The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the alveolar bone with histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Wistar rats were divided into two groups, control and diabetes group. Control group was fed standard rat chow and drinking water for 8 weeks. Single dose (Streptozotocin) STZ (55 mg/kg), was dissolved in sodium citrate buffer and introduced intraperitoneal injection. Diabetes group and control group were compared in terms of glucose values. The blood glucose concentration in diabetic rats was significantly high (p <0.05). In diabetes group; periodontal membrane and the dilation of blood vessels, hemorrhage has also been a significant increase in inflammatory cells. In the diabetes group, osteonectin showed positive expression in periodontal membrane and showed negative expression in osteocytes of alveolar bone. Osteopontin expression in fibroblast cells and periodontal membrane collagen fibrils was positive, alveolar cells, osteocytes and bone matrix bone was found positive. Diabetes results showed that there formed periodontitis; due to the increase in inflammation inhibiting bone formation delaying the development of early bone cells.

KEY WORDS: Alveolar bone; Diabetes mellitus; Rat; Osteonectin; Osteopontin.