Influence of age on combined effects of cyclosporin and nifedipine on rat alveolar bone.
BACKGROUND
There is some evidence showing that cyclosporin A (CsA) and nifedipine (NIF) affect bone metabolism. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of CsA and NIF, given alone or concurrently, on alveolar bone of rats of different ages.


METHODS
Rats 15, 30, 60, and 90 days old were treated daily with 10 mg/kg body weight of CsA subcutaneously injected and/or 50 mg/kg body weight of NIF/day given orally for 60 days. Alveolar bone of the first lower molars was morphologically and stereologically evaluated in serial 5 microm bucco-lingual paraffin sections, stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured in all animals at the end of the experimental period.


RESULTS
Rats treated with CsA or NIF alone or CsA and NIF concurrently showed decreased alveolar bone density. CsA was more effective than NIF. A significant decrease in serum calcium was found only in animals treated with CsA or CsA/NIF. The results were similar regardless of age.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the decrease in the alveolar bone volume in rats caused by CsA and NIF alone or concurrently is not age dependent. Furthermore, NIF (50 mg/kg) did not further increase the loss of alveolar bone volume induced by CsA (10 mg/kg).
Spolidorio
L C
LC
Department of Oral Pathology, Dental School, Araraquara, University of State of São Paulo, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. lcs@foar.unesp.br
Spolidorio
D M
DM
Nassar
P O
PO
Nassar
C A
CA
Holzhausen
M
M
Almeida
O P
OP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium