Effects of a single intravaneous dose of zoledronic acid on bone healing following tooth extraction in ovariectomized rabbits

OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of administering a single intravenous dose of zoledronic acid (ZA) on bone healing following tooth extraction in ovariectomized rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female, New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups including Control, ovariectomy + saline (OVX) and ovariectomy + zoledronic acid group (ZOL). Bilateral ovariectomy was performed to the rabbits in OVX and ZOL groups under general anesthesia. Control group underwent sham surgery. Eight weeks later, mandibular right incisors of all animals were extracted under general anesthesia. Before the procedure, Control and OVX groups were given saline and 0.1 mg/kg ZA was administered to ZOL group intravenously. All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. RESULTS: The findings of histopathological and biochemical evaluations reflected insignificant differences among study groups in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), increases in osteoclasts, ossification, vascularization and mononuclear cell infiltration measures (p > 0.05). In contrast, bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and organization of the extraction wound differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: The potential beneficial effects of ZA administration on the wound healing process following tooth extraction were demonstrated via serum TNF-α, BMP-2 and VEGF levels in an osteoporotic model in ovariectomized rabbits.