Histamine modulates salivary secretion and diminishes the progression of periodontal disease in rat experimental periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE

We have recently reported that experimental periodontitis (EP) reduced methacholine-induced submandibular gland (SMG) salivary secretion. The aim of the present study was to determine whether histamine could prevent SMG impairment produced by EP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bilateral EP was induced for 2 weeks and histamine treatment (0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously) was started 5 days before the end of the experimental period in male rats. The histamine effects on periodontitis-altered functional and histological parameters of SMG and on periodontal bone loss were evaluated.

RESULTS

Histamine treatment partially reversed the methacholine-induced salivation reduction produced by EP while preventing SMG histological damage. Histamine's effect on SMG was associated with an increased proliferation rate (2.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.2 ± 0.2 proliferative cells per field, P < 0.001). Furthermore, histamine completely prevented enhanced EP-induced apoptosis (1.0 ± 0.4 vs. 60.9 ± 4.6 apoptotic cells per field, P < 0.001). The protective effect exerted by histamine on SMG functionality is associated with attenuation of lingual and vestibular bone loss (0.66 ± 0.04 vs. 0.97 ± 0.06 mm; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Histamine is able to reduce periodontitis-induced damage to SMG and bone structure.