Effect of systemic administered zoledronic acid on osseointegration of a titanium implant in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether zoledronic acid improves post-implant osseointegration in an ovariectomized rat model.

Materials and methods: A total of 36 female Wistar rats were subdivided into three groups: control (CTRL), ovariectomized (OVX) and ovariectomized + zoledronic acid (OVX/ZOL). Both OVX and OVX/ZOL groups underwent ovariectomy procedures, while the CTRL group received a sham operation. After a 90-day waiting period following surgery, the OVX/ZOL group received a weekly intravenous injection of 0.04 mg/kg zoledronic acid over a period of 6 weeks. The CTRL and OVX groups received intravenous injections of 0.9% NaCl, and the injections were administered with a dosing schedule that was identical to that of the OVX/ZOL group. After completing the 6-week injection regimen, every group received a titanium implant that was 1.6 mm in diameter by 4 mm in length, which was placed in the proximal metaphysis of the left tibia. All of the rats were sacrificed after 60 days and the tibia bones were harvested and processed for histological evaluation.

Results: The percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC) varied significantly between groups. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that BIC was significantly higher in the OVX/ZOL group than in the OVX group.

Conclusions: Systemic zoledronic acid improved tibial titanium implant osseointegration in an oestrogen-deficient rat model.

Keywords: Implant; Osseointegration; Osteoporosis; Zoledronic acid.