Gingival and salivary changes induced by agents that after the cytosolic functional availability of calcium

ABSTRACT

Drugs that alter the cytosolic functional availability of calcium [Ca2+] verapamil hydrochloride [V], and trifluoperazine [TFP], were probed for probable gingival and/or salivary involvements and were compared with result induced by phenytoin [Ph]. The study was conducted on 28 dogs that were equally divided into 4 group receiving IM twice daily saline [1 ml] as control [C] [n=7], 5 mg/kg [Ph][n=7] 200ug/kg [V] [n=7] and 250 ug/kg [TFP] [n=7] for three continous months. Gingival findings revealed, that overgrowth index [OGI] was significantly increased by Ph, but was insignificantly increased by V and TFP, while the growth index [Gl] was significantly increased by V and TFP but not by Ph in comparison to C. When comparing to Ph, the OGI was significantly lower and theGI significantly higher by V and TFP, but no significant difference was found between the results of the two drugs. Histopathologically, Ph induced fibroblastic gingival hyperplasia, TFP induced epithelial gingival hyperplasia and V induced atrophic gingival changes. Parotid results revealed that, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxy tryptamine significantly decreased by V and TFP in comparisn to C and Ph. Sodium was significantly lowered by Ph and V but not by TFP, potassium was significantly increased by V but not by Ph and TFP and chlorides were insignificantly altered by any drug in comparison to C. No significant change in any of the monovalentions existed between V, TFP and Ph and no significant change in all chemical estimates were found between V and TFP. Histopathologically, Ph preserved salivary parenchyema, TFP induced its shrinkage and V caused its atrophy. The probable causes behind the changes encountered were discussed. One can conclude that these groups of drugs, induce varying grades of gingival overgrowthes that are different in nature and etiopathogenesis. Regarding of V and TFP their salivary changes were markedly contributing to their gingival changes indicating that Ca2+ antagonism, though operating could not be the sole provocateur and that metabolites specific to each drug may have a modifying role