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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Microhardness Measurements on Tooth and Alveolar Bone in Rodent Oral Disease Models
Published on: April 26, 2024
Parathyroid hormone protects against periodontitis-associated bone loss
S P Barros1, M A D Silva, M J Somerman
1Department of Morphology, Division of Histology, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Av. Limeria, 901, 13414-903 Piracicaba SP, Brazil. sbarros@fop.unicamp.br
Abstract:
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) functions as a major mediator of bone remodeling and as an essential regulator of calcium homeostasis. In addition to the well-established catabolic effects (activation of bone resorption) of PTH, it is now recognized that intermittent PTH administration has anabolic effects (promotion of bone formation). The aim of this study was to investigate whether intermittent administration of PTH in rodents would block the alveolar bone loss observed in rats when a ligature model of periodontitis is used. Morphometric analysis showed that intermittent PTH administration (40 microg/kg) was able to protect the tooth site from periodontitis-induced bone resorption. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the number of inflammatory cells at the marginal gingival area in sections obtained from animals receiving PTH compared with control animals. These findings demonstrated that intermittent PTH administration was able to protect against periodontitis-associated bone loss in a rodent model.
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