Study of epithelial rests of Malassez in an experimental periodontitis model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological alterations of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERMs) and their relationship with root resorption, in an experimental periodontitis (EP) model at 4 and 11 days. EP was induced in 14 male Wistar rats by placing a cotton thread ligature around the neck of the first lower right molar, for 4 (n=7) and 11 (n=7) days. The contralateral molar (left) was used as control. Following euthanasia, jaws were extracted and processed histologically to provide mesio-distal sections which were subject to H&E stain and histochemical detection technique with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The following histomorphometricparameters were evaluated on micrographs: bone area (BAr./TAr)(%), number of ERMs/mm2, number of cells/ERM, ERMs area (µm2), and percentage of root resorption surfaces (%RR). The results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Bonferronipost hoc (p≤ 0.05). Significant bone loss was observed in molars with EP compared to their controls. In the EP 4-Day group, no change was observed in the parameters with relation to the ERMs; however, in the EP 11-Day group, there was significant root resorption (%RR) (C: 3.21±3.07, EP-4D: 3.91±3.17, EP-11D: 23.67± 11.40; p≤ 0,05) and increase in ERMs area (µm2) (C: 455.87±145.42, EP-4D: 577.6±156.1, EP-11D: 1046.3± 582.9; p≤ 0,05). No TRAP+ ERM was found in either group. ERM hypertrophy may be related to ERMpartici-pation in mechanisms tending to establish periodontal homeostasis, inhibiting resorption and contributing toperiodon-tal regeneration.