The results of the pilot studies are given in percentages compared to the control groups in Table 4. Two experimental groups, which had the same treatments (group 1 and group 3) are included. All the pilot groups were fed on the high-sucrose diet. One control group with normalosis and high-sucrose diet was run for each of the pilot groups (data not shown). Caries was scored with Schiff reagent and T, B and C lesions were regarded as dentinal lesions.
The numbers of the rats in pilot groups with respiratory alkalosis and respiratory acidosis were small and standard deviations were high. The results were not as reliable as those presented in Table 4 and therefore they are not presented in it. In respiratory alkalosis the weight gain was higher in the males, dentine formation was decreased and also dentinal caries was slightly decreased (the control group had plenty of caries). In respiratory acidosis, weight gain was slightly and dentine formation apparently increased. Dentinal caries were increased in the first and decreased in the third molars.
Table 4. Results of the pilot studies on the effects of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. Increase (+) or decrease (-) of the weight gain of the rats, and dentine formation and dentinal caries in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars given in percentages compared to the controls. All the groups were fed the high-sucrose diet (see Table 1).
| Group | n | Weight | Dentine formation | Dentinal caries | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | 1st | 2nd | 3 rd | 1st | 2nd | 3 rd | ||||
m-acid-suc | |||||||||||
pilot 3 wk | 10 | -27 | -24 | -25 | -35 | -4 | +18 | +29 | +6 | ||
pilot 5wk | 6 | -23 | -28 | -15 | -29 | -9 | +32 | +50 | +39 | ||
exp. 6 wk | 6 | -11 | -9 | -9 | -13 | -3 | +47 | +33 | +56 | ||
| m-alk-suc | |||||||||||
| exp. 6 wk | 9 | +4 | -5 | +4 | -1 | +4 | -11 | -42 | -6 | ||
| pilot 7 wk | 8 | +28 | +32 | +20 | +8 | +8 | -13 | -10 | +1 | ||
| pilot 9 wk | 8 | +16 | +23 | -3 | -8 | -23 | -48 | ||||
| Abbreviations: exp. = experimental group, n = number of the rats. | |||||||||||