Nicotine Affects Angiogenesis, Impairing Osseointegration

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main local regulators of angiogenesis on peri-implant bone healing in tibae of systemically nicotine-modified rats.
Methods: Sixty rats (Wistar) undergone two-daily-applications of saline (Veh Group, n=30) or nicotine (Nic Group, n=30) solutions. After thirty days, all animals were submitted to titanium implant (DSP Biomedical® - 2.2 mm x 4 mm) placement in their right tibia. The surgical alveoli were prepared with a cutter (2 mm) attached to surgical motor (45 N, 980 rpm), under constant irrigation. Ten animals from each group were euthanized at 15, 30 and 60 postoperative days. The tibiae were collected and submitted to histological processing in order to be subjected to immunohistochemical reactions with the HIF-1α and VEGF primary polyclonal antibodies. Data were analyzed semi-quantitatively.
Results: For both markers, HIF-1α and VEGF, the Veh group showed high imunolabeling pattern at 15 days and moderated at 30 and 60 days, while Nic group presented low imunnolabeling pattern in all experimental periods.
Conclusions: We concluded that nicotine affects negatively the main local regulators of angiogenesis on peri-implant bone region, what can damage the osseointegration process.