Mandible ́s radiographic and histomorphometric assessment in female rats medicated with glucocorticoid and biphosphonate

Abstract

Glucocorticoids and biphosphonates are drugs that interfere in bone structure. In order to assess if these changes are evident at radiographies and histological slides, 36 wistar female rats were allocated to 3 groups of 12 animals. Group 1 received saline solution (subcutaneous injections - 2 ml/kg), groups 2 and 3 received metilprednisolone acetate (1 mg/kg). Group 3 received also risedronate (3mg/kg). The animals were killed, the left hemimandíble was dissected, radiographed and histologically prepared. One observer blind to the group composition measured the optical density and trabecular proportion means. The ANOVA, complemented by Tukey ́s test (=5%) showed significantly smaller mean in the group 2 (glucocorticoid, 165.54±8.95) than in groups 1 (control, 182.96±4.53) and 3 (180.99±6.21). The groups 1 and 3 do not differ between themselves. The same statistical tests showed significant histological differences among groups. Group 2 (glucocorticoid, 53.94±12.53) had the smallest mean proportion of bone trabeculae per field, and group 3 (risedronate, 81.14±7.20) the largest. Both differ significantly from group 1 (control, 72.00±5.95) (F=37.56;p<0.01). In conclusion, glucocorticoid and biphosphonate administration interferes with rats mandibular trabecular proportion and these changes are radiographically detectable.