Effect of Maternal Apical Periodontitis on the Activation of Inflammatory and Insulin Pathways in the Placenta of Rats

• Grant number: 25/01600-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Doris Hissako Matsushita
• Grantee: Kelly Fernanda da Silva Soares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent years, the relationship between oral inflammation and systemic disorders has become a topic of great interest within the medical and dental scientific community. In this context, studies have shown that maternal periodontal disease (PD) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm birth. Furthermore, it has been observed that periodontal pathogens induce changes in placental structure. Apical periodontitis (AP) is an oral inflammatory process in the region of the apex of the dental root, associated with increased inflammatory cytokines that may contribute to systemic changes. The objective of the present study is to investigate the inflammatory pathway in pregnant rats with AP. For this purpose, the following evaluations will be performed in the placentas of rats with AP and control rats (CN): 1) weight (g); 2) TNF-a content; 3) phosphorylation degree of IKKa/b. Eighteen Wistar rats (2 months old) will be used, divided into three groups (n=6/group): 1) CN rats; 2) rats with one AP induced in the right upper first molar; 3) rats with four APs induced in the first and second upper and lower molars on the right side. AP will be induced using a carbon steel drill with a 0.1 mm sphere at the tip. After 30 days of pulp exposure, rats from all groups will be placed for mating. The rats will be euthanized on the twentieth day of pregnancy to perform the following experiments on placentas: 1) weight (g); 2) TNF-¿ content by Western blotting (WB); 3) degree of IKK¿/¿ phosphorylation by WB; 4) evaluation of Akt serine phosphorylation degree in MG. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistical analysis will be performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test. The significance level will be set at 5%, and data processing will be conducted using GraphPad Prism software version 9.0.