EFFECT OF RALOXIFENE IN THE PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS OF ALVEOLAR BONE INDUCED BY HIGH FAT DIET IN RATS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is positively associated with many chronic disorders such as osteoporosis, as it decreases the osteoblastic cell formation, increases the osteoclastic activity and decreases the vascularity of the bone marrow as well. Raloxifene belongs to a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). It reduces the expression of bone turnover markers and increases bone mineral density. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Raloxifene in the prevention of osteoporosis of alveolar bone induced by high fat diet in the rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty female albino rats were divided randomly into 3 equal groups, (10 rats each) as follows: Group I: control group, Group II: High fat diet group (59.28% of fats in their chow), Group III: High fat diet group (59.28%) with intake of Raloxifene 1mg/ kg once daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks all rats were sacrificed, molar segments of the mandibles were dissected and prepared for histological and histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: In high fat diet group, there was a significant deterioration in alveolar bone architecture and decrease in its surface area. Bone surface became irregular with multiple osteoclasts. It consisted of thin trabeculae enclosing wide fatty infiltrated bone marrow. In the high fat diet group treated with Raloxifene the alveolar bone surface and architecture relatively returned back to the normal. The histomorphometric results, revealed a significant decrease in the total bone surface area in high fat diet group and a significant restoration of the bone surface area in high fat diet group treated with Raloxifene in relation to control group. CONCLUSIONS: High fat diet can induce alveolar bone osteoporosis and Raloxifene is an effective drug in restoring alveolar bone density and architecture