Histometric evaluation of bone loss in periodontitis influenced by alendronate

Objectives:The alendronate is a bisphosphonate drug used with success in the treatment of the osteoporosis and have demonstrated to reduce the alveolar bone resorption in surgical procedures using mucoperiostal flap. Bisphosphonates have a high affinity for the calcium of the bone tissue and inhibit the bone resorption mediated by the osteoclasts.This study focuses the effect of alendronate on bone loss rate of periodontal disease induced by ligature in female rats with osteoporosis by means of radiographic analysis. Methods:The osteoporosis was induced in 26 female rats, through the removal of the ovaries and after 40 days the experimental periodontitis was induced by placing silk ligatures around the mandibular first molars. After 10 days of the placement ligature, the animals were randomly assigned in 2 groups, saline solution (G1) and alendronate -15 mg/Kg (G2) and started to receive the drugs subcutaneously, 3 times a week. After fourty days, all animals were sacrificed, their jaws were removed, and the specimens routinely processed for serial decalcified sections. Measurements of the bone loss at the furcation area were conducted using an image analysis system and the volume were obtained. Results:t-Student test was used to compare means (p<0,05) and did not reveal a significant difference of bone loss volume between G1 and G2. Conclusions:Within the limits of the present study, the administration of alendronate did not influence bone loss in ligature induced periodontitis in ovariectomized rats.