Dental mineralization and salivary activity are reduced in offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Abstract

Several pathologies have been diagnosed in children of hypertensive mothers; however, some studies that evaluated the alterations in their oral health are not conclusive. This study analyzed the salivary gland activity and dental mineralization of offsprings of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Thirty-day-old SHR males and Wistar rats were studied. The salivary flow was evaluated by injection of pilocarpine, the protein concentration and salivary amylase activity, by the Lowry method and kinetic method at 405 nm, respectively. Enamel and dentin mineralization of the mandibular incisors was quantified with aid of the microhardness meter. The results were analyzed by the ANOVA or Student's t test (p<0.05). It was noticed that the salivary flow rate (0.026 mL/min/100 g ± 0.002) and salivary protein concentration (2.26 mg/mL ± 0.14) of SHR offspring were reduced compared to Wistar normotensive offspring (0.036 mL/min/100 g ± 0.003 and 2.91 mg/mL ± 0.27, respectively), yet there was no alteration in amylase activity (SHR: 242.4 U/mL ± 36.9; Wistar: 163.8 U/mL ± 14.1). Microhardness was lower both in enamel (255.8 KHN ± 2.6) and dentin (59.9 KHN ± 0.8) for the SHR teeth compared to the Wistar teeth (enamel: 328.7 KHN ± 3.3 and dentin: 67.1 KHN ± 1.0). These results suggest that the SHR offspring are more susceptible to development of pathologies impairing oral health, once they presented lesser flow and salivary protein concentration and lower dental mineralization.

Inluence of hypertension on oral infections and endodontic treatment

“…38 Hypertension can also be associated with a high susceptibility to the development of pathologies that impair oral health, which can decrease salivary flow and protein concentration of saliva. Elias et al 39 found that salivary flow and average concentration of proteins in saliva were reduced, but with no changes in salivary amylase activity in hypertensive cases. Additionally, the authors also observed, by means of microhardness analysis, that teeth of hypertensive rats have lower enamel and dentin resistance.…”

“…Additionally, the authors also observed, by means of microhardness analysis, that teeth of hypertensive rats have lower enamel and dentin resistance. 39 Furthermore, Inoue et al 40 suggested that the mechanism of mineralization in hypertensive rats is abnormal, given that their trabecular bone presented a lower mineral state in both young and adult rats.…”

Atenolol increases dental mineralization in male offspring of treated hypertensive rats and normotensive rats

“…2 In animals, the male offspring (30 days old) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have mandibular incisor teeth with decreased enamel and dentin hardness as compared to the male offspring of normotensive Wistar rats. 3 Poor mineralization of these dental structures might favor the condition described as Declaration of Interests: The authors certify that they have no commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the manuscript. amelogenesis imperfecta, which is observed in the teeth of Stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP).…”

Relationship between hypertension and periapical lesion: an in vitro and in vivo study

“…18,19,20,21,22 Few studies can be found correlating endodontic disease and hypertension. Allareddy et al, 23 conducted a retrospective study where they found that 24.6% of patients hospitalized for periapical abscesses were hypertensive.…”