Effect of experimental diabetes on craniofacial growth in rats

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on the craniofacial growth and skeletal maturation using the STZ-DM rat model. DESIGN: Experimental T1DM was induced in 3-week-old male Wistar rats by a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ). Lateral and dorsoventral X-rays of the head were taken at the age of 7 weeks. The X-rays were scanned, digitised and selected linear distances were measured and analysed statistically. RESULTS: In STZ-DM statistical analysis of results revealed a reduction in growth of most of the linear measurements in the neurocranium and mandible by X-ray analysis, and all measurements were significantly lower in viscerocranium. CONCLUSIONS: Uncontrolled T1DM reduces craniofacial growth, resulting in retardation of skeletal development.