Anti-inflammatory effect of rosuvastatin decreases alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

The effects of systemically administered rosuvastatin on alveolar bone loss (ABL), cytokine levels and oxidative status were investigated in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. Rats were divided randomly into four groups: a non-ligated group (C); a non-ligated+rosuvastatin group (R); a ligated group (P); and a ligated+rosuvastatin group (PR). Ligatures were placed at the maxillary second molars, and rosuvastatin was administered for 14 days. After the rats had been euthanatized, histomorphometric and histological analyses were performed, and the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10 and oxidant and antioxidant parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase) were evaluted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rosuvastatin significantly decreased the extent of ABL, inflammatory infiltration and osteoclasts in periodontitis, but increased the numbers of osteoblasts. Although rosuvastatin reduced the levels of IL-1ß, they did not differ significantly between the PR and P groups. In the PR group, not only were IL-10 levels significantly higher but also the ratio of IL-1ß to IL-10 was lower than in the P group. Although MDA levels were significantly increased in the P group relative to the C group, they did not differ significantly between the PR and C groups. The present data suggest that rosuvastatin decreases ABL in ligature-induced periodontitis, and that its anti-inflammatory effect is more remarkable than its antioxidant effect.

Antioxidant effects of melatonin in heart tissue after induction of experimental periodontitis in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the oxidative stress in heart tissues after induction of experimental periodontitis in rats. Thirty Wistar Albino male rats were divided into four groups as follows: healthy + saline solution (Hs, n = 7), healthy + melatonin (Hm, n = 7), periodontitis + saline solution (Ps, n = 8), and periodontitis + melatonin (Pm, n = 8). Experimental periodontitis was induced using a ligature placed at the gingival margin of the maxillary second molars. Melatonin was applied intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg) every day for 2 weeks. After sacrificing the rats, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels, and melatonin levels were evaluated. The Pm group exhibited lower alveolar bone loss than the Ps group. Melatonin levels increased in the periodontitis groups, and the Pm group had lower MDA levels and higher GSH-Px levels than the Ps group. These findings suggest that melatonin administration reduces MDA and increases GSH-Px levels in heart tissue, and these effects may be due to its antioxidant properties. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of melatonin on the association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.