Physical training minimizes immunological dysfunction, oxidative stress and tissue destruction on experimental periodontitis in rats.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of a moderate intensity physical training protocol, on alveolar bone morphology of rats submitted to ligature-induced periodontitis. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, considering the presence/absence of periodontitis and presence/absence of training. The training protocol was performed on a treadmill, 30 min/day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. In the experimental periodontal breakdown, with/without training, ligatures were placed on the lower first molars on the 14th day of the experiment, and were followed until the end of the protocol. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and samples of plasma and mandibles were collected for immunoenzymatic evaluation of interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10, evaluation of serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, analysis of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione, histological and microtomographic analyses were performed. Physical training resulted in a reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α C-reactive protein and LPO and an increase in the levels of IL-10 in rats with periodontitis (p<0.05); a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate and decreased fiber degradation was identified in histological analysis. Additionally, it was shown a decrease in vertical bone loss and an increase in the bone volume/trabecular volume ratio was identified in periodontitis+physical training group (p<0.05). Based on the results, the practice of frequent physical exercise, at moderate intensity, can contribute to the reduction of damage related to the disproportionate inflammatory response in periodontitis.