Effect of doxycycline on surgically induced osteoclast recruitment in the rat

The influence of systemic doxycycline on the number of surgically induced osteoclasts was studied in young albino rats. Forty Wistar rats, aged 50 d at the start of the experiments, were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (20 animals) received 0.5 mg/ml doxycycline added to the drinking water. Mucoperiosteal flaps were raised on the palatal aspect of left maxillary molars in all animals. Two rats from each group were killed daily during a post-operative period of 10 d, and specimens were prepared for light microscopy. Cellular counts in serial sections of crestal bone indicated a delay of initial surface colonization of 2 d. Statistical analysis revealed a smaller number of osteoclasts in doxycycline-treated animals as compared to control rats. In conclusion, systemic doxycycline suppresses recruitment of osteoclasts following surgery.