[Histomorphometric study of the effect of sodium dilantin on the gingival tissues of rats]

The density and collagen content of fibroblasts were measured in the gingiva of rats injected intraperitoneally with sodium 5,5-diphenylhydantoinate (Dilantin). An analysis using a point-counting procedure on stained histologic sections, was performed. The effect of Dilantin was studied in normal gingiva and in gingivitis provoked by a silk-ligature placed around the first lower molars. The silk ligature alone did not modify the number of fibroblasts in the gingiva, but affected the collagen content. Dilantin associated with this irritant caused not only an alteration of the collagen content but also had a statistically significant effect (p less than 0.1) on the number of fibroblasts. The results indicate an interaction of the effects of Dilantin and a gingival irritant.