Effects of zoledronic acid on healing of mandibular fractures: an experimental study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of systemically administered zoledronic acid (ZA) on mandibular fracture healing in a rabbit model using radiodensitometric, biomechanical, histologic, and histomorphometric methods.


METHODS
A total of 36 skeletally mature male New Zealand white rabbits were used. The rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. A mandibular corpus fracture was created experimentally in all 36 rabbits. The experimental group was administered an intravenous, single dose of 0.1 mg/kg ZA, and the control group was administered only saline infusion during the procedure. All rabbits were sacrificed on the 21st postoperative day. Digital radiodensitometric analysis, a 3-point bending test, and histologic and histomorphometric examinations were performed on the harvested hemimandibles. The data were analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
Biomechanical testing data showed that ZA treatment resulted in a significant increase in the healed bone strength. This result was supported by the radiologic, histologic, and histomorphometric findings.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study have revealed that systemic administration of ZA accelerates and improves the bone healing of mandibular fractures.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Çukurova University Faculty of Dentistry, Adana, Turkey. dr.ufuktatli@gmail.com
Ufuk
U
Tatli
Yakup
Y
Ustün
Mehmet
M
Kürkçü
Ozgür
O
Erdoğan
Cihan Cem
CC
Gürbüz
Hülya
H
Ozgür
Sait
S
Polat
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid