The aim of the study was to evaluate the action of dental gel with IL-1β receptor antagonist on the indicators of nitrosative stress and antioxidant system in rats with experimental chronic generalized periodontitis.

Materials and methods. Experimental chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) was modeled using a calcium-deficient peroxide diet with reduced masticatory function in Wistar rats weighing 190–220 g for 8 weeks. The studied pharmacological agents were administered within 30 days after the development of CGP: 1 % dental gel with IL-1β receptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, locally using a dispenser); and antioxidant Mexidol (250 mg/kg, intragastrically). To assess the condition of periodontal tissues, the levels of nitrotyrosine, iNOS, Cu/ZnSOD, and glutathione peroxidase-4 were determined by immunoenzymatic quantitative analysis; levels of stable metabolites of NO, reduced and oxidized glutathione were determined using biochemical methods.

Results. Course administration of dental gel with IL-1β antagonist in a therapeutic regimen to rats with CGP resulted in a decrease in the depth of periodontal pockets, almost complete elimination of bleeding and swelling of the gums, as well as to a decrease in iNOS expression by 37.8 % (p < 0.05), nitrotyrosine concentration – by 55.2 %, and NO metabolites – by 30 % (p < 0.05) in the blood of animals. Dental gel with IL-1β antagonist application resulted in an increase in concentration of reduced glutathione by 63 % (p < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase-4 expression – by 60.4 % (p < 0.05), and Cu/ZnSOD – by 31.2 % (p < 0.05) in the blood of animals with CGP. Mexidol, when administered to rats with CGP, affected only two studied indices – the level of nitrotyrosine and reduced glutathione (p < 0.05). However, it was inferior to the gel with the IL-1β receptor antagonist in terms of the degree of influence on these parameters (р < 0.05).

Conclusions. The obtained results provide experimental justification for further study of IL-1β antagonist as a promising agent for the treatment of CGP.