Effect of Dietary Amino Acids L-Arginine and Lysine on Implant Osseointegration

BACKGROUND: Low protein diets have been linked to decreased bone strength in humans. Arginine and lysine can help improve the healing process and stimulate growth factors. AIM: To evaluate if dietary arginine and lysine combination aids in reducing the time frame for osseo-integration process and bone formation in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Controls (Group I) and Experimental (Group II) consisted of twelve New Zealand rabbits. Animals in the experimental group were fed a conventional pellet food, water, and the amino acids L-Lysine and L-Arginine (Biovea, USA), whereas those in the control group were offered a standard diet. In both groups of animals, titanium implants measuring 2.5mm* 6mm were implanted in each tibial osteotomy. At the end of two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks, the animals were euthanized. The tibial bone was removed and preserved in 1% formalin. The samples were analysed histologically for presence or absence of Necrosis, presence or absence of clot formation, Vascularization, Fibroblast, Osteoblasts and Osteoid Bone growth. RESULTS: Histological outcomes on vascularization, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteoid bone growth inferred no significant variation between the control and experimental groups after 8 weeks (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Vascularity, clot organisation, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and osteoid bone production in the protein fed experimental group animals were better in initial stages of healing when compared to control groups.