Influence of physical exercise on the development of apical periodontitis: microtomographic analysis in rats

• Grant number: 23/12023-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Gisele Faria
• Grantee: Ana Beatriz Bardasi Solcia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Apical periodontitis (AP) is an osteolytic condition resulting from infection of the root canal system, in which an immune-inflammatory response mediates the destruction of mineralized and non-mineralized periapical tissues. Considering that physical exercise (PE) produces direct anti-inflammatory effects in the individual, it becomes important to study the relationship between AP and PE. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of aerobic PE on bone loss in experimental AP induced in rats, using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Forty male rats will be distributed into 4 groups (n=10): PE with AP, PE without AP, sedentary with AP and sedentary without AP. The experiment will be performed in two consecutive stages: first, 8 weeks of PE (or sedentary lifestyle, for untrained groups); then, AP induction will be performed by exposing the pulp chamber to the oral environment for 3 weeks (21 days). During this period, the animals will continue PE (or will keep sedentary, in untrained groups), totaling 11 weeks. All groups will be subjected to tests to determine maximum physical capacity (Tmax) at the following times: at the beginning of the experiment, to establish the training intensity; at 4 and 8 weeks, to adjust training intensity and evaluate the effectiveness of training protocol; and at 11 weeks, to evaluate the physical performance and effectiveness of the training. For the PE groups, the animals will be submitted to aerobic exercise on a treadmill, with an intensity corresponding to 60% of Tmax, for 1 hour daily, 5 days a week for 11 weeks. The AP will be induced by opening the mandibular first and second molars. At the end of the experiment, the animals will be euthanatized for hemi-mandible collection, which will be examined by Micro-CT assessing periapical bone resorption volume. Statistical tests will be chosen according to the data distribution and homoscedasticity at 5% significance level.