The effect of cyclosporine A on periodontal tissue in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis

Cyclosporine A (CsA) inhibits T lymphocyte activation and may affect disease progression and recovery by altering the immune system. This study aimed to determine whether CsA administration during the induction and recovery phases of periodontitis aggravates periodontal damage or inflammation. Rats were divided into control (C), CsA-administered (CsA), periodontitis (P), and CsA-administered periodontitis (P + CsA) groups. Rats with tooth ligatures had the ligatures removed on day 14 and were sacrificed on day 30. CsA was given subcutaneously daily for 30 days. In the blood, the alkaline phosphatase levels were higher in the P group than in the C group, and in the P + CsA group than in the C and CsA groups. The CD3+ cells were lower in the CsA and P groups than in the C group and in the P + CsA group than in the C and P groups. In the periodontal tissue, the alveolar bone (AB) area was smaller in the CsA, P, and P + CsA groups than in the C group. More osteoclasts were detected in the CsA and P + CsA groups than in the C and P groups. Inflammatory cell infiltration was greater in the P and P + CsA groups than in the C and CsA groups, and Il17 and Il1b mRNA expression increased only in the P group. CsA alone induces AB loss and osteoclast formation but does not aggravate the severity of periodontitis or hinder its recovery. These results may provide preclinical evidence to consider during periodontitis treatment in patients taking CsA.