Efeito do alendronato sódico sobre a atividade clástica na periodontite experimental em ratos / Effect of alendronate on the clastic activity in induced periodontitis in rats

A periodontite é uma doença de natureza multifatorial e infecciosa, que resulta na inflamação e perda dos tecidos de suporte dos dentes. Essa inflamação é causada por bactérias associadas ao biofilme, causando a perda progressiva de inserção. Os bisfosfonatos são fármacos com capacidade de inibir a reabsorção óssea, atuando nas células clásticas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos do alendronato, um bisfosfonato nitrogenado com grande potência antireabsortiva, na evolução da doença periodontal induzida em ratos, bem como a possível presença de necrose óssea no processo alveolar. Foram utilizados 48 ratos Wistar albinos, do sexo masculino, com 3 meses de vida e peso médio de 250g. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Alendronato (ALN) e Controle (CON). A periodontite foi induzida com a inserção de um fio de seda 4.0 no sulco gengival do segundo molar superior. Os ratos do grupo ALN, receberam doses diárias de 2,5 mg/kg durante 7 dias antes e 7, 14, 21 e 30 dias após a indução da doença; o grupo CON recebeu solução salina estéril. Nos tempos citados as maxilas foram fixadas, descalcificadas e incluídas em parafina ou resina Spurr. Os cortes foram corados com HE,

para análise morfológica, e histomorfométrica. Alguns cortes foram submetidos à imuno-histoquímica para detecção de RANKL e OPG. Foi utilizado o método TRAP, marcador de osteoclastos e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão para análise ultraestrutural. O ALN inibiu a reabsorção da crista alveolar de todos os grupos tratados. As células clásticas apresentaram-se em estado latente. No grupo controle a crista alveolar foi reabsorvida e o TRAP revelou clastos ativos, achados confirmados pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. A expressão de RANKL, molécula ativadora da célula clástica, não foi inibida pela droga. A expressão de OPG foi aumentada nos animais tratados. Os animais do grupo tratado durante 21 e 30 dias, apresentaram sinais de osteonecrose na crista alveolar, como lacunas de osteócitos vazias e regiões exposta de osso. Os resultados demonstraram que o uso de alendronato durante a doença periodontal inibe a reabsorção óssea e que durante tempos prolongados pode gerar osteonecrose na região da crista óssea.

Periodontitis is an infectious disease of multifactor nature that results in the inflammation of the tissues supporting the teeth. This inflammation is caused by accumulation of biofilm and causes progressive insertion and bone loss. The bisphosphonates are drugs with the capability to inhibit the activity of clastic cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alendronate, a nitrogenated bisphosphonate with high antiresorptive power on experimental periodontal disease, and to analyze the possible presence of osteonecrosis in the rat alveolar process. Forty-eight male Wistar rats, three months old, with 250g weight were used. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: Alendronate (ALN) and Control (CON). The periodontitis was induced with a 4.0 silk wire inserted into the gingival sulcus around the right upper second molar. The ALN rats, received daily doses of 2.5 mg/kg alendronate (ALN) for 7 days before the induction of periodontitis; the treatment continued for additional 7, 14, 21 or 30 days. The CON rats, received sterile saline solution. In the time points cited, the maxillae were fixed, decalcified and embedded in Spurr resin or paraffin. The specimens were morphologically analyzed in HE stained sections, after which histomorphometry was carried out. Some stained sections were used for immunolabeling for RANKL and OPG

The osteoclasts were marker by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry. The ultrathin sections were examined in a transmission electron microscope. ALN reduced the activity of osteoclasts and significantly decreased the resorption of the alveolar crest. In the control group the alveolar crest appeared resorbed, while TRAP showed active osteoclasts, findings confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of RANKL, an osteoclast-activating molecule, was not inhibited by the drug. The expression of OPG was increased in the treated animals. The animals of the group treated for 21 and 30 days showed signs of osteonecrosis of the alveolar crest, as empty osteocyte lacunae in the exposed bone regions. The results showed that the use of ALN for periodontal disease inhibited bone resorption; when it was administered for prolonged periods it can cause osteonecrosis in the bone crest area

Immunolocalization of Smad-4 in developing molar roots of alendronate-treated rats.

INTRODUCTION: During root formation, Smad-4 plays a key role during the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) apical proliferation. The root formation and eruption of rat molars is impeded by alendronate treatment due to the inhibition of bone resortion by this drug. The present study aimed to examine the structures affected in the developing root and immunodetect the presence of Smad-4 in rats treated with alendronate. METHODS: Newborn Wistar rats were daily injected 2.5 mg/kg alendronate (ALN) during 9, 12 and 30 days. The controls (CON) were injected with saline. The maxillae were fixed and embedded in paraffin or Spurr resin. Paraffin sections were incubated in Smad-4 antibody that was labelled with DAB. The ultrathin sections were examined in a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: In ALN, a short portion of root dentine was formed; the epithelial diaphragm (ED) and the dental follicle (DF) were disorganized by the contact of bone trabeculae. The (CON) molar roots developed normally. Smad-4 labelling was detected in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts and cementoblasts adjacent to the cementum in CON; in ALN group, few ED cells presented weak immunolabelling. Ultrastructurally, the ED and DF appeared disrupted due to the presence of thin bone trabeculae between its cells. It resulted in the lack of apical proliferation of HERS and, consequently, arrest of root formation. CONCLUSION: The immunodetection of Smad-4 in the DF cells of ALN specimens indicates that the signalling for the differentiation of these cells into cementum-forming fibroblasts and cementoblasts occurs, despite the impairment of root elongation.