Aging changes in the periodontal bone of F344/N rat

The aim of this research was to determine whether a rat was an adequate laboratory animal model for periodontal research on elderly humans. Thirty-two F344/NSIc female rats ranged between 30 and 1000 days of age were used. The alveolar bone loss around the molars was assessed by a morphometric method. A significant correlation was found between age and the amount of alveolar bone loss. For further analysis, the rats were grouped into four by age; 30-60 days, 220-430 days, 640-850 days. and more than 850 days. The means of alveolar bone loss were compared between age groups. It was found that the resorption of the alveolar bone around the molars of the rats continued until they were 1000-days-old, and this trend was stronger in the mandible than the maxilla. It was suggested that rats could be used as adequate laboratory animals for periodontal research. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.