Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by loss of connective tissue and alveolar bone, and
osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by a systemic impairment of bone mass and microarchitecture. To date, the association between
periodontitis and
osteoporosis has remained to be fully elucidated. In the present study, an experimental rat model of
periodontitis was used to explore the effects of oestrogen deficiency‑induced
osteoporosis on the maxillary alveolar bone. Forty‑four female, six‑month‑old Sprague‑Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control,
ligature, ovariectomized (OVX), and OVX +
ligature. One month after
ovariectomy, rats in the
ligature and OVX +
ligature groups received
ligatures on their first and second maxillary molars for 1 month. Fluorescent labelling was performed prior to sacrificing the animals. At the end of the experiment, the maxillae and serum were collected and subjected to micro‑computed tomography analysis, confocal laser‑scanning microscopic observation, Van Gieson's
fuchsin staining, tartrate‑resistant
acid phosphatase staining and ELISA.
Ligatures slightly reduced the alveolar bone mineral density (BMD) and bone formation rate, but significantly reduced alveolar crest height (ACH).
Ovariectomy reduced the alveolar BMD, impaired the trabecular structure, reduced the bone formation rate and increased the serum levels of
bone resorption markers. Animals in the OVX +
ligature group exhibited a lower alveolar BMD, a poorer trabecular structure, a reduced ACH, a lower bone formation rate and higher serum levels of
bone resorption markers compared with those in the control group. The results of the present study showed that
ovariectomy enhanced
alveolar bone loss and reduced the ACH of rats with experimental
periodontitis. Thus, post‑menopausal
osteoporosis may influence the progression of
periodontitis.