Biomarkers for Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible biomarker for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the bisphosphonate group (n=36), who were injected once a week with zoledronic acid, and the control group (n=12), who were injected once a week with saline. After 6 weeks, surgical intervention was performed, and injections were continued up to 8 weeks. Rats in the bisphosphonate group were then further classified to the ONJ group, and the non-ONJ group, and biomarkers, including CTx, Glu-OC, TRACP 5b, RANKL, and OPG, were assessed at baseline (T0), at surgical intervention (T1), and at sacrifice (T2). Histomorphometric analysis for quantification of osteoclasts was performed. Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that TRACP 5b levels and the RANKL/OPG ratio were significantly decreased over time in the ONJ group compared with the non-ONJ group (p