Open AccessEffects of inorganic mercury exposure in the alveolar bone of rats: an approach of qualitative and morphological aspects
Author(s) -
Paula Beatriz de Oliveira Nunes,
Maria Karolina Martins Ferreira,
Déborah Ribeiro Frazão,
Leonardo Oliveira Bittencourt,
Victória dos Santos Chemelo,
Márcia Cristina Freitas Silva,
Armando Lopes Pereira-Neto,
Alan Rodrigo Leal Albuquerque,
Simone Patrícia Aranha da Paz,
Rômulo Simões Angélica,
Sofia Pessanha,
Rafael Rodrigues Lima
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
peerj
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.927
H-Index - 70
ISSN - 2167-8359
DOI - 10.7717/peerj.12573
Subject(s) - dental alveolus , mercury (programming language) , bone tissue , dentistry , chemistry , pathology , medicine , computer science , programming language
Background In comparison to organic mercury (MeHg), the environmental inorganic mercury (IHg) can be found in some skin-lightening cosmestics were considered “harmless” for a long time. However, recent studies have shown that long-term exposure to low doses of IHg may affect biological systems. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of IHg long-term exposure to the alveolar bone of adult rats. Methods Adult Wistar rats were distributed in control and HgCl 2 exposed (0.375 mg/kg/day). After 45 days, the rats were euthanized and both blood and hemimandibles were collected. Total blood Hg levels were measured and both inorganic and organic components of the alveolar bone were determined through XRD and ATR-FTIR. The microstructure of the alveolar bone was assessed by using micro-CT and the morphometric analysis was performed by using stereomicroscopy. Results Alterations in the physicochemical components of the alveolar bone of exposed animals were observed. The bone changes represented a tissue reaction at the microstructural level, such as bone volume increase. However, no significant dimensional changes (bone height) were observed. Conclusion Exposure to IHg at this dose can promote microstructural changes and alteration in the organic and inorganic components in the alveolar bone.