Systemic and local immunological effects of plasmolifting in a rat model of periodontitis

Abstract

Introduction. Elucidation of the mechanisms that contribute to restoration of the immune response following plasmolifting in patients with chronic periodontitis will allow prevention of early atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other pathological processes that share the main pathogenetic component with periodontitis. Aim: evaluating systemic and local immune effects of plasmolifting in a rat model of periodontitis. Methods. Experimental periodontitis was induced in male Wistar rats aged 18-20 weeks and weighing 200.0±31.5 g at baseline. Periodontitis was modeled by detaching the gums with a spear-headed scalpel tip (sz. 11) in combination with injections of 10% ethanol with 0.25% Novocain for 7 days. Four groups (a control group and 3 experimental groups) of 10 rats each were used: group 1, rats with experimental periodontitis not receiving therapy; group 2, rats with experimental periodontitis injected with plasma (three 50-μl microinjections every third day, locally, into the alveolar bone area, 2 mm below the gingival margin between the right side of the maxillary first and second molars); group 3, rats with experimental periodontitis treated by application of Diplen films with metronidazole and chlorhexidine active ingredients for 10 days. Results. On day 10 of experimental periodontitis, the inflammatory process was clinically and histologically detected. The inflammation was associated with a sharp increase in cytokines that was more pronounced in tissue homogenates. The use of the plasmolifting procedure as well as a standard therapy was manifested by a decrease in fibrin deposits, sanitation of the periodontal pocket, and formation of a secondary periodontal attachment. A restriction of the infiltration zone, and a decrease in cytokines were noted. Also, the therapeutic effect of plasmolifting was more pronounced. Conclusions. Experimental periodontitis is accompanied by the clinical and morphological picture of inflammation and increases in concentrations of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, that are more pronounced in tissue homogenates. Plasmolifting not only reduces the local inflammatory response of tissues to experimental periodontitis, but also alleviates the intensity of the systemic inflammatory process. However, none of the therapies provided achievement of the intact animal status.