RESUMO
O objetivo foi verificar a influência da deficiência dos hormônios tireoideanos induzida por propiltiouracil (PTU) na mucosa gengival do rato, analisando bioquimicamente as proteínas totais, colágeno (hidroxiprolina) e população celular (DNA). Foram utilizados 50 ratos machos da cepa Sprague-Dawley, separados em 2 grupos: propiltiouracil (PTU) (10 mg/d i.p.), e controle (C), durante 10 semanas. As proteínas totais foram determinadas pelo método de Lowry, a hidroxiprolina pelo método de Newman e DNA pelo método de Burton. Observou-se diminuição das proteínas totais no grupo PTU (PTU= 41,23 ± 24,05; C= 63,36 ± 18,05); não houve diferença na hidroxiprolina e DNA (PTU= 2,18 ± 1,48; C= 2,29 ± 1,51) e (PTU= 0,33 ± 0,19; C= 0,46 ± 0,31). Conclui-se que o tratamento com PTU diminui o conteúdo de proteínas totais na mucosa gengival do rato, provavelmente pela diminuição da síntese protéica, sem alteração do colágeno e da população celular.
This work aimed at verifying the influence of propilthiouracil (PTU)-induced thyroid hormone deficiency on gingival mucosa of young male rats, measuring total protein concentration, collagen content and DNA concentration as indices of cellular population. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The animals were grouped in: PTU-treated (i.p. 10 mg/d) and control rats (C). The experience was maintained for a period of 10 weeks. Total protein content of gingival mucosa tissue was determined by the Lowry method; hydroxyprolin rate, as prototype aminoacid of collagen, was determined using the Newman method, and DNA concentration was measured by Burton's methodology. The results showed decreased amounts of PTU-treated rats gingival total protein content (PTU= 41.23 ± 24.05 vs. C= 63.36 ± 18.05); no alterations were seen in hydroxyprolin concentration neither in DNA content of PTU treated rats, respectively (PTU= 2.18 ± 1.48 vs. C= 2.29 ± 1.51) and (PTU= 0.33 ± 0.19 vs. C= 0.46 ± 0.41). Thus, PTU treatment promotes a decrease in total protein content of rat gingival mucosa that may be interpreted as a decrease in protein synthesis induced by the hypothyroid condition, but with no alteration either in collagen or nucleic acid rates.