Effect of topical administration of monosodium olpadronate on experimental periodontitis in rats.
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis is characterized by gingival inflammation, periodontal pocket formation, and bacterial plaque that lead to alveolar bone destruction. Research studies have recently begun to evaluate the effect of antiresorptive agents using experimental models of periodontitis. Bisphosphonates are the most frequently tested antiresorptive agents; their main effect is inhibition of bone resorption. The aim of this study was to perform a histomorphometric evaluation of the preventive effect of monosodium olpadronate (OPD), an aminobisphosphonate, on experimental periodontitis (EP).


METHODS
Twenty male Wistar rats were used in this experiment. The animals were assigned to one of two groups: group I: EP; and group II: EP plus topical administration of OPD (EP + OPD). The contralateral side in both groups served as untreated controls (CI and CII), respectively. Mesio-distally oriented sections of each lower first molar were obtained for histomorphometric evaluation.


RESULTS
The treated group (EP + OPD) exhibited marked inhibition of bone loss; interradicular bone volume was significantly greater than that observed in the EP group. The height of the periodontal ligament in the interradicular alveolar bone, which served as an indirect measure of bone loss, was found to be significantly increased in the EP group as compared to the EP + OPD group. Osteoclasts in the OPD treated group were detached from the bone surface, were round in shape, and exhibited a loss of polarity and lack of ruffled borders.


CONCLUSIONS
The dose used herein was found to inhibit bone loss and to cause marked morphologic changes in osteoclasts. The drug effectively prevented bone loss caused by periodontitis.
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Juan A
JA
Goya
Hugo A
HA
Paez
Patricia M
PM
Mandalunis
D000287:Administration, Topical; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; C055774:olpadronic acid