Biochemical, histopathologic and radiographic examination of the effect of arginine slicate inositol complex on periodontal tissues in an rat model of experi̇mental periodontitis

Introduction and Purpose: Arginine and silicate that compromise arginine silicate inositol (ASI) is considered to be alternative to host modulation in periodontal diseases based on the results of studies pointing out that it could increase bone mineral density and the amount of collagen cartilage, connective and vessels tissue. The purpose of this study was to experimentally induce periodontitis in rats fed previously with diets of arginine silicate inositol (ASI) complex and examine the effect of this complex by biochemical, immunological, histopathological, and radiological evaluation. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two 8-week-old female Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing 138 g, were equally divided into 4 groups. Groups; 1) The control group included animals fed a standard rat diet with no operation performed during the experiment. 2) The periodontitis group, 3) ASI I, and 4) ASI II groups were subjected to experimental periodontitis induction for 11 days after being fed a standard rat diet alone and that containing 1.81 g/kg and 3.62 g/kg ASI complex, respectively, for 8 weeks. Throughout the 11-day duration of experimental periodontitis induction, all rats were fed standard feed. At the end of the 11th day, all rats were killed and their tissue and blood samples were collected. Interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa -β (RANK), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were evaluated using western blot analysis using the gum tissue obtained from the right mandible, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca), phosphor (P), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated using blood samples. Bone resorption and bone mineral density were evaluated using microcomputed tomography of the right mandible. Tissues collected from the left mandible were subjected to histopathological evaluation. Results: C- reactive protein levels have been found to be statistically significantly lower in the two ASI groups than in the periodontitis group (p<0.01). Interleukin -1β and MPO levels were higher in the periodontitis group than in the ASI groups, with the ASI II group showing lower levels than the ASI group (p<0.05). Matrix metalloproteinase -8, RANK, and RANKL levels were higher in periodontitis groups than in the ASI groups (p<0.05). Osteoprotegerin level was lower in periodontitis groups than in the ASI groups, with the ASI II group showing higher level than the ASI I group (p<0,05). Inflammatory cell infiltration and bone resorption rates in the mesial and furcation regions were lower in the ASI groups than in the periodontitis group (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study shows that enzyme / cytokines and mediators associated with periodontal tissue destruction is less in animals fed a diet containing ASI complex after experimental periodontitis. Results make experts think that this complex would be an alternative in host modulation.