Interaction of phenytoin and inflammation induces gingival overgrowth in rats

Abstract

In adult male Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus albinus ) gingival irritation provided by means of wire silk ligatures around the cervix of first left lower molars, for a duration of 77 days, caused gingival inflammatory changes. In the rats receiving also daily one i.p. injection of sodium 5,5‐diphenythydantoinate (phenytoin), during 70 days, there was no macroscopical change of the gingiva of non‐ligated first right lower molars. However, in the first left lower molars, the association of silk ligature‐plus‐phenytoin administration elicited gingival overgrowth. The rat was seen as a satisfactory animal model for studies of phenytoin‐induced gingival changes.