Zoledronic acid enhances bone-implant osseointegration more than alendronate and strontium ranelate in ovariectomized rats

Local application of zoledronate inhibits early bone resorption and promotes bone formation

Nonunion resulting from early bone resorption is common after bone transplantation surgery. In these patients, instability or osteoporosis causes hyperactive catabolism relative to anabolism, leading to graft resorption instead of fusion. Systemic zoledronate administration inhibits osteoclastogenesis and is widely used to prevent osteoporosis; however, evidence on local zoledronate application is controversial due to osteoblast cytotoxicity, uncontrolled dosing regimens, and local release methods. We investigated the effects of zolendronate on osteoclastogenesis and osteogenesis and explored the corresponding signaling pathways. In vitro cytotoxicity and differentiation of MC3T3E1 cells, rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and preosteoclasts (RAW264.7 cells) were evaluated with different zolendronate concentrations. In vivo bone regeneration ability was tested by transplanting different concentrations of zolendronate with β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) bone substitute into rat femoral critical-sized bone defects. In vitro, zolendronate concentrations below 2.5 × 10-7 M did not compromise viability in the three cell lines and did not promote osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3E1 cells and BMSCs. In RAW264.7 cells, zoledronate inhibited extracellular regulated protein kinases and c-Jun n-terminal kinase signaling, downregulating c-Fos and NFATc1 expression, with reduced expression of fusion-related dendritic cell‑specific transmembrane protein and osteoclast-specific Ctsk and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (. In vivo, histological staining revealed increased osteoid formation and neovascularization and reduced fibrotic tissue with 500 μM and 2000 μM zolendronate. More osteoclasts were found in the normal saline group after 6 weeks, and sequential osteoclast formation occurred after zoledronate treatment, indicating inhibition of bone resorption during early callus formation without inhibition of late-stage bone remodeling. In vivo, soaking β-TCP artificial bone with 500 μM or 2000 μM zoledronate is a promising approach for bone regeneration, with potential applications in bone transplantation.

The effect of drugs on implant osseointegration- A narrative review

OBJECTIVE

This narrative review aims to investigate the effects of drugs on implant osseointegration, analyzing their potential positive or negative impact on the direct structural and functional connection between bone and load-carrying implants.

BACKGROUND

The review seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of osseointegration, which refers to the successful integration of an implant with living bone, resulting in no progressive relative movement between them. Exploring the effects of drugs on implant osseointegration is crucial for optimizing outcomes and enhancing patient care in orthopedic implant procedures.

METHODS

Relevant studies on the effects of drugs on implant osseointegration were identified through a literature search. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, were utilized, employing appropriate keywords and MeSH terms related to osseointegration, implants, and drug interventions. The search was limited to English studies.

DISCUSSION

This overview presents a detailed analysis of the effects of drugs on implant osseointegration. It explores drugs such as bisphosphonates, teriparatide, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, nitrites, and thiazide diuretics as promoters of osseointegration. Conversely, loop diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, cyclosporine A, cisplatin, methotrexate, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antiepileptics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and anticoagulants are discussed as inhibitors of the process. The role of vitamin D3 remains uncertain. The complex relationship between drugs and the biology of implant osseointegration is emphasized, underscoring the need for further in vitro and in vivo studies to validate their effects CONCLUSION: This narrative review contributes to the literature by providing an overview of the effects of drugs on implant osseointegration. It highlights the complexity of the subject and emphasizes the necessity for more extensive and sophisticated studies in the future. Based on the synthesis of the reviewed literature, certain drugs, such as bisphosphonates and teriparatide, show potential for promoting implant osseointegration, while others, including loop diuretics and certain antibiotics, may impede the process. However, additional research is required to solidify these conclusions and effectively inform clinical practice.

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Local Delivery of Zoledronic Acid in Accelerating Bone Healing After the Extraction of Mandibular Third Molars

Background and objective Zoledronic acid (ZA) has been reported to aid with the formation of new bone, inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, and improve osteoblast proliferation. This split-mouth randomized clinical research aimed to evaluate the effect of the local application of ZA on bone regeneration after the removal of bilateral mandibular third molars. Methods A randomized, split-mouth study involving 12 patients aged 19-35 years requiring extraction of bilaterally mandibular third molars was conducted. The extraction of mandibular third molars on both sides was conducted in one session for all patients. In each participant, a gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) soaked with ZA was randomly applied to one cavity of the extraction socket. A gelatin sponge soaked with normal saline was applied to the opposite cavity; all patients were blinded as to which socket the drug was applied to. The study was conducted over a period of two months. The changes in bone density (BD) in the socket were assessed through cone-beam CT (CBCT) images; two images were taken for each patient at two different time points: immediately after extraction (T0) and after two months (T1). Results BD values in the socket on both sides of extraction increased from T0 to T1. There were statistically significant differences when comparing the amount of change in radiographic BD from T0 to T1 between the two sides of the extraction (p<0.05); the increase in radial BD between the two different time points was more significant in the ZA group. Conclusions Within the limitation of this study, the local application of ZA radiographically improved bone healing in a statistically significant manner and could be a cost-effective and simple way to activate bone regeneration.

Zoledronic Acid Implant Coating Results in Local Medullary Bone Growth

Osteoarthritis (OA) can necessitate surgical interventions to restore the function of the joint in severe cases. Joint replacement surgery is one of the procedures implemented to replace the damaged joint with prosthetic implants in severe cases of OA. However, after successful implantation, a fraction of OA patients still require revision surgery due to aseptic prosthetic loosening. Insufficient osseointegration is one of the factors that contribute to such loosening of the bone implant, which is commonly made from titanium-based materials. Zoledronic acid (ZA), a potent bisphosphonate agent, has been previously shown to enhance osseointegration of titanium implants. Herein, we fabricated ZA/Ca composites using a reverse microemulsion method and coated them with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate monosodium salt (DOPA) to form ZA/Ca/DOPA composites. Titanium alloy screws were subsequently dip-coated with a suspension of the ZA/Ca/DOPA composites and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) in chloroform to yield Za/PLGA-coated screws. The coated screws exhibited a biphasic in vitro release profile with an initial burst release within 48 h, followed by a sustained release over 1 month. To assess their performance in vivo, the Za/PLGA screws were then implanted into the tibiae of Sprague-Dawley rats. After 8 weeks, microCT imaging showed new bone growth along the medullary cavity around the implant site, supporting the local release of ZA to enhance bone growth around the implant. Histological staining further confirmed the presence of new mineralized medullary bone growth resembling the cortical bone. Such local medullary growth represents an opportunity for future studies with alternative coating methods to fine-tune the local release of ZA from the coating and enhance complete osseointegration of the implant.

Effects of Drugs and Chemotherapeutic Agents on Dental Implant Osseointegration: Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Dental implants have been one of the most popular treatments for rehabilitating individuals with single missing teeth or fully edentulous jaws since their introduction. As more implant patients are well-aged and take several medications due to various systemic conditions, clinicians should be mindful of possible drug implications on bone remodeling and osseointegration.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to study and review some desirable and some unwelcomed implications of medicine on osseointegration.

METHODS

A broad search for proper relevant studies were conducted in four databases, including Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Some commonly prescribed medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), glucocorticoids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anticoagulants, metformin, and chemotherapeutic agents may jeopardize osseointegration. On the contrary, some therapeutic agents such as anabolic, anti-catabolic, or dual anabolic and anti-catabolic agents may enhance osseointegration and increase the treatment's success rate.

CONCLUSION

Systemic medications that enhance osseointegration include mineralization promoters and bone resorption inhibitors. On the other hand, medications often given to the elderly with systemic problems might interfere with osseointegration, leading to implant failure. However, to validate the provided research, more human studies with a higher level of evidence are required.

Alendronate enhances osseointegration in a murine implant model

Administration of bisphosphonates following total joint arthroplasty might be beneficial to reduce aseptic loosening. However, their effects on peri-implant bone formation and bone-implant interface strength have not been investigated yet. We used a physiologically loaded mouse implant model to investigate the short-term effects of postoperative systemic alendronate on osseointegration. A titanium implant with a rough surface was inserted in the proximal tibiae of 17-week-old female C57BL/6 mice (n = 44). Postimplantation mice were given alendronate (73 μg/kg/days, n = 22) or vehicle (n = 22) 5 days/week. At 7- and 14-day postimplantation, histology and histomorphometry were conducted. At 28 days, microcomputed tomography and biomechanical testing were performed (n = 10/group). Postoperative alendronate treatment enhanced osseointegration, increasing maximum pullout load by 45% (p < .001) from 19.1 ± 4.5 N in the control mice to 27.6 ± 4.9 N in the treated mice, at day 28 postimplantation. Alendronate treatment increased the bone volume fraction by 139% (p < .001) in the region distal to the implant and 60% (p < .05) in the peri-implant region. At 14-day postimplantation, alendronate treatment decreased the number of osteoclasts per bone perimeter (p < .05) and increased bone volume fraction (p < .01) when compared with the control group. Postimplantation, short-term alendronate treatment enhanced osseointegration as demonstrated by increased bone mass, trabecular bone thickness, and maximum pullout load. Alendronate decreased peri-implant osteoclasts while preserving peri-implant osteoblasts and endothelial cells, in turn, increasing bone volume fraction. This data supports the postoperative clinical use of bisphosphonates, especially in patients with high risks of aseptic loosening.

Lithium chloride promotes osteogenesis and suppresses apoptosis during orthodontic tooth movement in osteoporotic model via regulating autophagy

Osteoporosis is a widely distributed disease that may cause complications such as accelerated tooth movement, bone resorption, and tooth loss during orthodontic treatment. Promoting bone formation and reducing bone resorption are strategies for controlling these complications. For several decades, the autophagy inducer lithium chloride (LiCl) has been explored for bipolar . In this study, we investigated the autophagy-promoting effect of LiCl on bone remodeling under osteoporotic conditions during tooth movement. Ovariectomy was used to induce osteoporosis status in vivo. The results showed that LiCl rejuvenated autophagy, decreased apoptosis, and promoted bone formation, thus protecting tooth movement in osteoporotic mice. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that LiCl reversed the effects of ovariectomy on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) extracted from ovariectomized mice, promoting osteogenesis and suppressing apoptosis by positively regulating autophagy. These findings suggest that LiCl can significantly decrease adverse effects of osteoporosis on bone remodeling, and that it has great potential significance in the field of bone formation during tooth movement in osteoporosis patients.

Efficacy of strontium supplementation on implant osseointegration under osteoporotic conditions: A systematic review

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Strontium has been validated for potent bone-seeking and antiosteoporotic properties and elicits a potentially beneficial impact on implant osseointegration in patients with osteoporosis. However, the efficacy of strontium supplementation on improving new bone formation and implant osseointegration in the presence of osteoporotic bone is still unclear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review was to comprehensively assess the efficacy of strontium supplementation, encompassing oral intake and local delivery of strontium, on implant osseointegration in patients with osteoporosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Searches on electronic databases (MEDLINE or PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Embase, and Clinicaltrials.gov) and manual searches were conducted to identify relevant preclinical animal trials up to June 2020. The primary outcomes were the percentage of bone-implant contact and bone area; the secondary outcomes were quantitative parameters of biomechanical tests and microcomputed tomography (μCT).

RESULTS

Fourteen preclinical trials (1 rabbit, 1 sheep, and 12 rat), with a total of 404 ovariectomized animals and 798 implants, were eligible for analysis. The results revealed a significant 17.1% increase in bone-implant contact and 13.5% increase in bone area, favoring strontium supplementation despite considerable heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses of both bone-implant contact and bone area exhibited similar outcomes with low to moderate heterogeneity. Results of biomechanical and μCT tests showed that strontium-enriched implantation tended to optimize the mechanical strength and microarchitecture of newly formed bone despite moderate to generally high heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available preclinical evidence, strontium supplementation, including local and systemic delivery, showed promising results for enhancing implant osseointegration in the presence of osteoporosis during 4 to 12 weeks of healing. Future well-designed standardized studies are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of strontium supplementation and to establish a standard methodology for incorporating Sr into implant surfaces in a clinical setting.

Comparable Effects of Strontium Ranelate and Alendronate Treatment on Fracture Reduction in a Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Alendronate (Aln) has been the first-line drug for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), while the comparable efficacy of Aln and strontium ranelate (SrR) remains unclear. This study is aimed at comparing the effects of SrR and Aln treatment in a mouse model of OI. Three-week-old oim/oim and wt/wt female mice were treated with SrR (1800 mg/kg/day), Aln (0.21 mg/kg/week), or vehicle (Veh) for 11 weeks. After the treatment, the average number of fractures sustained per mouse was significantly reduced in both SrR- and Aln-treated oim/oim mice. The effect was comparable between these two agents. Both SrR and Aln significantly increased trabecular bone mineral density, bone histomorphometric parameters (bone volume, trabecular number, and cortical thickness and area), and biomechanical parameters (maximum load and stiffness) as compared with the Veh group. Both treatments reduced bone resorption parameters, with Aln demonstrating a stronger inhibitory effect than SrR. In contrast to its inhibitory effect on bone resorption, SrR maintained bone formation. Aln, however, also suppressed bone formation coupled with an inhibitory effect on bone resorption. The results of this study indicate that SrR has comparable effects with Aln on reducing fractures and improving bone mass and strength. In clinical practice, SrR may be considered an option for patients with OI when other medications are not suitable or have evident contraindications.

Osseointegration Pharmacology: A Systematic Mapping Using Artificial Intelligence

Clinical performance of osseointegrated implants could be compromised by the medications taken by patients. The effect of a specific medication on osseointegration can be easily investigated using traditional systematic reviews. However, assessment of all known medications requires the use of evidence mapping methods. These methods allow assessment of complex questions, but they are very resource intensive when done manually. The objective of this study was to develop a machine learning algorithm to automatically map the literature assessing the effect of medications on osseointegration. Datasets of articles classified manually were used to train a machine-learning algorithm based on Support Vector Machines. The algorithm was then validated and used to screen 599,604 articles identified with an extremely sensitive search strategy. The algorithm included 281 relevant articles that described the effect of 31 different drugs on osseointegration. This approach achieved an accuracy of 95%, and compared to manual screening, it reduced the workload by 93%. The systematic mapping revealed that the treatment outcomes of osseointegrated medical devices could be influenced by drugs affecting homeostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation and bone remodeling. The effect of all known medications on the performance of osseointegrated medical devices can be assessed using evidence mappings executed with highly accurate machine learning algorithms.

Histomorphometric Evaluation of Peri-Implant Bone Response to Intravenous Administration of Zoledronate (Zometa®) in an Osteoporotic Rat Model

We evaluated the response to peri-implant bone placed in the femoral condyle of osteoporotic rats, following intravenous zoledronate (ZOL) treatment in three settings: pre-implantation (ZOL-Pre), post-implantation (ZOL-Post), and pre- + post-implantation (ZOL-Pre+Post). Twenty-four female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX). After 12 weeks, the rats received titanium implants in the right femoral condyle. ZOL (0.04 mg/kg, weekly) was administered to six rats 4 weeks pre-implantation and was stopped at implant placement. To another six rats, ZOL was given post-implantation and continued for 6 weeks. Additional six rats received ZOL treatment pre- and post-implantation. Control animals received weekly saline intravenous injections. At 6 weeks post-implantation, samples were retrieved for histological evaluation of the percentage of bone area (%BA) and of the percentage of bone-to-implant contact (%BIC). BA% for ZOL-Pre (29.6% ± 9.0%) and ZOL-Post (27.9% ± 5.6%) rats were significantly increased compared to that of the controls (17.3% ± 3.9%, p < 0.05). In contrast, ZOL-Pre+Post rats (20.4% ± 5.0%) showed similar BA% compared to Saline controls (p = 0.731). BIC% revealed a significant increase for ZOL-Post (65.8% ± 16.9%) and ZOL-Pre+Post (68.3% ± 10.0%) rats compared with that of Saline controls (43.3% ± 9.6%, p < 0.05), while ZOL-Pre rats (55.6% ± 19%) showed a BIC% comparable to that of Saline controls (p = 0.408). Our results suggest that receiving intravenous ZOL treatment before or after implant placement enhances peri-implant bone responses in terms of bone area. However, the effect of different ZOL treatment regimens on BIC% was found to be inconclusive.

Alendronate Impairs Healing of Calvaria Critical Defects After Bone Graft With Different Bone Substitute Materials

PURPOSE

The aim of this preclinical study was to evaluate the healing of critical-sized defects (CSDs) in the calvarial bone of rats grafted with deproteinized bovine bone graft (DBB) and with a combination of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and bisphosphonate treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-four animals were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the type of solution administered: the control group (CTR, saline solution) and the test group (alendronate [ALD]; sodium alendronate-50 μg/kg/day). Medications were administered via oral gavage starting 15 days before the surgical procedure until the end of the experiment. A CSD (5 mm in diameter) was made in the calvaria of each animal, and the rats were randomly allocated to 3 subgroups according to the biomaterial used to fill the defect: coagulum, DBB, and HA/TCP. The animals were sacrificed 15 and 60 days after the surgical procedure (n = 7 animals/period/subgroup). Microcomputed tomography was used to evaluate the percentage of mineralized tissues (volume). The amount of newly formed bone and remaining bone substitute material in the calvaria were analyzed by histomorphometry.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the CTR and ALD groups with regard to the volume of mineralized tissues. The DBB and HA/TCP subgroups of CTR animals presented a significant increase in newly formed bone compared with these subgroups of ALD animals after 60 days of healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings indicate that the use of oral ALD reduced bone formation in CSD in the calvaria of rats grafted with DBB and HA/TCP.

The use of bisphosphonates to meet orthopaedic challenges

The anti-resorptive properties of bisphosphonates have been explored to manage several conditions that traditionally have required a surgical solution. In osteonecrosis, their use is predicated on the principle that bone collapse occurs during the revascularisation phase of the disease. If the associated resorptive activity were modulated, the resultant preserved joint architecture may improve clinical outcome and reduce the need for joint replacement. Pre-clinical and small-scale clinical studies have given non-conclusive support for this principle. Adequately powered clinical trials with relevant long-term endpoints are still required to firmly clarify the clinical efficacy of this treatment. Several clinical studies have shown that bisphosphonates can reduce periprosthetic bone loss and, in some situations, enhance implant fixation in the early period after joint replacement. This may be advantageous in settings where osseointegration is problematic. However, the ultimate goals of their use in joint replacement has been to reduce the incidence of late periprosthetic inflammatory osteolysis, the main cause of prosthesis failure. Population-based observational studies have associated bisphosphonate use with a lower incidence of revision surgery, supported by pre-clinical data. However, clinical trials have, to date, failed to demonstrate any efficacy for the human disease. The timing of bisphosphonate administration for secondary prevention after acute osteoporotic fracture has been subject to extensive investigation, with pre-clinical studies showing increased callus formation but decreased remodelling and no effect on the restoration of mechanical integrity of bone. Meta-analysis of clinical trial data indicates that early administration of bisphosphonate after acute fracture does not adversely affect fracture union, pain or functional outcomes. Finally, bisphosphonates have also been explored as a treatment for complex regional pain syndrome type-I. A recent meta-analysis has shown a beneficial effect on visual analogue scale pain scores, but an increase in mild adverse events.

Long-term evaluation of alendronate treatment on the healing of calvaria bone defects in rats. Biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical analyses

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the long-term alendronate administration on bone healing in defects created in rat calvarias.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 2 groups: Control (CTL): animals received saline solution once a week; and Alendronate (ALD): rats underwent alendronate treatment (1 mg/kg/weekly). After 120 days from the commencement of treatment, a critical size defect was created in all animals, and 10 animals from each group were sacrificed at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45 and 60-days after the defect creation. On the day of sacrifice, urine and blood samples were collected for determination of the serum levels of bone resorption and formation markers by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the femurs, descriptive histology, tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase staining and immunohistochemical analyzes were assessed in the calvaria.

RESULTS

Alendronate group showed increased BMD compared to the test group. The concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen and deoxypyridinoline decreased significantly, and the concentration of aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type 1 and osteocalcin were significant lower in the alendronate group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed significant downregulation in the inducible nitric oxide synthase, runt-related transcription factor-2, cathepsin-K and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand expression in the alendronate group. Vascular endothelial growth factor and osteopontin were upregulated in the later periods of alendronate group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that long-term treatment with alendronate did not compromise the repair processing of critical size defects in rat.

Tibolone, alendronate, and simvastatin enhance implant osseointegration in a preclinical in vivo model

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the effect of different drugs such as simvastatin, alendronate, and tibolone for titanium implant osseointegration enhancement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty female albino Wistar rats were equally divided into five groups: Group I (ovariectomy), Group II (sham ovariectomy), Group III (alendronate + ovariectomy), Group IV (simvastatin + ovariectomy), and Group V (tibolone + ovariectomy). Three months after ovariectomy, we performed bilateral titanium intramedullary nailing in all groups, followed by oral administration of alendronate, simvastatin, or tibolone for 12 weeks. Examinations included micro-CT, mechanical pull-out test, histology, and bone serum markers.

RESULTS

Peri-implant micro-CT analysis showed a significantly higher overall bone tissue in tibolone compared to the ovariectomy group, while no significant difference was found between the treatment groups. Sham ovariectomy, alendronate, and tibolone groups had a higher body mass density compared to ovariectomy and simvastatin groups. All treatment groups had a greater thickness of the peri-implant compact bone layer compared to ovariectomy group, but the results were not statistically significant. Tibolone presented the highest values in pull-out test, but alendronate showed more consistently positive results compared to other groups. Osteocalcin had in the tibolone group almost three times the value in the ovariectomy group, but the results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The hypothesis that alendronate, simvastatin, and tibolone enhance the osseointegration process of intramedullary titanium implants in ovariectomized rats has been accepted, while tibolone could offer the best results.

Effects of Systemic or Local Administration of Zoledronate on Implant Osseointegration: A Preclinical Meta-Analysis

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effect of systemically administrated zoledronate on bone-implant fixation in animal models.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and EBSCO for studies that explore the role of systemic or local zoledronate delivery in implant osseointegration in animal models. The Review Manager software was used to analyze selected studies by using the weighted mean difference random-effects model. Analytical data are mainly about bone ingrowth, such as bone-to-implant contact (BIC), bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), and bone area.

Results

Twenty studies were selected from 182 publications. The mean quality score was 18/20 for all of the 20 studies (κ = 0.9). Despite differences in protocols, these studies showed consistent improvement of implant osseointegration with zoledronate administration. In addition, the osteoporotic animal model, systemic or local administration, sufficient drug dosage, and sample follow-up time were correlated with improved outcomes.

Conclusion

Systematic administration of zoledronate could improve the osseointegration of orthopedic implant in animal models. Results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted cautiously because of the inherent differences between preclinical and clinical subjects. For the local administration, there is a similar trend as well, but the results need to be confirmed and complemented with further analyses.

Antiosteoporotic Drugs to Promote Bone Regeneration Related to Titanium Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

IMPACT STATEMENT

This meta-analysis was to investigate literature on the administration of antiosteoporotic drugs as an effective adjunct therapy for implant osseointegration using in vivo animal models.

Systemic administration of strontium ranelate to enhance the osseointegration of implants: systematic review of animal studies

The literature states that Strontium (Sr) is able to simultaneously stimulate bone formation and suppress bone resorption. Recent animal studies suggest that the systemic administration of Sr, in the form of strontium ranelate (SRAN), would enhance the osseointegration of implants. The purpose of the present study was to undertake a systematic review on animal studies evaluating the systemic administration of Sr to enhance the osseointegration of titanium implants and the remodeling of bone grafts. The MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus bibliographic databases were searched from 1950 to October 2017 for reports on the use of systemic and non-radioactive Sr to enhance the osseointegration of titanium implants and the remodeling of bone grafts in animals. The search strategy was restricted to English language publications using the combined terms: "strontium" and "implant or graft or biomaterial or bone substitute". Five studies were included, all related to the systemic administration of Sr in the form SRAN, and its effects on osseointegration of titanium implants. No studies on the use of SRAN-based therapy to enhance the remodeling of bone grafts were found. The studies differed notably with respect to the study population (healthy female rats, healthy male rats, and female rats with induced osteoporosis) and SRAN dose (ranging from 500 to 1000 mg/kg/day). Results were diverse, but a tendency suggesting positive influence of systemic SRAN administration on the osseointegration of titanium implants was observed. No major side-effects due to strontium administration were reported. Systemic Sr administration, in the form of SRAN, seems to enhance peri-implant bone quality and implant osseointegration in animals, however, at a moderate extent. Further studies, evaluating both the effects of this drug on implant osseointegration and the risk/benefit of its use, are needed to provide a rationale of this therapeutic approach.

Effects of strontium ranelate on wear particle‑induced aseptic loosening in female ovariectomized mice

Aseptic loosening and menopause‑induced osteoporosis are caused by an imbalance between bone formation and osteolysis. With an aging population, the probability of simultaneous occurrence of such conditions in an elderly individual is increasing. Strontium ranelate (SR) is an anti‑osteoporosis drug that promotes bone formation and inhibits osteolysis. The present study compared the effects of SR with those of the traditional anti‑osteoporosis drug alendronate (ALN) using an ovariectomized mouse model of osteolysis. The degree of firmness of the prosthesis and the surrounding tissue was examined, a micro‑CT scan of the prosthesis and the surrounding tissue was performed, and the levels of inflammatory and osteogenic and osteoclast factors were examined. It was observed that treatment with SR and ALN improved the bond between the prosthesis and the surrounding bone tissue by reducing the degree of osteolysis, thus improving the quality of bone around the prosthesis. SR increased the secretion of osteocalcin, runt‑related transcription factor 2 and osteoprotegerin (OPG). It additionally decreased the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor‑κB ligand (RANKL) and consequently increased the protein ratio OPG/RANKL, whereas ALN exhibited the opposite effect. Furthermore, SR and ALN suppressed tumor necrosis factor‑α and interleukin‑1β production, with SR exerting a more marked effect. The present results demonstrate that SR and ALN may stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption in the ovariectomized mouse model of wear particle‑mediated osteolysis, with SR demonstrating better effects compared with ALN.

Prevention of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats : Comparative study of zoledronic acid, parathyroid hormone (1-34) and strontium ranelate

Recently, the use of the pharmacological agents strontium ranelate (SR), parathyroid hormone (1-34, PTH) and zoledronic acid (ZA) has come to prominence for the treatment of osteoporosis due to their ability to prevent bone loss in osteoporotic patients. Although much emphasis has been placed on using pharmacological agents for the prevention of disease, much less attention has been placed on which one is more effective. There is still no direct comparative study on these three drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SR, PTH, ZA on preventing ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. After bilateral ovariectomy the rats randomly received vehicle, SR (500 mg/kg body weight/day, orally), PTH (20 μg/kg/day, subcutaneously) or a single injection of ZA (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) until death at 12 weeks. The distal femurs were harvested for evaluation of bone metabolism. The rats treated with ZA demonstrated the highest levels of new bone formation as assessed by microcomputed tomography (CT), biomechanical strength, histological analysis and bone metabolism. Furthermore, PTH and SR showed a stronger effect on improving trabecular bone mass at 12 weeks. The results from the present study demonstrate that systemic administration of PTH, SR and ZA could prevent bone loss, while a single dose of ZA has a better effect on preventing ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis than either PTH or SR.

Bone remodeling and mechanobiology around implants: Insights from small animal imaging

Anchorage of orthopedic implants depends on the interfacial bonding between the implant and the host bone as well as on the mass and microstructure of peri-implant bone, with all these factors being continuously regulated by the biological process of bone (re)modeling. In osteoporotic bone, implant integration may be jeopardized not only by lower peri-implant bone quality but also by reduced intrinsic regeneration ability. The first aim of this review is to provide a critical overview of the influence of osteoporosis on bone regeneration post-implantation. Mechanical stimulation can trigger bone formation and inhibit bone resorption; thus, judicious administration of mechanical loading can be used as an effective non-pharmacological treatment to enhance implant anchorage. Our second aim is to report recent achievements on the application of external mechanical stimulation to improve the quantity of peri-implant bone. The review focuses on peri-implant bone changes in osteoporotic conditions and following mechanical loading, prevalently using small animals and in vivo monitoring approaches. We intend to demonstrate the necessity to reveal new biological information on peri-implant bone mechanobiology to better target implant anchorage and fracture fixation in osteoporotic conditions. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:584-593, 2018.

Lithium chloride enhances bone regeneration and implant osseointegration in osteoporotic conditions

Osteoporotic patients have a high risk of dental and orthopedic implant failure. Lithium chloride (LiCl) has been reported to enhance bone formation. However, the role of LiCl in the success rate of dental and orthopedic implants in osteoporotic conditions is still unknown. We investigated whether LiCl enhances implant osseointegration, implant fixation, and bone formation in osteoporotic conditions. Sprague-Dawley female rats (n = 18) were ovariectomized (OVX) to induce osteoporosis, and another nine rats underwent sham surgery. Three months after surgery, titanium implants were implanted in the tibia of the OVX and sham group rats. After implantation, the OVX rats were gavaged with 150 mg/kg/2 days of LiCl (OVX + LiCl group) or saline (OVX group), and sham group rats were gavaged with saline for 3 months. Implant osseointegration and bone formation were analyzed using histology, biomechanical testing, and micro computed tomography (micro-CT). More bone loss was observed in the OVX group compared to the control, and LiCl treatment enhanced bone formation and implant fixation in osteoporotic rats. In the OVX group, bone-implant contact (BIC) was decreased by 81.2 % compared to the sham group. Interestingly, the OVX + LiCl group showed 4.4-fold higher BIC compared to the OVX group. Micro-CT data of tibia from the OVX + LiCl group showed higher bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and osseointegration compared to the OVX group. Maximum push-out force and implant-bone interface shear strength were 2.9-fold stronger in the OVX + LiCl group compared to the OVX group. In conclusion, LiCl enhanced implant osseointegration, implant fixation, and bone formation in osteoporotic conditions, suggesting LiCl as a promising therapeutic agent to prevent implant failure and bone loss in osteoporotic conditions.

Systemic drugs that influence titanium implant osseointegration

Titanium implants are widely used on an increasing number of patients in orthopedic and dental medicine. Despite the good survival rates of these implants, failures that lead to important socio-economic consequences still exist. Recently, research aimed at improving implant fixation, a process called osseointegration, has focused on a new, innovative field: systemic delivery of drugs. Following implant fixation, patients receive systemic drugs that could either impair or enhance osseointegration; these drugs include anabolic and anti-catabolic bone-acting agents in addition to new treatments. Anabolic bone-acting agents include parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptides, simvastatin, prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist, vitamin D and strontium ranelate; anti-catabolic bone-acting agents include compounds like calcitonin, biphosphonates, RANK/RANKL/OPG system and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM). Examples of the new therapies include DKK1- and anti-sclerostin antibodies. All classes of treatments have proven to possess positive impacts such as an increase in bone mineral density and on osseointegration. In order to prevent complications from occurring after surgery, some post-operative systemic drugs are administered; these can show an impairment in the osseointegration process. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The effects of aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids, adjuvants, anticoagulants and antibiotics in implant fixations are not fully understood, but studies are being carried out to investigate potential ramifications. It is currently accepted that systemic pharmacological agents can either enhance or impair implant osseointegration; therefore, proper drug selection is essential. This review aims to discuss the varying effects of three different classes of treatments on improving this process.

The effects of implant topography on osseointegration under estrogen deficiency induced osteoporotic conditions: Histomorphometric, transcriptional and ultrastructural analysis

Compromised bone quality and/or healing in osteoporosis are recognised risk factors for impaired dental implant osseointegration. This study examined the effects of (1) experimentally induced osteoporosis on titanium implant osseointegration and (2) the effect of modified implant surface topography on osseointegration under osteoporosis-like conditions. Machined and micro-roughened surface implants were placed into the maxillary first molar root socket of 64 ovariectomised and sham-operated Sprague-Dawley rats. Subsequent histological and SEM observations showed tissue maturation on the micro-rough surfaced implants in ovariectomised animals as early as 3days post-implantation. The degree of osseointegration was also significantly higher around the micro-rough implants in ovariectomised animals after 14days of healing although by day 28, similar levels of osseointegration were found for all test groups. The micro-rough implants significantly increased the early (day 3) gene expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and dentin matrix protein 1 in implant adherent cells. By day 7, the expression of inflammatory genes decreased while the expression of the osteogenic markers increased further although there were few statistically significant differences between the micro-rough and machined surfaces. Osteocyte morphology was also affected by estrogen deficiency with the size of the cells being reduced in trabecular bone. In conclusion, estrogen deficiency induced osteoporotic conditions negatively influenced the early osseointegration of machined implants while micro-rough implants compensated for these deleterious effects by enhancing osteogenic cell differentiation on the implant surface.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Lower bone density, poor bone quality and osseous microstructural changes are all features characteristic of osteoporosis that may impair the osseointegration of dental implants. Using a clinically relevant trabecular bone model in the rat maxilla, we demonstrated histologically that the negative effects of surgically-induced osteoporosis on osseointegration could be ameliorated by the biomaterial's surface topography. Furthermore, gene expression analysis suggests this may be a result of enhanced osteogenic cell differentiation on the implant surface.

Effect of osteoporosis medications on fracture healing

Antiosteoporotic medications are often used to concurrently treat a patient's fragility fractures and underlying osteoporosis. This review evaluates the existing literature from animal and clinical models to determine these drugs' effects on fracture healing. The data suggest that these medications may enhance bone healing, yet more thorough prospective studies are warranted. Pharmacologic agents that influence bone remodeling are an essential component of osteoporosis management. Because many patients are first diagnosed with osteoporosis when presenting with a fragility fracture, it is critical to understand how osteoporotic medications influence fracture healing. Vitamin D and its analogs are essential for the mineralization of the callus and may also play a role in callus formation and remodeling that enhances biomechanical strength. In animal models, antiresorptive medications, including bisphosphonates, denosumab, calcitonin, estrogen, and raloxifene, do not impede endochondral fracture healing but may delay repair due to impaired remodeling. Although bisphosphonates and denosumab delay callus remodeling, they increase callus volume and result in unaltered biomechanical properties. Calcitonin increases cartilage formation and callus maturation, resulting in improved biomechanical properties. Parathyroid hormone, an anabolic agent, has demonstrated promise in animal models, resulting in accelerated healing with increased callus volume and density, more rapid remodeling to mature bone, and improved biomechanical properties. Clinical data with parathyroid hormone have demonstrated enhanced healing in distal radius and pelvic fractures as well as postoperatively following spine surgery. Strontium ranelate, which may have both antiresorptive and anabolic properties, affects fracture healing differently in normal and osteoporotic bone. While there is no effect in normal bone, in osteoporotic bone, strontium ranelate increases callus bone formation, maturity, and mineralization; forms greater and denser trabeculae; and improves biomechanical properties. Further clinical studies with these medications are needed to fully understand their effects on fracture healing in order to simultaneously treat fragility fractures and underlying osteoporosis.

A Strontium-Modified Titanium Surface Produced by a New Method and Its Biocompatibility In Vitro

OBJECTIVE

To present a new and effective method of producing titanium surfaces modified with strontium and to investigate the surface characteristics and in vitro biocompatibility of titanium (Ti) surfaces modified with strontium (Sr) for bone implant applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sr-modified Ti surfaces were produced by sequential treatments with NaOH, strontium acetate, heat and water. The surface characteristics and the concentration of the Sr ions released from the samples were examined. Cell adhesion, morphology and growth were investigated using osteoblasts isolated from the calvaria of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats. Expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins was examined to assess the effect of the Sr-modified Ti surfaces on osteoblasts.

RESULTS

The modified titanium surface had a mesh structure with significantly greater porosity, and approximately5.37±0.35at.% of Sr was incorporated into the surface. The hydrophilicity was enhanced by the incorporation of Sr ions and water treatment. The average amounts of Sr released from the Sr-modified plates subjected to water treatment were slight higher than the plates without water treatment. Sr promoted cellular adhesion, spreading and growth compared with untreated Ti surfaces. The Sr-modified Ti plates also promoted expression of osteogenesis-related genes,and expression of OPN and COL-І by osteoblasts. Ti plates heat treated at 700°C showed increased bioactivity in comparison with those treated at 600°C. Water treatment upregulated the expression of osteogenesis-related genes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that Sr-modification of Ti surfaces may improve bioactivity in vitro. Water treatment has enhanced the response of osteoblasts. The Sr-modified Ti heat-treated at 700°C exhibited better bioactivity compared with that heated at 600°C.

Citrate-based biphasic scaffolds for the repair of large segmental bone defects

Attempts to replicate native tissue architecture have led to the design of biomimetic scaffolds focused on improving functionality. In this study, biomimetic citrate-based poly (octanediol citrate)-click-hydroxyapatite (POC-Click-HA) scaffolds were developed to simultaneously replicate the compositional and architectural properties of native bone tissue while providing immediate structural support for large segmental defects following implantation. Biphasic scaffolds were fabricated with 70% internal phase porosity and various external phase porosities (between 5 and 50%) to mimic the bimodal distribution of cancellous and cortical bone, respectively. Biphasic POC-Click-HA scaffolds displayed compressive strengths up to 37.45 ± 3.83 MPa, which could be controlled through the external phase porosity. The biphasic scaffolds were also evaluated in vivo for the repair of 10-mm long segmental radial defects in rabbits and compared to scaffolds of uniform porosity as well as autologous bone grafts after 5, 10, and 15 weeks of implantation. The results showed that all POC-Click-HA scaffolds exhibited good biocompatibility and extensive osteointegration with host bone tissue. Biphasic scaffolds significantly enhanced new bone formation with higher bone densities in the initial stages after implantation. Biomechanical and histomorphometric analysis supported a similar outcome with biphasic scaffolds providing increased compression strength, interfacial bone ingrowth, and periosteal remodeling in early time points, but were comparable to all experimental groups after 15 weeks. These results confirm the ability of biphasic scaffold architectures to restore bone tissue and physiological functions in the early stages of recovery, and the potential of citrate-based biomaterials in orthopedic applications.

Pharmacologic augmentation of implant fixation in osteopenic bone

Osteoporosis presents a challenge for successful implant fixation due to an impaired healing response. Preclinical studies have consistently reported reduced osseointegration capability in trabecular bone. Although clinical studies of implant success in dentistry have not found a negative effect due to osteoporosis, low bone mass is a significant risk factor for implant migration in orthopedics. Pharmacologic treatment options that limit bone resorption or upregulate formation have been studied preclinically. While, both treatment options improve implant fixation, direct comparisons to-date have found anti-catabolic more effective than anabolic treatments for establishing implant fixation, but combination approaches are better than either treatment alone. Clinically, anti-catabolic treatments, particularly bisphosphonates have been shown to increase the longevity of implants, while limited clinical evidence on the effects of anabolic treatment exists. Preclinical experiments are needed to determine the effects of osteoporosis and subsequent treatment on the long-term maintenance of fixation and recovery after bone loss.