Effects of aging, gender, and hypogonadism on mandibular bone density.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate how aging, sex, and hypogonadism influence mandibular bone density with and without the benefits of hormone treatment.

Methods: Three-month old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, with eights animals per group: controls, castrated (orchiectomized [ORX], ovariectomized [OVX]) and castrated with hormonal treatment (ORX + testosterone, OVX + estradiol benzoate). Females were previously evaluated by vaginal cytology.

Aging effects in the expression of macrophages in post-treatment apical periodontitis lesions.

Objectives: To evaluate the CD68 immunoexpression in post-treatment apical periodontitis lesions of older patients and compare them with lesions of younger/middle age adults.

Methods: Biopsy specimens from 21 apical periodontitis lesions (12 granulomas and 9 cysts) were selected from older patients and 25 apical periodontitis lesions from younger/middle age adults (12 cysts and 13 granulomas) were selected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry using silanized slides with anti-CD68 antibody. The slides were subdivided in five high-power fields and the images were observed under an optical microscope to evaluate the epithelial and connective tissues.