RESEARCH ARTICLE


Structural and Ultra-Structural Features of the First Mandibular Molars of Young Rats Submitted to Pre and Postnatal Protein Deficiencies



L.A Gonçalves, S.C Boldrini*, T.S.O Capote, C.B Binotti, R.A Azeredo, D.T Martini, B Rosenberg, W.G Bautz, E.A Liberti*
Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil


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Creative Commons License
© Gonçalves et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http: //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tel: +55-11-3091-7226; Fax +55-11-3091-7366; E-mails: sboldrin@usp.br and ealibert@icb.usp.br


Abstract

The effects of protein malnutrition, both in utero and prior to weaning, on formation of the first mandibular molars were evaluated by phase-contrast and electron microscopy in rats. The nourished group (GI) received a diet that included 20% casein, while the malnourished group (GII) received 5% casein. The first mandibular molars from GII exhibited low density of cells and odontoblasts, which lacked regular organization compared with molars from GI. In addition, a difference in collagen type was observed between the groups, with a prevalence of Type III collagen fibers detected in the dentin, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone of GII, and a prevalence of Type I collagen fibers in GI. Finally, examination of surface area in molar sagittal sections indicated 30% less dentin in GII, compared with GI. Our results suggest that structural and ultra-structural features of the dentin-pulp complex and periodontal components of rat molars are affected by protein deficiency.

Key Words: Protein malnutrition, rat, molar tooth, collagen fibers, electron microscopy.