Effects of alendronate on the peri-implant bone in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of alendronate on the peri-implant bone in rat maxillae with the aid of micro-computed tomographic, histologic, and biochemical analyses.


METHODS
Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After extraction of the maxillary first molars, each rat was given periodic subcutaneous injections of either alendronate (alendronate group) or saline (control group). Customized implants were placed bilaterally 4 weeks after these injections. The rats were sacrificed at either 4, 8, or 12 weeks after implantation (4-, 8-, and 12-week groups, respectively; n = 6 rats per group). Microcomputed tomographic and histologic analyses were conducted for all rats. Biochemical analyses were performed at four time points for the 12-week groups.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the groups on microcomputed tomographic and histologic analyses. All of the measured biochemical parameters tended to decrease over time, with significant differences among some time points within each group. The serum osteocalcin level was significantly lower in the 12-week alendronate group than in the control group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Three approaches were utilized in evaluating the effects of alendronate. It appears serum osteocalcin levels may serve as an adjuvant marker for this purpose, although further studies are required to confirm this.
Department of Prosthodontics, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
K C
KC
Oh
H S
HS
Moon
J H
JH
Lee
Y B
YB
Park
J-H
JH
Kim
D019386:Alendronate / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D015415:Biomarkers; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D015675:Osteocalcin; D019386:Alendronate
alendronate; bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws; peri-implant bone condition; serum carboxy terminal telopeptide of type I collagen; serum osteocalcin