EC Dental Science

Aim: This study investigates the comparative effects of two antiosteoporotic drugs, alendronate and ibandronate, on the submandibular glandular tissue of osteoporotic albino rats. While both drugs share similar mechanisms of action, their specific impacts on non-skeletal tissues, particularly salivary glands, remain under explored.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four albino rats weighing 200-250g were divided into four groups: Group I (control), Group II (osteoporotic), Group III (osteoporotic treated with alendronate), and Group IV (osteoporotic treated with ibandronate). Osteoporosis was induced using two doses of betamethasone injections (150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). Antiosteoporotic drugs were administered daily for 30 days. Histological and histochemical analyses were performed on salivary gland specimens collected post-treatment, with histomorphometry and data analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Results showed significant histological changes in treated groups compared to control. The alendronate group exhibited swollen serous acini with evidence of cellular alterations and ductal dilation. The ibandronate group demonstrated atrophy and shrinkage of acini with interstitial inflammation. Both treatments induced varying degrees of fibrosis, with the ibandronate group showing more pronounced fibrosis and cellular infiltration. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between groups in mean number of acini. Group 1 exhibited the highest mean area (183.48 ± 4.24), while Group 3 showed the lowest (128.58 ± 7.24).

Conclusion: Both alendronate and ibandronate adversely affected submandibular glandular tissue in osteoporotic rats, with ibandronate causing more pronounced histological and histochemical alterations. These findings highlight the potential side effects of antiosteoporotic therapies on salivary gland function, warranting further research into their implications for oral health in patients undergoing long-term treatment.

 Keywords: Alendronate; Ibandronate; Osteoporosis; Salivary Gland

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