Effects of melatonin in the insulin signaling and inflammatory pathway of rats with apical periodontitis

• Grant number: 19/12995-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2019
• End date: August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Doris Hissako Matsushita
• Grantee: Julia Ogata Santelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The relationship between oral inflammatory processes and systemic health has become an aspect of great interest in the medical and dental community since the number of publications on this subject has increased considerably in recent years. Apical periodontitis (PEA) is an oral inflammation associated with an increase in proinflammatory cytokines that attenuate the insulin signal, contributing to insulin resistance (IR). Previous results from our laboratory have demonstrated that adult rats with PEA show alterations in the insulin signal in peripheral tissues and IR. It is known that melatonin (MEL) promotes improved insulin sensitivity. In this sense, we hypothesized that the administration of MEL in rats with PEA can prevent IR in those animals. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of the administration of MEL on insulin sensitivity and the initial step of the insulin signal in adult rats with PEA. For this, 72 Wistar rats at 60 days of age were randomly distributed in 4 groups (n = 18): a) control (CN); b) control supplemented with MEL (CNMEL); c) rats with PEA induced in the first and second molars (upper and lower) on the right side (PEA); d) PEA supplemented with MEL (PEAMEL). The PEA will be induced at 60 days of age using a carbon steel drill with a ball at the end with 0.1 mm in the first and second upper and lower right molars. After induction of PEAs, administration of MEL (5 mg / kg) orally (diluted in drinking water) for 60 days will be initiated. At the end of the treatment, the following parameters will be analyzed: 1) glycemia; 2) insulinemia; 3) insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR); 4) quantification of the tyrosine phosphorylation status of pp185 after insulin stimulus in the soleus muscle (SM) and long digital extensor muscle (EDL). Statistical analysis will be performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) of two factors, followed by the Bonferroni test and differences between groups will be considered significant when p < 0.05.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TAVARES, B. S.; TSOSURA, T. V. S.; MATTERA, M. S. L. C.; SANTELLI, J. O.; BELARDI, B. E.; CHIBA, F. Y.; CINTRA, L. T. A.; SILVA, C. C.; MATSUSHITA, D. H.. Effects of melatonin on insulin signaling and inflammatory pathways of rats with apical periodontitis. International Endodontic Journal, JAN 2021. (18/23346-3, 19/12995-3, 19/18589-7)

TAVARES, B. S.; TSOSURA, T. V. S.; MATTERA, M. S. L. C.; SANTELLI, J. O.; BELARDI, B. E.; CHIBA, F. Y.; CINTRA, L. T. A.; SILVA, C. C.; MATSUSHITA, D. H.. Effects of melatonin on insulin signaling and inflammatory pathways of rats with apical periodontitis. International Endodontic Journal, v. 54, n. 6, p. 15-pg., 2021-01-27. (18/23346-3, 19/12995-3, 19/18589-7)