Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of alogliptin treatment on the healing process of traumatic oral ulcers. METHODS: Four experimental groups were used: control group (GC) and three test groups treated with oral Alogliptin at 1 (GTA1), 3 (GTA3), and 9 mg/kg/day (GTA9). Ulcer diameter, body weight, glycemic index, colony-forming unit (CFU), and discomfort were analyzed. Histological slides were prepared for healing scores, inflammatory cell counts, collagen deposition analysis, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Alogliptin treatment increased ulcer area (GTA3-7D: 5.2 ± 1.2; GTA9-3D: 11.8 ± 0.8; GTA9-7D: 5.8 ± 1.3; p < 0.001), CFU counts (p = 0.049), and Grimace/discomfort scores (p = 0.02), while reducing body weight gain (p = 0.007) in GTA3 and GTA9 groups. Microscopic analysis revealed higher histopathological scores (p = 0.039), increased mononuclear cells (p = 0.006), reduced polymorphonuclear cells (p < 0.05), and decreased collagen deposition (18.2 ± 2.6; p = 0.031) in GTA9. Lower TLR4 (p = 0.001) and TGF-β (p < 0.001) expression, alongside increased CD31 immunostaining (p < 0.001), were observed in GTA3 and GTA9, as well as reduced TLR2 expression (p = 0.001) in GTA9. CONCLUSION: Alogliptin delays oral ulcer healing by sustaining inflammation, reducing TGF-β expression, and impairing collagen deposition, and may contribute via reduced TLR2/TLR4 expression, increased microbial burden, and decreased TGF-β.