Protective effects of etoricoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, in experimental periodontitis in rats.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a potent selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, etoricoxib, on the prevention of alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis induced in rats.


METHODS
Ninety Wistar rats were separated into three experimental groups. Cotton ligatures were placed at the gingival margin level of lower right first molars. The rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control received a daily oral dose of 1 ml/kg of saline solution; Eto1 received 6 mg/kg of etoricoxib; Eto2 received 12 mg/kg of etoricoxib. Serum levels of etoricoxib and white blood cells were determined. Standardized digital radiographs were taken after death at 3, 5, 10, 18 and 30 days to measure the amount of bone loss at the mesial root surface of the first molar tooth in each rat.


RESULTS
One-way analysis of variance (anova) indicated that groups treated with both doses of etoricoxib had significantly (p < 0.05) less alveolar bone loss when compared to controls. Furthermore, etoricoxib treatment significantly inhibited the leukocytosis observed 3 days after the induction of periodontitis.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide evidence that systemic therapy with etoricoxib can retard alveolar bone loss in a ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats.
Holzhausen
Marinella
M
Department of Periodontology, Dental School of Aranaquara, State University of São Paulo, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
Spolidorio
Denise M Palomari
DM
Muscará
Marcelo Nicolás
MN
Hebling
Josimery
J
Spolidorio
Luis Carlos
LC
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D000077613:Etoricoxib; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000097:blood*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013450:Sulfones / Q000097:blood*
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D013450:Sulfones; D000077613:Etoricoxib