Search for new therapeutic strategies: investigating the impact of the Heme Oxygenase-Carbon Monoxide pathway on periodontitis in rats

• Grant number: 23/14676-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Guilherme de Siqueira Branco
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Lopes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the supporting and protective tissues around the teeth. The recommended conventional treatment consists of scaling and root planing. In recent years, several therapeutic approaches have been proposed for the treatment of periodontal diseases. However, to date, the therapeutic strategies available to prevent the progression of periodontal disease have not demonstrated full effectiveness. Previous studies demonstrate a marked anti-inflammatory role of the Heme Oxygenase (HO)-Carbon Monoxide (CO) pathway, as well as the CO donor, CORM-401, but there are no reports on the possible effect of this pathway on periodontitis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the action of a CO donor, administered orally, on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. The animals will be divided into 6 groups (n=9). After 7 days of the ligature remaining in place, the following will be assessed: 1) the possible presence of mechanical allodynia in experimental periodontitis and the possible effectiveness of treatment with CORM-401; 2) the levels of cytokines present in plasma and gingival tissue; 3) the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes using the conventional zymography technique and 4) alveolar bone loss in the jaw of animals with periodontitis treated or not with CORM-401. The results of this project have the potential to improve the understanding of the inflammatory process related to periodontitis, in particular the likely anti-inflammatory effect of CO, offering new perspectives on effective therapeutic approaches in the treatment of this condition.