Effect of experimental diabetes on mandible growth in rats

The aim or the present work was to assess the effects of experimental diabe tes on mandible growth in rats. Experimental diabetes was induced in rats, aged 26 d, by a single dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. of Streptozotocin (STZ). Thir ty-one d post STZ or vehicle injection, the animals were killed. Mandibles were resected to determine Mandibular Skeletal Units dimensions (MSU) and o verall mandible growth. Statistical analysis of results revealed, for STZ t reated animals as compared to the control group: I)a decrease in b.w.; 2) a n increase in food intake; 3) an increase in glucemia (200%); 4) normal hem oglobin, creatinine and plasma urea values, 5) a reduction in growth of sym physeal (9%), coronoid (16%), and alveolar (13%) heights, condyloid (11%), angular (8%), and base (3%) lengths, and condyloid width (8%). Mandibular l ength (4%), height (8%) and length of base (6%) were significantly lower in diabetic animals as compared to the control group. No significant differen ces in length of symphyseal process, alveolar length and height of base wer e found between groups. Rats on a restricted diet, resulting in a decreased b.w., and the control group exhibited similar mandibular dimensions. These data show that STZ-induced diabetes reduces mandibular growth, resulting i n some deformity of the structure.