Evaluation of endogenous antioxidant activity in rats with induced apical periodontitis subjected to chronic stress

• Grant number: 24/17985-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Rayana Duarte Khoury
• Grantee: Maryane Pereira Rezende
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of chronic stress associated with apical periodontitis on parameters related to oxidative metabolism. Forty Wistar rats will be used, divided into 4 groups: Control group, non-stressed and without endodontic infection (C); group of non-stressed animals with endodontic infection (PA); group of stressed animals without endodontic infection (E); group of stressed animals with endodontic infection (E+PA). The animals in groups (E) and (E+PA) will undergo the unpredictable chronic stress protocol for 6 weeks. PA will be induced in groups (PA) and (E+PA) after 21 days from the beginning of the stress protocol. At the end of the 6th week of the experiment, hematological tissue will be collected, followed by euthanasia to collect the jaws. Serum levels of albumin, bilirubin, and uric acid will be quantified through the following biochemical analyses: albumin will be measured using the bromocresol green method; uric acid by the uricase method; and bilirubin by the diazotized sulfanilic acid method. The jaws will undergo histological analysis for data correlation. The significance level will be set at 5% for all tests. (AU)