1.The effect of melatonin on prevention of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: an animal study in rats
Afshin YADEGARI ; Atousa AMINZADEH ; Sam SEYYEDKHAMESI ; Maedeh AMINIAN
Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2020;46(4):266-274
Objectives:
Melatonin induces human stem cells, converts pre-osteoblasts to mature osteoblasts, and reduces the duration of this transition. However, melatonin itself prevents activation of osteoclasts. Here, we evaluate the role of melatonin in prevention of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Materials and Methods:
In this experimental-interventional study, 30 rats were evaluated in 3 groups. The first and second groups received saline and zoledronic acid, respectively, for 4 weeks and the third group received 4 weeks of zoledronic acid and 3 weeks of melatonin simultaneously. Firstright-maxillary-molar extraction was performed for all animals, which were sacrificed after 4 weeks of recovery. The extraction sockets were examined histologically for the presence of osteonecrosis, number of osteoclasts and fibroblasts, severity of inflammation, and vascularization. Data were ana-lyzed by chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Tukey, Kruskal–Wallis and Fisher’s exact statistical tests (α=0.05).
Results:
Osteonecrosis was observed in 20%, 90%, and 70% of the first, second and third groups, respectively (p=0.008). The lowest number of osteoclasts and fibroblasts was seen in the third group.
Conclusion
Melatonin may effectively prevent some undesirable side effects of bisphosphonates. However, further studies are required to confirm the results of this study.