Effect of Cimetidine on Nitro-Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation that involves nitro-oxidative stress with damaging periodontal structural effects. We aimed to evaluate the consequences of low-dose cimetidine on nitro-oxidative stress in periodontitis. METHODS A rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis was used. After two weeks, the periodontitis groups were treated with cimetidine, aminoguanidine, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and trolox for one week. On day 21, blood was drawn and the serum analyzed for measurement of total nitrites and nitrates, total oxidative status, total antioxidant response, and oxidative stress index. RESULTS Cimetidine had an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of nitric oxide (p=0.001), total oxidative status (p=0.01) and oxidative stress index (p=0.01). Total antioxidant reactivity was increased by cimetidine (p=0.01). The effects of cimetidine were almost like those of aminoguanidine, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and trolox. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose cimetidine can be used as adjunctive host modulatory therapy in chronic periodontitis because it reduces nitro-oxidative stress.