Periodontitis in a high-altitude hypoxic environment through rat model simulation

The morbidity of periodontitis is considered significantly higher in plateau areas than in other areas. In this study, we aimed to establish a rat model that simulates hypoxic periodontitis and investigate the pathogenesis of periodontitis in plateau hypoxic areas. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 80) were randomly divided into hypoxic control group, hypoxic experimental group (HE group), normoxic control group and normoxic experimental group (NE group). We discussed the correlation between clinical periodontal parameters and cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), in Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF). Results showed that the SD rat model successfully simulated human periodontitis. TNF-α and PGE2 levels in GCF of the HE group were significantly higher than those of the NE group (p<0.01). Attachment loss, plaque index and bleeding index showed a positive correlation with TNF-α and PGE2. However, IL-8 level in the HE group was lower than that in the control groups (p<0.01). A negative correlation was observed between IL-8 and the clinical periodontal parameters (p<0.01). The hypoxic environment may influence the expression and the secretion of TNF-α, PGE2 and IL-8 in periodontal tissues. TNF-α, PGE2 and IL-8 were significantly related with clinical periodontal parameters in hypoxic environments. © 2013 Academic Journals Inc.