Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the imaging and histological features of experimental periapical lesions, including the adjacent alveolar bone, in rats under zoledronic acid treatment. The study used 40 male Wistar rats distributed into 8 groups of 5 animals each: G1: induction of periapical lesion (PL) and weekly intraperitoneal administration (WIPA) of saline solution (0.9% NaCl) for 4 weeks; G2: PL induction and WIPA of zoledronic acid (0.15 mg/kg/week) for 4 weeks; G3: PL induction and WIPA of saline solution for 8 weeks; G4: PL induction and WIPA of zoledronic acid for 8 weeks; G5:WIPA of saline solution for 4 weeks and subsequent PL induction; G6: WIPA of zoledronic acid for 4 weeks and subsequent PL induction; G7: WIPA of saline solution for 8 weeks and subsequent PL induction; G8: WIPA of zoledronic acid for 8 weeks and subsequent PL induction. The administration of zoledronic acid or saline solution continued after PL induction until the euthanasia. Thus, cone beam computed tomography and histological analysis were performed. Statistical analyzes were performed by ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. Groups treated with zoledronic acid showed significantly smaller size of PL than the groups treated with 0.9% NaCl (p<0.05). PLs were formed by chronic inflammation ranging from mild to moderate, with no difference between groups. In all specimens, no mandibular necrosis was observed. In conclusion, the presence of PLs apparently does not represent an important risk factor for the development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.
Highlights
Evidence about periapical lesions acting as a risk factor is limited
In the control and zoledronic acid groups, no ulcers or osteonecrosis with exposed bone were observed during clinical examination after the mandibles were removed and examined
The groups treated with zoledronic acid (G2, G4, G6 and G8) showed periapical lesions with a significantly smaller size than those in the groups treated with 0.9% NaCl (G1, G3 G5 and G7), respectively (p
Summary
These drugs have high affinity for bone tissue and act by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and the bone resorption [1,2,3]. BP is phagocytosed by osteoclasts, inducing changes in cellular morphology and apoptosis of osteoclasts [4] This results in decreasing of osteoclastic activity on the bone surface. The synthesis of OPG leads to a decreasing in osteoclastic activity [5] Because of their anti-resorptive action, BP are used in the treatment of bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, Paget disease, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, multiple myeloma, and bone metastases [1,2,3]
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