Article
Analysis of the alveolar bone loss assessed by MicroCT in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis
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Authors
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M.E. Rodrigues
- State University of Ceara, Department of Physiological Science, Fortaleza, Brazil
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M.E. Kunkel
- University of Ulm, Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Ulm, Germany
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J.M. Rollo
- University of Sao Paulo, Program Graduate Interunit Bioengineering, Sao Carlos, Brazil
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V.M. Ceccatto
- State University of Ceara, Department of Physiological Science, Fortaleza, Brazil
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R. Porto de Sousa
- State University of Ceara, Department of Physiological Science, Fortaleza, Brazil
| Published: | October 21, 2010 |
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Outline
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Objective: There is an increasing interest about the relationship between systemic osteoporosis of postmenopausal women and mandible bone loss. Changes in the microarquitecture of the maxillary bones are the main factor for resorption of the alveolar bone which has an important function for the support of teeth. The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in oral bones associated with osteoporosis using two protocols to promote osteoporosis in rats by estrogen suppression.
Methods: Experimental osteoporosis was studied in 18 Wistar female rats with initial body weight of 209.7±4.2 g and 90 days old. The animals were divided into three groups: control group, sham-operated (SHAM, n=6) and two groups sacrificed at 30 and 60 days following ovariectomy (OVX30, n=6 and OVX60, n=6). Biochemical tests were carried out after the surgical procedure of ovariectomy. Morphometric analysis using 3D reconstruction of micro-computed tomography images (μCT) of the mandibles was performed to quantify the vertical resorption of the alveolar bone in the region of the second inferior molar right. The linear measurements of the alveolar bone were performed using the software Vgstudio Max 1.0.
(Figure 1 [Fig. 1])
Results and conclusions: Biochemical tests showed a significant difference in the level of alkaline phosphatase between the control and the two operated group (SHAM=62.28±7.70 U/i, OVX30=134.28±18.02 U/i and OVX60=103±5.53 U/i. No significant difference was observed about the serum calcium among the three groups. The morphometric analyses using μCT showed that the estrogen deficiency due to ovariectomy caused significant changes in the microarquitecture of the alveolar bone. There was a significant decrease of the alveolar bone height (OVX30=18.49% and OVX60=32.51%) concerning to the control group (p<0.05; ANOVA).
The findings assessed on the basis of biochemical tests and morphometric analyses of mandibles anatomical dimensions provided evidence that systemic bone loss in OVX rats is accompanied by oral bone loss. The micro-computed tomography was essential in the identification of the alveolar bone loss evidence, indicating the possibility of the osteopenia condition interfere in the dental retention especially in the 60 days protocol, where beyond the bone loss of the alveolar bone were observed qualitative alteration in the trabecular bone structure between the roots of the dental unities. With the rat model developed in this study, it is possible to enhance research concerning to the bone loss of mandibles due to estrogen deficiency.
