Effects of alendronate on the peri-implant bone in rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 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. MATERIALS AND 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.