Effect of zoledronate acid treatment on osseointegration and fixation of implants in autologous iliac bone grafts in ovariectomized rabbits

One main problem associated with alveolar bone augmentation in implant dentistry is resorption of grafted bone, which may be further compromised by systemic skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis. Zoledronate acid (ZOL) is the most potent bisphosphonate to treat osteoporosis and therefore it is hypothesized to be able to invert the negative effect of osteoporosis on osseointegration and fixation of dental implants in autologous bone grafts. In this study, 56 rabbits received bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) (40 rabbits) or sham operation (16 rabbits). Three months later, 8 animals from each group were sacrificed for bone mineral density (BMD) examination. Then the remaining animals underwent bilateral autologous iliac bone grafting with simultaneous implantation of titanium implants in tibiae and were divided into 5 groups (n = 8): Sham, OVX, Loc-ZOL (local treatment), Sys-ZOL (systemic treatment) and Loc + Sys-ZOL (local plus systemic) group. At 3 months after implantation, all animals were sacrificed and specimens were harvested for examinations. Both BMD and histological examinations of femurs showed osteoporotic changes after ovariectomy, while systemic treatment with ZOL restored mineralized bone. Micro-CT examination demonstrated that OVX group showed significant decrease of mineralized bone and implant-bone contact when compared with sham control, whereas both systemic and local treatments of ZOL significantly increased mineralized bone and implant-bone contact in ovariectomized animals. However, the best effects were observed in Loc + Sys-ZOL group (combined use of ZOL) and most of bone indices were similar to (IBCR, p > 0.05) or higher than (BV/TV, Conn.D and Tb.N) (p < 0.01) those of the sham group, except Tb.Th, which was still significantly lower (p < 0.01), and Tb.Sp, which was further decreased (p < 0.01). The aforementioned effects were also confirmed by histomorphometric analysis of bone indices on implant-bone contact and mineralized bone. In addition, biomechanical testing further supported the beneficial effect of ZOL treatment and maximal removal torque of titanium implants was observed in Loc + Sys-ZOL group. In conclusion, our study suggests that both systemic and local treatments with ZOL can invert negative effect of osteoporosis and promote osseointegration and fixation of dental implants in autologous bone grafts under osteoporotic condition. Combined systemic and local use of ZOL exerts best effects when compared to their single use.

► We explore effect of zoledronate on bone graft healing and fixation of implants. ► Osteoporosis can impede bone graft healing and decrease fixation of implants. ► Systemic and local use of zoledronate can invert negative effect of osteoporosis. ► Zoledronate promotes autologous bone graft healing and increases implants fixation. ► Combined use of zoledronate exerts better effects than their single use.