Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that alendronate can prevent and treat osteoporosis, but there are few reports about alendronate application for alveolar bone absorption.
OBJECTIVE: To build an animal model of alveolar bone absorption so as to evaluate the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in periodontal tissues with periodontitis in response to different concentrations of alendronate.
METHODS: Rabbit models were divided into five groups: collagen+0.5 g/L alendronate group, collagen+1 g/L alendronate group, collagen+2 g/L alendronate group, collagen group and control group. The expression of RANKL and OPG in the periodontal tissues was detected with immunohistochemistry method.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: RANKL and OPG were localized in osteoblasts, osteoclasts and fibroblasts. RANKL/OPG ratio in the control and collagen groups was significantly greater than that in the other three groups (P < 0.05). RANKL/OPG ratio in the collagen+1 g/L alendronate group was higher than that in the collagen+0.5 g/L alendronate group at 2 and 4 weeks after medication (P <0.05). The results indicated that alendronate, especially at a concentration of 1 g/L could decrease RANKL/OPG ratio and inhibit alendronate alveolar bone absorption.