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Effects of Tacrolimus and Nifedipine, Alone or in Combination, on Gingival Tissues
Author(s) -
Pamuk Ferda,
Cetinkaya Burcu Ozkan,
Gulbahar Mustafa Yavuz,
Gacar Ayhan,
Cayır Keles Gonca,
Erisgin Zuleyha,
Arik Nurol
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2013.120545
Subject(s) - tacrolimus , nifedipine , pten , tensin , connective tissue , medicine , immunohistochemistry , endocrinology , urology , pathology , gastroenterology , transplantation , chemistry , calcium , apoptosis , biochemistry , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway
Background: The aim of this study is to compare gingival changes induced by short‐ and long‐term tacrolimus and nifedipine administration, alone or in combination, and evaluate the expression levels of tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in drug‐induced gingival overgrowth. Methods: Eighty rats were equally divided into eight groups: 1) tacrolimus for 8 weeks; 2) nifedipine for 8 weeks; 3) tacrolimus and nifedipine for 8 weeks; 4) 8‐week control; 5) tacrolimus for 24 weeks; 6) nifedipine for 24 weeks; 7) tacrolimus and nifedipine for 24 weeks; and 8) 24‐week control. Histomorphometric analyses included measurements of epithelial thickness, connective tissue thickness, and height. Stereologic analyses included measurements of volumetric densities of fibroblasts ( V f ), collagen fibers ( V cf ), and blood vessels ( V bv ). In addition, PTEN expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Results: Epithelial thickness and connective tissue thickness were significantly increased in groups 5, 6, and 7 compared to group 8 ( P <0.05), whereas connective tissue height was significantly increased in groups 5 and 7 ( P <0.001). V f and V cf were significantly increased in group 7 compared to group 8 ( P <0.001). PTEN immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in all experimental groups compared to the control groups ( P <0.05). Conclusions: Results suggest that duration of drug administration is a more important risk factor than drug combination. The results include a potentially new insight about PTEN's role in the etiology of drug‐induced gingival overgrowth.