Imaging Microstructural Damage and Alveolar Bone Loss in Rats Systemically Exposed to Methylmercury: First Experimental Evidence

The alveolar bone is an important mineralized structure of the periodontal support apparatus, and information about methylmercury (MeHg) effects on structural integrity scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether systemic, chronic, low-dose exposure MeHg can change microstructure rats. Adult Wistar rats (n = 30) were exposed 0.04 mg/kg/day or vehicle through intragastric gavage. animals euthanized after 60 days, blood samples collected for trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), comet assays. mandible each animal was separated into hemimandibles that used determine total Hg level in analyze microstructural damage loss terms trabecular number (Tb.N), thickness (Tb.Th), volume fraction (BV/TV), root area second molars. triggered oxidative stress represented by lower levels GSH TEAC increase LPO DNA cells. High found bone, analyses showed a reduction Tb.N, Tb.Th, BV/TV, which resulted decrease height. Long-term promotes systemic redox imbalance associated with changes may indicate potential risk indicator diseases.