Evaluation of the effects of melatonin on the post-extraction sockets of wistar rats exposed to a therapeutic dose of alendronate

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate the effects of melatonin administration on the post-extraction alveoli of rats exposed to alendronate.

Materials and methods

This was a pre-clinical cohort study of adult male Wistar rats, conducted over a period of 5 months in an animal facility suitable for animal experiments.

Rats in groups 1 and 2 received melatonin and vitamin D respectively per os at a rate of 1 mg/kg/week and 0.25 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks. Group 3 received saline subcutaneously. All rats received alendronate at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg twice/week for 8 weeks. Four weeks after drug administration, a dental extraction was performed along with blood sampling to determine serum levels of RANKL and OPG. At eight weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the jaw blocks were removed for CT and histological examination.

Results

Overall, three groups of 12 rats were formed. From the fourth to the eighth week, the frequency of stage 3 osteonecrotic lesions in the post-extraction sockets had increased in the control group from 8.33% to 66.6%. In the melatonin and vitamin D groups, the frequency of corresponding stage 3 osteonecrotic lesions increased from 0 to 17% and 0–8.33% respectively.

Conclusion

Oral administration of melatonin prior to tooth extraction in alendronate-exposed rats reduces the risk of developing osteonecrotic jaw lesions.