PROPRANOLOL ADMINISTRATION HAS A NON-STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE OSSEOINTEGRATION PROCEDURE OF STAINLESS-STEEL IMPLANTS

This experimental animal study aimed to assess the potentially positive effect ofthe administration of beta-blocker propranolol on the osseointegration procedure ofstainless-steel bone implants. It was performed in two groups (study, control), consistingof 15 adult (12-weeks old) male Wistar albino rats each. In the proximal metaphysisof each tibia of all animals, a custom designed stainless-steel screw was implantedunder sedation on day 0. Starting on the first postoperative day, study group animalsreceived 2.5mg/kgr (1mg/ml) of propranolol daily intraperitoneally. Controlgroup received the same volume of saline. On day 29, all animals were euthanized,both tibias from each animal were harvested and the implants’ pullout-strength andremoval torque were assessed. All animals completed the study and all harvestedtibias were suitable for evaluation. Both parameters were different between the twogroups, favoring the study group, albeit in a non-statistically significant manner. Thepullout-strength and its Standard Deviation was 104.221.3 Newtons (study group)versus 90.818.2 Newtons (p=0.103), removal torque was 5.40.8 Newtons/cm (studygroup) versus 4.90.7 Newtons/cm (p=0.09). No statistically significant correlationwas found between the animal weight and the pullout strength (p=0.159, rs=-0.279),the animal weight and the removal torque (p=0.628, rs=-0.101) and between the pulloutstrength and the removal torque (p=0.193, r=0.258). Propranolol administrationseems to act positively on the osseointegration procedure of stainless-steel bone implants,albeit in a non-statistically significant manner. Further studies will be neededto reach secure conclusions regarding the potential beneficial effect of beta-blockerpropranolol on bone implants’ osseointegration.Key words: Propranolol–osseointegration–prosthetic implants–prosthesis–betaadrenergic blocker agents