Diabetes mellitus and corticotherapy as risk factors for alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a study in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of diabetes and corticotherapy on the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with sodium alendronate.

METHODS

Rats were allocated into 4 groups of 11 animals each, representing different treatments: (1) alendronate; (2) alendronate and corticotherapy; (3) alendronate and diabetes; and (4) control. Tooth extractions were performed in all animals, and histological analysis was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 and anti-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 antibodies.

RESULTS

On hematoxylin and eosin analysis, proportions of inflammatory infiltrate, microbial colonies, and osteonecrosis were significantly greater in the diabetes group. BMP-4 expression in connective tissue was higher in the corticosteroid group than the alendronate group. There were no significant differences between the other groups. MMP-13 expression did not differ between the groups analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes but not corticotherapy is associated with jaw osteonecrosis in rats undergoing alendronate therapy and subjected to tooth extractions.