Gabriela Gennaro
São Paulo University, Brazil
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Diabetes Metab
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus comprises a group of disorders with the main feature of hyperglycemia. Chronic hyperglycemia increases the severity of periodontal disease via an exacerbated inflammatory response. In particular, green tea has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties mediated by its poly-phenol content. Objectives: This study investigated the mechanisms by which green tea attenuates the spontaneous onset of diabetes-induced periodontitis. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats via intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic and control animals were divided into water-treated and green tea-treated subgroups and were analyzed at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after diabetes induction. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantitatively evaluate TNF-α, RANKL, OPG, IL-10 and RUNX-2 expression in serial sections of each hemi-maxilla. Morphometric measurements of the distance from the cementum-enamel junction of the superior distal root of the first molar to the alveolar bone crest were performed to assess bone loss. Results: Diabetes resulted in significant bone loss and positive cells for inflammatory mediators. In the diabetic rats treated with green tea, we observed a decreased number of cells expressing RANKL and TNF-α compared with that observed in the diabetic rats treated with water. Additionally, green tea increased the numbers of cells that stained positive for OPG, RUNX-2 and IL-10 in the diabetic rats. Conclusion: Green tea intake reduces expression of TNF-α and RANKL to normal levels while increasing expression of IL-10, RUNX-2 and OPG. Therefore, green tea represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes-related periodontal disease.
