GENE EXPRESSION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS AND INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF APICAL PERIODONTITIS SUBJECTED TO CHRONIC STRESS

• Grant number: 25/12205-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Endodontics
• Principal Investigator: Rayana Duarte Khoury
• Grantee: Gabriella Serrão Abreu Conceição
• 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

This study aims to investigate the effects of chronic stress on the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-¿, and IL-10) and enzymes involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4) associated with apical periodontitis (AP), evaluating both local and systemic aspects of the inflammatory response. Thirty-two male Wistar rats will be used, divided into four experimental groups: control, chronic stress, AP, and AP associated with chronic stress. AP will be induced by pulp exposure, and chronic stress will be induced using a mild unpredictable stress protocol for 42 days. After euthanasia, periapical tissues will be collected for gene expression analysis via RT-PCR, while plasma samples will be used for cytokine quantification using multiplex immunoassay. Statistical analysis will be performed using ANOVA followed by appropriate post-hoc tests, with a significance level of 5%. The study is expected to identify significant alterations in gene expression profiles of oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines associated with the presence of AP and stress, contributing to a better understanding of the immunoinflammatory mechanisms linking endodontic infections to systemic responses modulated by chronic stress.