + lycopene administration only after bone defect (OVXLD). Data obtained will be analyzed by adequate statistical softwares, and the significance set at 5%.