The putative role of maternal grape seed extract in alleviating caffeine-induced enamel hypomineralization in rat offspring

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the alleviating role of maternal grape seed extract (GSE) in enhancement of caffeine-induced enamel hypomineralization in mandibular incisors of rat offspring. Materials and methods Sixteen virgin female rats were used. After pregnancy, they were divided into four equal groups. There was control, caffeine, GSE and combined groups that received daily doses of physiological saline, caffeine, GSE and both caffeine/GSE, respectively during pregnancy and lactation. In each group, four weaning pups from each rat dam were chosen ( n = 16). Their mandibles were cut into halves and their incisors were sectioned mesial to the first molars. The right halves were processed for light microscope and transmission electron microscope whereas the left ones for energy dispersive radiograph elemental analysis for calcium ions. Results Quantitatively, statistical analysis for energy dispersive radiograph elemental analysis results revealed a significant increase in the mean Ca levels for GSE group compared to other groups. Histologically, control group revealed normal features of ruffled ended-maturative ameloblasts and nearly mature enamel layer whereas caffeine group disclosed vacuolated, widely spaced ameloblasts with heterogeneous patched immature enamel layer. Interestingly, GSE group revealed features of highly organized active ameloblasts with superior complex organization of nearly mature enamel whereas combined group depicted features of reestablishment of adverse effects of caffeine on both ameloblasts and nearly mature enamel. Conclusion Maternal GSE intake has a potential role in enhancing enamel mineralization and its concurrent intake with caffeine seemed to lighten the caffeine-induced enamel hypomineralization in rat offspring.