Effects of Long-Term FK 506 Therapy on the Alveolar Bone and Cementum of Rats

Abstract

Cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK 506) exert complex, incompletely understood actions on bone. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of long-term tacrolimus therapy on the periodontium. Rats were treated for 60, 120, 180, and 240 days with daily subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/kg body weight of FK 506. After the experimental period, we obtained serum levels of calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After histological processing, the alveolar bone and cementum, as well as volume densities of bone (V(b)) and osteoclasts (V(o)), were assessed at the regions of the lower first molar. There was a tendency toward a statistically significant decrease in ALP levels with FK 506; however, serum calcium levels increased during the long periods. At 60, 180, and 240 days of treatment with FK 506, we did not observe V(b) and V(o) alterations. At 120 days of treatment, there was an evident decrease in V(b), but it did not show alveolar bone loss. We did not observe any alterations of cementum among rats treated with FK 506. It may be concluded that FK 506 administration did not induce side effects on the periodontium.

Ex Vivo Expanded Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Bone Marrow Transplantation Improved Osteogenesis in Infants with Severe Hypophosphatasia

“…We previously reported that ALP activity rose with 1-month administration of FK506 in rat studies (18). By contrast, Nassar et al reported that at 60, 180, and 240 days of treatment with FK506 in rats, ALP levels significantly decreased (27). Patient 2 was treated with FK506, and the ALP value increased again 12 months after cessation of FK506.…”

Antiplatelet drugs reduce the immunoinflammatory response in a rat model of periodontal disease

“…We have used a well‐established model of experimental periodontitis that presents histological and immunological characteristics similar to those of periodontal disease in humans . After 3 d of ligature‐induced gingival inflammation, we expected to see an acute inflammation compatible with inflammatory gingivitis without periodontal support involvement.…”

Clopidogrel Enhances Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation Following Periodontitis

“…The ligature-induced periodontitis in the rat has many of the characteristics seen with human periodontal disease (Graves et al 2008; Nassar et al 2009). Removal of the pathogenic stimulus represented by the ligatures initiates resolution of inflammation and triggers a repair process (Liu et al 2006; Coimbra et al 2011; Pacios et al 2012).…”