Histopathological consequences of hyperzincemia on rat teeth. Experimental study

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Dental Histopathology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Dental pulp health is crucial for tooth vitality.
• Understanding the effects of heavy metal intoxication on dental tissues is important for public health.
• Zinc is an essential trace element, but acute intoxication can have adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the histopathological changes in dental pulp following acute zinc intoxication.
• To identify potential physiopathological mechanisms underlying these changes.
• To determine if dental pulp is a target organ for zinc accumulation.

Main Methods:

• Acute zinc chloride intoxication induced in Wistar rats via intraperitoneal injection.
• Plasma zinc concentrations measured using spectrophotometry at 2, 4, and 6 hours post-injection.
• Histopathological analysis of dental pulp using Hematoxylin-Eosin and Szekely trichrome staining, and Schliff cutting-grinding technique.

Main Results:

• Elevated plasma zinc concentrations observed two hours after intoxication.
• No significant changes in dentin or enamel structures were detected.
• Decalcified teeth revealed red, acellular deposits within the dental pulp, potentially composed of zinc and plasma proteins.

Conclusions:

• The dental pulp may serve as a preferential site for zinc accumulation following acute intoxication.
• Zinc cation (Zn2+) may induce precipitation of unknown compounds within the dental pulp.
• The dental pulp should be considered a potential target organ in cases of acute zinc toxicity.