The impact of moderate physical exercise, alone or combined with omega-3 supplementation, on apical periodontitis induced in rats.

Abstract

<p>Objective: To investigate the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise (PE), alone or in combination with omega-3 supplementation (O), on apical periodontitis (AP) in rats, by analyzing the inflammatory profile, and the presence and distribution of bacteria within the root canal and apical region. </p> <p>Methods: Thirty Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: C; PE and PE+O. The exercise protocol occurred in two stages, acclimatization and swimming training. Omega-3 was administered via gavage during 60 days. AP was induced on the 30^th day and the rats were euthanized on the 60th day. Maxillary molars were processed and stained with Hematoxylin-and-Eosin, immunohistochemistry for IL-17 and TNF-α and Brown-Brenn. The analyses were carried out by assigning scores submitted to Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis, and Tukey tests, with 5% significance. </p> <p>Results: The intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate was higher in C group (p&lt;0.05). PE alone reduced immunostaining for TNF-α and limited the spread of bacteria (p&lt;0.05). Combined with omega-3 PE reduced immunostaining for IL-17. </p> <p>Conclusion: PE sensitized the defense mechanisms, attenuating inflammation, through the modulation of TNF-α and contained bacterial contamination. PE+O significantly improved the modulating the inflammatory pathway by controlling IL-17.</p> <p>Clinical Relevance: Recommending physical activity and the use of omega-3 to patients can result in more successful endodontic treatment.</p>