title: Effect of an estrogen-deficient state and alendronate therapy on bone loss resulting from experimental periapical lesions in rats.
abstract: The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of an estrogen-deficient state and alendronate (ALD) therapy on bone loss resulting from experimental periapical lesions in rats. Periapical lesions were induced on ovariectomized (OVX) and sham-ovariectomized (Sham) rats. After sample preparation, histologic and radiographic examination for periapical bone loss area and an enzyme histochemical test for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were performed. The results showed that OVX significantly increased bone loss resulting from periradicular lesions. After daily subcutaneous injection of ALD, the bone loss area and the number of TRAP-positive cells (osteoclasts) were reduced. These findings suggested that alendronate may protect against increased bone loss from experimental periapical lesions in estrogen-deficient rats. Given recent recognition of adverse effects of bisphosphonates, including an increased risk for osteonecrosis, the findings from this study should not be interpreted as a new indication for ALD treatment. However, they may offer insight into understanding and predicting outcomes in female postmenopausal patients already on ALD therapy for medical indications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Haofei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Xiaolei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D019386:Alendronate