ATORVASTATIN PREVENTS MEDICATION-RELATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW IN RATS

Abstract

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication of antiresorptive drugs, that is still a subject of clinical and experimental research. Recent studies show that statins might have a

potential positive effect on bone metabolism via stimu- lation of osteoblastic activity.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of atorvastatin on the prevention of MRONJ. Methods: Twenty-five white laboratory Wistar rats were divided equally in five groups. Positive control group received only saline i.p. while all other groups received 0.06 mg/kg zoledronic acid i.p., once weekly for seven weeks, including the negative control group. In addition, examined groups 1, 2 and 3 received a single atorvastatin injection on the extraction site immediately after the

extraction, once weekly intraperitoneal atorvastatin in- jection for seven weeks, and local injection of atorva- statin two weeks after the tooth extraction, respectively.

Tooth extraction was performed in all groups on day 21. Clinical scores of wound healing and three-dimensional

cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were per- formed to evaluate the occurrence of MRONJ. Mann- Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis and P

value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Negative control group showed significantly impaired wound healing, with exposed necrotic bone, confirmed with osteolytic lesions on CBCT. All groups

treated with atorvastatin showed statistically sig- nificant improved wound healing, less osteonecrosis

and better scores on CBCT evaluation, when com- pared to negative control group, but similar to posi- tive control group.

Conclusion: Atorvastatin may be an option for preven- tion and treatment of MRONJ.