Alendronate Treatment of Naturally‐Occurring Periodontitis in Beagle Dogs

Abstract

The treatment of periodontal disease has been largely directed at the microbiological etiology. The prevention of bone loss by modulating the host response to the bacteria may be a useful adjunctive method in the management of periodontitis. Alendronate, an amino bisphosphonate, may inhibit bone loss in osteolytic diseases by altering osteoclast activity. The objective of this double-blind study was to evaluate alendronate inhibition of alveolar bone loss in the naturally occurring beagle dog model of periodontitis. Sixteen 7 to 9 year old beagles with moderate-to-severe periodontitis were studied for 6 months. The dogs were stratified into two groups based on initial periodontal severity. One group received 3.0 mg/kg alendronate weekly orally and the other group received a placebo. Silk ligatures were placed on the study teeth for the first 3 months of the study to exacerbate the periodontal destruction. Clinical data were collected for attachment level, gingival index, plaque index, and mobility at baseline and one-month intervals. Intraoral radiographs were made at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. The mandibles were processed for histology at month 6. The radiographs were analyzed by digital image analysis of the subtracted images. A statistically significant difference in bone mass (P < 0.001) was observed between the alendronate and placebo groups. The bisphosphonate had no effect on the clinical parameters of gingival inflammation or plaque. A trend toward decreased attachment loss and mobility was observed in favor of the alendronate group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A Pilot Study - Comparison between a Novel Combination of Bioactive Glass with Clodronate and Bioactive Glass Alone as a Treatment for Chronic Periodontitis

“…In an experimental study on periodontitis in rats, Mitsuta et al [23] suggested that the local administration of clodronate may be effective in preventing osteoclastic activity leading to bone resorption, which is the main characteristic of periodontitis. Another bisphosphonate agent, alendronate, was examined in a beagle dog model for its capability of inhibiting alveolar bone loss [24]. In the alendronate group, a significant increase in bone mass was observed compared to placebo groups.…”

The Effect of Bisphosphonates and Low-Dose Doxcycline Therapy in Diabetics With Periodontitis: A Review

“…One of the most common investigated BP is alendronate, an aminobisphosphonate, proved to be effective as adjunctive treatment in both patients with type 2 DM and post-menopausal women with little or no sideeffects. 25,36 Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of systemic alendronate in human 37,38 and animal models 39,40 in decreasing loss and increasing density of alveolar bone. de Almeida et al 41 concluded that topical use of sodium alendronate as an adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) shown to be effective in treatment of experimental periodontitis.…”

Actonel&lt;sup&gt;&#174;&lt;/sup&gt; (risedronate) therapy for the maintenance of alveolar bone in adult chronic periodontitis

“…While relatively few studies have assessed the usefulness of bisphosphonates to treat bone loss in the oral cavity, preliminary trials in animals have indicated that systemically administered bisphosphonates have a bonesparing effect in periodontitis [2][3][4]. Studies have shown positive effects on both alveolar bone height and density when alendronate sodium-another bisphosphonate-was administered orally in doses on the order of 70 mg per * week over a 6-month treatment period [4][5][6][7].…”