Title (English)
Topical nano-chitosan mitigates alendronate-induced lingual mucosal injury in rats: histological, immunohistochemical, molecular, and ultrastructural study
Thong tin bai bao / Article info
- Tac gia / Authors: Abeer Ezat Wahba, Fatema F. Elturki, Ghada A. Gehani, Hamza Alasbily, Muna S. Elburki, Adel M. Alqarni, Fahad A. Alshahrani, Mubarak Alaklobie, Mohammed M. Alruwaili, Saleh A. Alghamdi, Helal G. Alanazi
- Tap chi / Journal: BMC Oral Health
- Ngay xuat ban / Published: 2026-07-22
- DOI: 10.1186/s12903-026-09249-8
- Nguon / Source: OpenAlex
Abstract (English)
Abstract Background Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used antiresorptive agents for skeletal disorders; however, their adverse effects on oral soft tissues, particularly the lingual mucosa and gustatory apparatus, remain incompletely understood. Nano-chitosan has emerged as a promising biomaterial with cytoprotective and regenerative properties in orofacial tissues, indicating potential utility in mitigating BP-associated mucosal injury. Objectives To evaluate the protective effects of topical nano-chitosan on alendronate-induced lingual injury in a rat model. Methods Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups ( n = 10 each): control (Group I), alendronate-treated (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously, three times weekly for 4 weeks), and alendronate plus daily topical nano-chitosan (0.5 mL/day). Lingual tissues were examined using histology (H&E and Masson’s trichrome), immunohistochemistry (PCNA), histomorphometry, scanning electron microscopy, and RT-qPCR for α-gustducin (GNAT3). Results Alendronate induced significant lingual alterations, including reduced papillary height (48%), decreased epithelial proliferation (80% PCNA expression), increased disorganized collagen deposition (approximately 2.5-fold), ultrastructural disruption, and downregulation of GNAT3 (all p < 0.001 vs. control). Nano-chitosan treatment attenuated these changes, restoring papillary morphometry, PCNA expression (27.66% vs. 29.60%, p = 0.127), and collagen content (9.45% vs. 8.49%, p = 0.538) to levels comparable with controls. GNAT3 expression was partially restored but remained significantly reduced compared with controls. Conclusion Topical nano-chitosan mitigates alendronate-induced lingual injury in rats by improving epithelial architecture and proliferation and partially restoring GNAT3 transcript levels. No functional gustatory assessment was performed; therefore, conclusions regarding taste function recovery are not drawn from the present data. These findings indicate a modulatory rather than fully restorative effect on BP-associated oral mucosal alterations and support further preclinical and translational investigation.
Doc bai day du / Read full article
Bai dang tu dong boi plugin Ortho OA Fetcher. Anh (neu co) tu PubMed Central. Noi dung lay tu nguon open access va dich tu dong – chi mang tinh tham khao.
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