Effects of exposure to aluminum citrate in a model of induced alveolar bone loss in rats

ABSTRACT

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust and is found naturally in the air, water, and soil. Al may pose a major threat to humans, causing diseases and bone disorders. Nevertheless, the effects of Al on alveolar bone are not reported in the literature. Here, we investigated the effects of sub-chronic intoxication with Al citrate in a model of alveolar bone loss, induced by ligature, in male Wistar rats. The animals were exposed to Al citrate (100 mg/kg/day), by gavage, for 30 days. We used 40 rats equally divided into four groups Control; Experimental Periodontitis (EPeriodontitis); Al; Al+EPeriodontitis. After exposure period, we evaluated the concentration of Al in the blood and alveolar bone, as well as the Al measurement in alveolar bone. The results showed that the Al exposure promoted distribution of Al in blood serum and in the alveolar bone. The Al exposure per si results in alveolar bone loss as well as potentiates damages of periodontitis induced cases. These results suggest that levels aluminum in the blood and alveolar bone induce alveolar bone loss, besides present aggravating effect in the presence of induced periodontitis