Abstract
Objectives
Diabetes has been strongly associated with periodontal diseases. The periodontal ligament (PDL) has an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM). Lysyl oxidases (LOXs) are closely associated with various diseases caused by abnormal ECM functions, however, the role of LOXs in periodontal diseases induced by diabetes remains unclear.
Methodology
In this study, 8-week-old Zucker diabetic fatty rats were used to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model. After 9 and 16 weeks, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining were performed.
Results
After 9 weeks, loose collagen fibers were found in the interradicular area of the diabetic group, in opposition to the control group. There were no significant differences in LOX expression between the diabetic and control groups (p>0.05). However, after 16 weeks, the diabetic group presented a disordered arrangement of the PDL, showing decreased collagen content and significantly increased lysyl oxidase-like protein 3 (LOXL3) expression when compared with the control group (p<0.05). This suggests that LOXL3 plays a significant role in periodontal histopathological changes in diabetic rats.
Conclusion
Our study showed elevated LOXL3 expression in the PDL of diabetic rats after 16 weeks, suggesting that LOXL3 may be involved in the occurrence and development of periodontal histopathological changes in diabetic rats. LOXL3 could be further used as an indicator for the early diagnosis of diabetic periodontitis in T2DM patients in clinical settings.
Lysyl oxidases; Periodontal ligament; Diabetes; Periodontal diseases; LOXL3
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After 9 and 16 weeks, LOX expression in the diabetic and control groups was evaluated respectively (Figure S1A–D; Figure S1F–I). LOX expression at 9 weeks (control group: MD=0.0449±0.0080; diabetic group: MD=0.0469±0.0039) and 16 weeks (control group: MD=0.0456±0.0047; diabetic group: MD=0.0449±0.0041) was observed and the differences of LOX positive expression were insignificant (Figures S1E and S1J; p>0.05). n=5, repeated three times
After 9 and 16 weeks, LOXL1 expression in the diabetic and control groups was evaluated respectively (Figure S2A–D; Figure S2F–I). LOXL1 expression at 9 weeks (control group: MD=0.0483±0.0026; diabetes group: MD=0.0456±0.0019) and 16 weeks (control group: MD=0.0567±0.0092; diabetes group: MD=0.0532±0.0044) was observed and the differences of LOXL1 positive expression were insignificant (Figures S2E and S2J; p>0.05). n=5, repeated three times
After 9 and 16 weeks, LOXL2 expression in the diabetic and control groups was evaluated respectively (Figure S3A–D; Figure S3F–I). LOXL2 expression at 9 weeks (control group: MD=0.0461±0.0056; diabetes group: MD=0.0448±0.0078) and 16 weeks (control group: MD=0.0487±0.0049; diabetes group: MD=0.0451±0.0078) was observed and the differences of LOXL2 positive expression were insignificant (Figures S3E and S3J; p>0.05). n=5, repeated three times