Aged rats under zoledronic acid therapy and oral surgery.
BACKGROUND
Aging brings a number of health conditions that can compromise the healing process in elderly individuals, significantly when it comes to bone tissue. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of zoledronic acid (ZL) therapy on socket healing of aged male rats.


METHODS
Twenty-four Wistar male rats, 20 months old, underwent surgical procedures for the extraction of the upper right incisor and were divided into two groups according to the treatment: Control (C) - intravenous (IV) 0.9% saline, ZL - 0.035 mg/kg of IV zoledronic acid, both every 15 days. At the fifth dose of both substances, tooth extractions were performed and the animals were euthanized after 14 and 28 days.


RESULTS
IV administration of ZL caused OPG-RANKL system imbalance, resulting in deficient bone formation and remodeling and alteration of osteoclast morphology, as well as maintaining persistent inflammation during the healing period.


CONCLUSIONS
IV administration of ZL delayed extracted dental socket healing of aged rats, but not enough to cause osteonecrosis, raising a question about different responses to IV BP therapy considering animal age.
São Paulo State University (Unesp) (Head: Prof. W. R. Poi), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Rua José Bonifácio 1193, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: vicmak.blv@terra.com.br.
Mariza Akemi
MA
Matsumoto
São Paulo State University (Unesp) (Head: Prof. W. R. Poi), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Rua José Bonifácio 1193, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
Elisa Mara
EM
de Abreu Furquim
São Paulo State University (Unesp) (Head: Prof. W. R. Poi), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Rua José Bonifácio 1193, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
Alaíde
A
Gonçalves
School of Dentistry, Sagrado Coração University - USC, Rua Irmã Arminda 10-50, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Joel Ferreira
JF
Santiago-Júnior
School of Dentistry, Sagrado Coração University - USC, Rua Irmã Arminda 10-50, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Patrícia Pinto
PP
Saraiva
School of Dentistry, Sagrado Coração University - USC, Rua Irmã Arminda 10-50, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Camila Lopes
CL
Cardoso
School of Dentistry, Sagrado Coração University - USC, Rua Irmã Arminda 10-50, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Marcelo Salles
MS
Munerato
São Paulo State University (Unesp) (Head: Prof. W. R. Poi), School of Dentistry, Araçatuba, Rua José Bonifácio 1193, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
Roberta
R
Okamoto
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
Aging; Bisphosphonate; Oral surgery; Rats