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Occlusal disharmony increases stress response in rats
Toshihiro Yoshihara1, Risa Taneichi, Yasutaka Yawaka
1Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Oral Functional Science, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Dental Medicine, North 13, West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8586, Japan. tyoshi03@den.hokudai.ac.jp
Neuroscience Letters
|April 23, 2009
Summary
Occlusal disharmony in rats alters the stress response. Chronic stress from dental issues changed how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responded to new stressors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Dental Science
Background:
- Chronic stress induces brain changes and alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response.
- Occlusal disharmony, induced by dental issues, serves as a model for chronic stress in rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the HPA axis response to acute stress in rats with induced occlusal disharmony.
- To determine if chronic occlusal disharmony modifies the HPA axis's reaction to novel stressors.
Main Methods:
- Rats were subjected to occlusal disharmony using acrylic caps on lower incisors.
- Plasma corticosterone levels were measured after exposing rats to a new stressor.
- HPA axis response was assessed by comparing corticosterone levels between groups.
Main Results:
- Plasma corticosterone levels peaked 30 minutes after new stress exposure in both control and occlusal disharmony groups.
- Rats with occlusal disharmony exhibited a delayed decrease in plasma corticosterone levels compared to controls.
- This suggests a blunted or altered HPA axis recovery following stress.
Conclusions:
- Occlusal disharmony significantly alters the HPA axis response to subsequent stress.
- The findings indicate that chronic dental stress impacts the neuroendocrine stress response system.
- This research highlights a potential link between oral health and systemic stress regulation.
