N-Acetylcysteine Reduces Alveolar Bone Loss and Mitigates Systemic Oxidative Damage in Rats With Apical Periodontitis

Area of Science:

• Oral Biology
• Periodontology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition affecting the periapical region of teeth.
• Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of AP.
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant with potential therapeutic benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplementation in an experimental model of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats.
• To evaluate the impact of NAC on bone quality, periapical lesion volume, and systemic oxidative stress markers.

Main Methods:

• Apical periodontitis was induced in the first molars of Wistar rats.
• Rats were divided into control, AP, and AP + NAC groups.
• NAC was administered orally; bone quality, periapical volume, and systemic oxidative stress were assessed.

Main Results:

• NAC supplementation preserved bone quality and reduced periapical volume compared to the AP group.
• NAC-treated rats exhibited enhanced antioxidant levels and reduced oxidant levels systemically.
• Bone collagen content was better preserved in animals supplemented with NAC.

Conclusions:

• NAC supplementation demonstrated a protective effect against bone loss and lesion progression in AP.
• NAC modulated both local and systemic oxidative stress associated with AP.
• NAC shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for AP, particularly in managing oxidative stress and preserving biological structures.