Effect of vitamin A on experimentally induced diabetic mucosal changes of buccal cavity of adult male albino rats. A light and electron microscopic study

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by periodontal disease and several soft tissue lesions. Scientific and epidemiological data suggested a long synergy between nutrition and the integrity of the tissues of the oral cavity in health and disease. Forty two adult male albino rats were used in the current study in order to evaluate the role of vitamin A in treatment of diabetic changes in the mucous membrane of the cheek. The animals were divided into 2 major groups, a control [I] and an experimental group [II]. The experimental group was further divided into 4 equal subgroups. Subgroup IIa, was the diabetic subgroup. Subgroup IIb included diabetic rats that received insulin. Subgroup IIc was the diabetic subgroup that received vitamin A. Subgroup IId was formed of diabetic rats that received both insulin and vitamin A. Oral form of vitamin A [retinyl palmitate] was topically applied to the buccal cavity. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. Diabetes in the present study resulted in cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the cheek. The junctions between the cells showed dilated spaces. Areas of keratinization were observed between the epithelial cells, there was also patchy areas of loss of the superficial cells. The subepithelial connective tissue showed congested blood capillaries. Some of these changes were still observed in subgroup IIb that received insulin treatment alone. Topical application of retinyl palmitate together with insulin resulted in that the mucous membrane of the cheek showed a very similar picture to that of the control. In conclusion, the mucosa of the oral cavity was found to be greatly affected by diabetes mellitus. Insulin alone was not sufficient to treat these changes. Topical application of oral form of vitamin A together with insulin resulted in a marked improvement. It is recommended that diabetic patients have to use a mouth gargle or tooth paste to which oral form of vitamin A [retinyl palmitate] was added