Effect of irradiation on the dental pulp tissues in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Kang, Ho Duk; Hwang, Eui Hwan; Lee, Sang Rae

Abstract

PURPOSE
To observe the histopathological changes in the pulp tissues of mandibular molars in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats after irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 gm were divided into four groups: control, diabetes, irradiation, and diabetes-irradiation groups. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the rats by injecting streptozotocin. Rats in control and irradiation groups were injected with citrate buffer only. After 5 days, the head and neck region of the rats in irradiation and diabetes-irradiation groups were irradiated with a single absorbed dose of 10 Gy. All the rats were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after irradiation. The specimen including the mandibular molars were sectioned and observed using a histopathological method. RESULTS: In the diabetes group, capillary dilatation was observed. However, there was no obvious morphologic alteration of the odontoblasts. In the irradiation group, generalized necrosis of the dental pulp tissues was observed. Vacuolation of the odontoblasts and dilatation of the capillaries were noted in the early experimental phases. In the diabetes-irradiation group, generalized degeneration of the dental pulp tissues was observed. Vacuolation of the dental pulp cells and the odontoblasts was noted in the late experimental phases. CONCLUSION: This experiment suggests that dilatation of the capillaries in the dental pulp tissues is induced by diabetic state, and generalized degeneration of the dental pulp tissues is induced by irradiation of the diabetic group.