The influence of thyroid hormones on mitochondrial mechanisms of blood neutrophils’ apoptosis in case of experimental periodontitis

Abstract

The objective of the study. This study aims to investigate the role of mitochondria in blood neutrophils’ apoptosis in case of periodontitis combined with hyper- and hypothyroidism in rats. Material and methods. Experimental studies were conducted on male, nonlinear, white rats of around 4 months of age. Analysis of cell samples to determine reactive oxygen species was evaluated by the flow laser cytometry method, using 2.7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The percentage of neutrophils with low transmembrane mitochondrial potential and percentage of apoptotic neutrophils were evaluated by the flow laser cytometry method, using specific kits. Results. We have found a statistically significant higher percentage of blood neutrophils with increased reactive oxygen species generation, low transmembrane mitochondrial potential and the percentage of FITC Annexin V- positive cells in rats with periodontitis and in rats with periodontitis combined with thyroid dysfunction. At the same time, the changes were more pronounced in animals with hyperthyroidism. Conclusion. One of the important signaling pathways of apoptosis triggering, in case of experimental periodontitis combined with thyroid dysfunction, is reactive oxygen species overproduction and disruption of the mitochondrial inner membrane, due to the decreased transmembrane potential, which is more pronounced in case of hyperthyroidism.

Keywords

• periodontitis
• thyroid hormones
• mitochondria
• cell death