Abstract
Aluminum (Al) is one of the most found elements in nature in many forms, and human exposure can be quite common. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effects of exposure to Al mainly at low doses and for a prolonged period, in order to simulate human exposure in the periodontium, an important structure for support and protection of the teeth. This investigation aimed to study the aluminum chloride (AlCl3) toxicological effects in the mineral composition and micromorphology of the alveolar bone of rats. Two groups of eight male Wistar rats were used for the experiment. AlCl3 group was exposed to AlCl3 orally at a dose of 8.3 mg/kg/day for 60 days, while the control group received only distilled water. After that, the mandibles were collected and submitted to the following analyses: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray microtomography analysis; blood was also collected for determination of Al circulating levels. Our data showed that AlCl3 was capable of increasing Al circulating levels in blood. It was able to promote changes in the mineral content and triggers significant changes in the mineralized bone microstructure, such as number and thickness of trabeculae, being associated with alveolar bone-loss.
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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files). More specific data and information are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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We thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
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This study was carried out with support from the Programa Nacional de Cooperação Acadêmica na Amazônia – PROCAD/Amazônia da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES/Brazil. This research was also supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
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DS-M participated since the beginning of this article idealization, execution of all experiments, and discussion of the data, being guided by RRL during the elaboration of the paper. ROF, LAOL, and LGE contributed in the writing process discussing the mechanisms and environmental importance of aluminum. GSB and FMC contributed to this work executing the X-ray microtomography analysis and contributed for the discussion. RSA was responsible for the technology used in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy together with SPAP and ARLA, who also contributed on the writing process. SP was a major contributor for the execution and finalization of this article, contributing with the Raman spectroscopy analysis and the parameters of bone evaluation. CSFM participated on the final writing process, trying to connect the points raised here, suggesting and connecting all the information.
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Souza-Monteiro, D., Ferreira, R.O., Eiró, L.G. et al. Long-term exposure to low doses of aluminum affects mineral content and microarchitecture of rats alveolar bone. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 45879–45890 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13937-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13937-z