Exercise attenuates alveolar bone loss and anxiety-like behaviour in rats with periodontitis

AimTo evaluate the effects of physical training on inflammatory and behavioural parameters of Wistar rats with periodontal disease (PD). Materials and MethodsTwenty four animals were distributed in a 2x2 factorial design (with and without exercise, with and without PD). Trained animals swimmed one hour daily during 8weeks. PD was induced by ligature 14days before the end of experiment, and in the last week, all animals were submitted to the Marble Burying Test. Histomorphometric analyses of the mandibles and expression of cytokines were conducted by Western blotting. We also evaluated the morphometry of hippocampal astrocytes using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody. ResultsPhysical training attenuated bone loss and epithelial attachment loss levels of rats with PD. Trained animals with PD presented lower TNF- expression in periodontal tissues while IL-10 was increased. TNF-/IL-10 ratio was lower in trained animals with PD compared to those with induced periodontitis. PD increased anxiety-like behaviour, and physical training attenuated this parameter. Exercise increased the ramifications of hippocampal astrocytes in rats without PD. ConclusionsExercise decreased anxiety behaviour, inflammatory proteins expression and bone loss in rats with PD.