Author/Authors :
Seyedmajidi، Seyed Ali Seyed Ali نويسنده Dental Materials Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Seyedmajidi, Seyed Ali Seyed Ali , Seyedmajidi، Maryam نويسنده , , Moghadamnia ، Aliakbar نويسنده , , Khani، Zohreh Zohreh نويسنده Students Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Khani, Zohreh Zohreh , Zahedpasha، Samir Samir نويسنده Dental Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Zahedpasha, Samir Samir , Jenabian ، Niloofar نويسنده Department of Periodontics, Dental School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran , , Jorsaraei، Gholamali Gholamali نويسنده Fatemeh-Zahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Jorsaraei, Gholamali Gholamali , Halalkhor ، Sohrab نويسنده Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran , , Motallebnejad ، Mina نويسنده Cellular & Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. ,
Abstract :
Zinc (Zn) as a nutritional factor affects the health of the oral tissues. This study was done for the evaluation of the effects of zinc deficiency on the oral tissues of rats. The study was carried out on 14 male Wistar rats, cessation of lactation on the 24th day after birth. The rats were randomly divided into two groups. Zinc deficient (ZD) diet was used for one group and another group was fed with a zinc-containing (ZC) diet. The alterations of the oral tissues in both groups were evaluated clinically after four weeks. Also the gingival index and periodontal pocket depth were recorded. The measurement of serum zinc level was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The microscopic slides of oral tissue specimen were evaluated quantitatively. The serum zinc level of the ZD rats was lower than the ZC group (p < 0.001). According clinical findings, the gingival index was lower in ZC rat (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference regarding the periodontal pocket depth between two groups (p=0.07). Aphthous ulcer was observed in ZD rats on the floor of the mouth. There was no significant difference regarding the epithelial and keratin thickening between two groups. This study indicated that oral and periodontal health was better in ZC rats than in ZD rats. Aphthous lesions were more prominent in ZD rats. This study confirmed that zinc deficiency may endanger oral and periodo ntal structures.
