Morphometric analysis and ultrastructure of the epithelium of the oral mucosa in diabetic autoimune NOD mice

ABSTRACT

Several study have examined the deterious effects of diabetes on the oral mucosa. In this study, we examined the histological, ultrastructural and stereological changes in the oral epitelium of diabetic NOD mice and correlated the findings with the processes of tissue repair, healing and susceptibility to infection. Twenty-seven female mice were allocated to one the three experimental groups (n=9/group) BALB/c control mice, non diabetic NOD mice and diabetic NOD mice. After confirmation of the diabetic state based on the urine glucose levels, tissue sample were collected from chek mucosa and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. Diabetic NOD mice showed atrophy of the oral epithelium with definite cellular polimorphism and indistinguishable cell layers. The alteration seen included a reduced number of cell organelles, cell membrane disorganization, the accumulation of lipid droplets in the cell cytoplasm, an increased intercellular space and light superficial desquamation. Non-diabetic NOD mice showed only moderate morphological alterations in the cheek mucosa. These results indicate that diabetes adversely affects the morphology of the cheek mucosa, which may compromise tissue function to favor the occurence of oral infections.