A histopathological investigation on the effects of the bisphosphonate alendronate on resorptive phase following mucoperiosteal flap surgery in the mandible of rats

Background: The present study was designed to examine histopathologically w hether local delivery of aminobisphosphonate (alendronate) could be effecti ve in preventing the alveolar bone resorption associated with mucoperiostea l flaps. Methods: Following mucoperiosteal flap elevation in the molar region of the rat mandible, a surgical pellet soaked with aminobisphosphonate was locall y applied on the exposed bone surface and covered by flap. The determined p arameters with a semi-quantitative subjective method for the histopathologi cal evaluation were as follows: existing inflammatory cell infiltration of the related periodontal tissue; fibrotic component content and bundles of c ollagen fibers; the number and morphology of osteoclasts of the alveolar bo ne and interdental septum; existing resorption lacunae (osteoclast surfaces ); and existing osteoblastic activity (forming surfaces). Results: The results showed that while there were no detectable statistical ly significant differences between the saline and alendronate-treated group s on the existing inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI), number of osteoclas ts, and osteoblastic activity, the results for the fibrotic and collagen co mponent, osteoclast morphologies, and existing resorption lacunae were stat istically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that local application of the aminobisph osphonate alendronate can be used as an adjunct in therapy for reducing bon e resorption following surgery. It can also be suggested for consideration that, even for the surgical approaches in dentistry where bone graft materi als and/or dental implants are needed, using bisphosphonate may achieve a n ew dimension in periodontal therapy in the near future.