Diabetes and its effects on dental pulp.

Uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor for the development of oral complications. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of diabetes mellitus progression on inflammatory and structural components of dental pulp. Male Wistar rats were given a single injection of Streptozotocin (STZ), and induction of diabetes was confirmed 24 h later. Dental pulp tissue samples were taken from central incisors and molars of diabetic rats 30 and 90 days after the STZ treatment. Plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats 30 and 90 days after STZ treatment were significantly increased when compared to control rats (P < 0.001). Nitrite and kallikrein levels in dental pulp tissue were higher in diabetic rats 30 days after STZ treatment than in controls, while only nitrite were decreased 90 after of STZ treatment. Myeloperoxidase activity showed changes 30 and 90 days after STZ injection when compared to controls. The activity of alkaline phosphatase showed significant changes 30 and 90 days after STZ treatment. On the other hand the concentration of collagen was decreased in diabetic rats 30 and 90 days after STZ injection. These results suggest that diabetes is a critical factor that has profound effects upon oral tissues, resulting in expression of inflammatory mediators and modifications of structural components of dental pulp.