ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN ELASTASE ACTIVITY AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN THE BONE TISSUE OF RATS INDUCED BY MODELLING CHRONIC STRESS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A THERAPEUTICPREVENTIVE COMPLEX FOR THE PURPOSE OF ITS APPLICATION IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Abstract

Chronic psycho-emotional stress is a significant risk factor for impaired bone remodelling and the development of periodontal pathology in children. Pharmacological correction of oxidative-inflammatory alterations with multicomponent preparations may prevent demineralisation and maintain bone homeostasis. Aim of the study. To evaluate the efficacy of a therapeuticprophylactic complex (TPC) on elastase activity and calcium concentration in rat bone tissue under an experimental model of chronic acoustic stress, with a view to justifying its use in paediatric dentistry. Materials and methods. The study included 34 male Wistar rats (2 months old, body weight 140±8 g), which were divided into three groups: an intact group (n=10), a group with induced chronic sound stress (n=12), and a group with induced stress followed by administration of a therapeuticprophylactic complex (TPC) (n=12). Over 50 days, the rats in the second and third groups were exposed to chronic sound stress using an ultrasonic pest repellent. In the “stress + TPC” group, the rats additionally received the therapeutic-prophylactic complex. Elastase activity and calcium content were analysed in jaw homogenates. Statistical processing was performed using STATISTICA 6.1 with Student’s t-test (p<0.01 was considered significant). Results. In the stress-control group, elastase activity increased to 14.48 ± 0.92 μkat kg⁻¹ and calcium decreased to 4.92 ± 0.19 mmol g⁻¹ (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02, respectively). Administration of the TPC reduced elastase to 9.72 ± 0.75 μkat kg⁻¹ and raised calcium to 5.76 ± 0.22 mmol g⁻¹ (p₁ < 0.02). Conclusions. The TPC effectively attenuates bone resorption and promotes re-mineralisation under chronic stress, supporting its prospective incorporation into preventive programmes in paediatric dentistry.