ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#The aim of this study was to induce oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rat models by arecoline and mechanical stimulation.@*METHODS@#Two factors factorial design was used to divide 48 rats into 8 groups (n=6). Different concentrations of arecoline (0, 0.5, 2, and 8 mg·mL⁻¹) and mechanical stimulation (with or without brush) were treated. After 16 weeks of treatment, the mouth opening was measured, the pathological changes of the buccal mucosa were observed, and the expressions of type Ⅲ collagen, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected.@*RESULTS@#In rats with moderate and high concentrations of arecoline, typical OSF pathological features were observed in the buccal mucosa, the mouth openings were significantly reduced, and the expression levels of type Ⅲ colla-gen and TGF-β1 were significantly increased (P0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Moderate and high concentrations of arecoline can induce OSF in SD rats, but mechanical stimulation cannot induce OSF.