1-Tetradecanol complex: therapeutic actions in experimental periodontitis.

BACKGROUND The present study was planned to investigate the therapeutic actions of 1-tetradecanol complex (1-TDC), a novel monounsaturated fatty acid mixture, in established periodontitis in rabbits. METHODS Periodontitis was initiated in 18 New Zealand White rabbits using ligatures around mandibular second premolars, followed by topical Porphyromonas gingivalis application (10(9) colony forming units). After 6 weeks of disease induction (phase 1), three animals were sacrificed to assess the established periodontitis level. P. gingivalis application was discontinued, and the remaining 15 animals continued with topical treatment of 1-TDC (100 mg/ml; n = 5) or placebo (n = 5) or no treatment (n = 5) for an additional 6 weeks (phase 2). Mandibular block sections obtained after euthanasia were decalcified and embedded in paraffin. In addition to the macroscopic analyses, hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were used to study cellular inflammatory infiltrate and quantitative histomorphometry. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and osteocalcin were used to identify osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, respectively. RESULTS P. gingivalis application resulted in periodontal disease with gingival inflammation and bone loss (30% compared to baseline) at 6 weeks. Treatment with 1-TDC stopped the progression of the disease and resulted in a significant reduction in the macroscopic periodontal inflammation, attachment, and bone loss (10.1% +/- 1.8%), whereas periodontal disease progressed in the untreated and placebo groups (P <0.05). Histologic assessment and histomorphometric measurements demonstrated that 1-TDC inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and osteoclastic activity (P <0.05). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that topical application of cetylated monounsaturated fatty acid complex (1-TDC) is a potential therapeutic approach in controlling the progression of chronic periodontal disease.