Ultrastructural alterations of the inferior alveolar nerve in wistar rats after alendronate administration per os: hypothesis for the generation of the "numb chin syndrome"

摘要: Background: The neurological condition called ‘numb chin syndrome’, is a mental nerve neuropathy that frequently associated with an underlying malignancy or infections. Bisphosphonate (BP) uptake has been recently identified as new etiology for the syndrome. mechanism lies behind this and involvement of BPs have not elucidated, yet. can cause inhibition endothelial cell proliferation, migration adhesion, well impairment capillary tubes formation. In humans, result in reduction vascularization bone metabolic diseases, like Paget’s disease. We hypothesize BPs, taken per os, are capable producing degenerative changes to inferior alveolar may neuropathy. Methods: order support our hypothesis we conducted animal study, Wistar rats, was approved by Bioethics Committee Institution. animals were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A, experimental group consisted 3 given Alendronate os B, control also animals, which normal saline. duration 13 weeks. samples observed under Transmission Electron Microscope. Results: Degenerative defined as: vacuolization myelin sheath, detachment axon, local thickening and/or disruption sheath. Local axon found both groups. Myelin sheath only seen whereas more profound group. Interestingly, thickness reduced Conclusions: Possible pathophysiological mechanisms causatively related histological alterations are: 1. blood vessels nerve, 2. toxicity effects on Schwann neuronal cells, 3. innate acquired immunity. last may, probably, from presence microbial films cytokine production. provides scientific evidence after administration helps understanding possible mechanisms.