Evaluation of anti-depressive drugs and adrenergic blockers in the development of apical periodontitis

• Grant number: 18/19340-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal researcher: Marcia Carneiro Valera Garakis
• Grantee: Carolina Fedel Gagliardi
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to investigate and evaluate the progression of the periapical lesion under conditions of chronic stress and to explore the mechanisms of stimulation of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. It will also be investigated a pharmacological pathway of inflammatory modulation through the systemic use of adrenergic blocker and antidepressant. Considering the positive effect using Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants in modulating the inflammatory response in periodontal disease under stress conditions, fluoxetine will be used as an SSRI. It will also be evaluated its association with -adrenergic blocker (propranolol), which shows the ability to inhibit possible side effects from long-term use of fluoxetine. An animal model of apical periodontitis and chronic stress will be used. The parameters related to the periapical bone structure will be evaluated by computerized micro tomography and the histomorphometric analysis will also be performed to evaluate the histopathological aspects and extent of the periapical lesion. The data will be evaluated by descriptive and inferential statistical tests, according to data obtained, according to their normality, with parametric or non-parametric tests.