Morphological reorganization of periodontic tissues under experimental opioid influence for twelve weeks

Peculiarities of pathomorphological changes of periodontal components of rats under the long-term opioid influence during twelve weeks in the experiment have been studied.Objective – to determine the features of structural changes in the tissues of the periodontal complex of rats under conditions of long-term experimental action of opioids for twelve weeks.Methods. Adult male rats were administered the opioid analgesic nalbuphine for 12 weeks, in gradually increasing doses every 2 weeks. The initial dose was 0.212 mg / kg, 11-12 weeks - 0.3 mg / kg. Components of the dental organ of the upper and lower jaws of rats were used as material for histological examination. Sampling was performed at the end of week 12 of the experiment.Results. On histological preparations in the epithelium of the gums thinning, ulcers, desquamation, as well as the presence of areas of necrosis and inflammatory infiltrates were determined. Microscopic examinations of the epithelium of the free part of the gums in the gingival sulcus revealed foci of necrosis, accumulation of purulent bodies, damage to the epithelium of attachment and defragmentation of circular periodontal fibers, which led to the formation of periodontal pockets. Destruction of collagen fibers, purulent bodies, fibrinoid edema and fibrinoid necrosis were noted in the own plate. In the constituent components of the periodontium, the destruction of fibers with detachment from the connective tissue membrane of the dental cell, as well as signs of mucoid edema were determined. In the connective tissue of the periodontium observed thrombosis and stasis due to the coordination of blood cells, excessive proliferation of microvessels, diapedetic hemorrhage, which led to the progression of hypoxia.Conclusions. The experimental action of the opioid for 12 weeks revealed alternative changes, which were due to the deepening of dystrophy, necrosis of the soft tissues of the periodontium and severe hemomicrocirculation. Diffuse progression of the inflammatory-dystrophic process was due to insufficient activity of reparative processes, which indicated the irreversible nature of changes in the periodontium, which developed against the background of chronic opioid exposure.