AUTHOR=Estarreja João , Pimenta Ana Clara , Botelho João , Vilares Arminda Maria , Mendes José João , Rocha João , Pinto Rui , Mateus Vanessa , Machado Vanessa TITLE=Blood count, endocrine, immunologic, renal, and hepatic markers in a case-control animal study of induced periodontitis in female rodents JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1327399 DOI=10.3389/fphys.2024.1327399 ISSN=1664-042X ABSTRACT=Periodontitis is a non-communicable chronic inflammatory disease with a systemic burden. Animal models of induced periodontitis help elucidate the mechanisms by which periodontal inflammation drives systemic effects. Studying this systemic involvement over longer follow-up periods may provide a strong foundation for future research on the association between diseases and periodontitis, particularly in female rats. Therefore, we aimed to compare blood, endocrine, immunologic, renal, and hepatic markers in a rat model of induced periodontitis in females with their control counterparts. Experimental periodontitis was induced in 20 female Wistar rats by application and maintenance of silk ligatures on the upper molars. The rats were then assessed for macroscopic analysis, complete blood count, biochemical, endocrine, and immunologic markers, at 21, 28, 42, and 56 days. Chronic periodontal inflammation was observed after 42 days of exposure Formatou: Português (Portugal)to the ligatures. Additionally, systemic manifestations have been associated with pronounced reduction of triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels, along with an increase in levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and lactate dehydrogenase. The findings of this study may pave the way for future preclinical studies focusing on female-related conditions linked to periodontitis.